Biomarker for Earlier Detection of Ovarian Cancer
October 18, 2011 | Terry Sharrer
Epidemiologists have long suspected a link between infertility and ovarian cancer, and researchers at Rush University Medical Center may have found the smoking gun-an autoimmune antibody to mesothelin-a protein of mesothelial cells that line several body cavities and internal organs. Among other things, mesothelium secretes plasminogen which breaks down fiber accumulations that otherwise can cause infertility and/or ovarian cancer. This study also suggests that the anti-mesothelin antibody could be a screening biomarker for high risk and early stage ovarian cancer detection. MORE