Apolipoprotein A1 as a potential biomarker in the ascitic fluid for the differentiation of advanced ovarian cancers.

CONTEXT: Primary ovarian cancer and ovarian metastasis from non-ovarian cancers in advanced stage are closely mimicking conditions whose therapeutics and prognosis are different. OBJECTIVE: To identify biomarkers that can differentiate the two variants of advanced ovarian cancers. METHODS: Gel-based proteomics and antibody-based assays were used to study the differentially expressed proteins in the ascitic fluid of fourteen patients with advanced ovarian cancers. RESULTS: Programmed Cell Death 1-Ligand 2, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein A4 and anti-human fas antibody are differentially expressed proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Apolipoprotein A1 with a 61.8 ng/ml cut-off is a potential biomarker with the best differentiating statistical parameters.