Objective: To compare plasma lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) level in ovarian cancer patients and women without ovarian pathology.
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Hradec Králové.
Methods: The method for LPA level analyze with its specification by capillary electrophoresis using indirect ultraviolet detection has been implementated. Since the beginning of this project venous blood samples from 103 patients (60 patients with ovarian cancer, 43 patients without ovarian pathology) have been obtained.
Results: Plasma LPA levels were elevated in ovarian cancer patients (sigma LPA Med 19.9 micromol/l, Range 4.5-42.7 micromol/l). Patients without ovarian pathology (n=35) (sigma LPA Med 2.6 micromol/l, Range 0.9-22.9 micromol/l, P<0,001) had statistically significant lower plasma LPA level compared with ovarian cancer patients.
Conclusion: Lysophosphatidic acid appears useful as diagnostic marker of ovarian cancer.