SERUM FOLATE RECEPTOR ALPHA LEVELS IN PATIENTS OF EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CARCINOMA

High expression of FRA is observed in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors. This study is aimed to determine of serum folate receptor alpha levels in patients of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and to investigate the relationship between serum folate receptor alpha levels and serum CA125 levels and histopathological characteristics in patients of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma and 56 patients with benign ovarian tumors. The subjects’ blood was collected to measure serum folate receptor alpha levels and serum CA125 levels. Information of clinical and subclinical characteristics were collected. Results: Median of serum folate receptor alpha levels in patients of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is higher than those with benign ovarian tumors (1683,0 compared with) 6.1, p < 0.001). With the cut-off point > 209.8 pg/mL, serum folate receptor alpha test has the diagnostic value of epithelial ovarian carcinoma with Se = 84.6%, Sp = 98.2%, PPV = 95, 65%, NPV = 93.22%, AUC = 0.978. Levels of serum alpha folate receptor were highly correlated to levels of serum CA125, tumor grade, and clinical stage of the disease. Conclusions: We suggest that serum alpha folate receptor is a highly promising biomarker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Key words: serum folate receptor alpha, epithelial ovarian carcinoma.