Expression and significance of folate receptor alpha in serum of patients with endometrial carcinoma

HE Shu-ming; JI Xiao-dan; LI Mei-ling

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2015.14.035

Abstract：Objective To detect serum concentration of folate receptor alpha and to investigate its significance in the clinical application of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Methods Thirty-seven patients with endometrial carcinoma, 33 patients with endometrial hyperplasia and 10 healthy women were enrolled in this study. Sera were used to detect the the folate receptor alpha using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.The expression level of serum folate receptor alpha in different groups was analyzed. The correlation between the expression level of serum folate receptor alpha and age of patients, menopause, tumor morphology, myometrial invasion and clinical stage was was also analyzed in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Results Level of folate receptor alpha was successfully detected in serum of healthy women and patients with endometrial diseases. Level of folate receptor alpha in patients with endometrial carcinoma was much higher than that in patients with endometrial hyperplasia. Level of folate receptor alpha in patients with endometrial hyperplasia was also higher than that in the healthy controls, with significant difference (P < 0.05). In the endometrial carcinoma group,the levle of folate receptor alpha in serum was correlated with the clinical stage and myometrial invasion (P < 0.05), however, Level of folate receptor alpha was not correlated with the age of patients, menopause andtumor morphology(P > 0.05). Conclusion The Serum level of folate receptor alpha can be detected, and its expression will contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and predicting the prognosis of patients with endometrial carcinoma.