Measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin by carboxyl terminal peptide assay in patients with cervical neoplasm
Chen, R.J.; Huang, S.C.; Chen, C.K.; Chang, D.Y.; Yen, M.L.; Chow, S.N.; Hsieh, C.Y.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 93(11-12): 916-920
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0929-6646 PMID: 7633194 Document Number: 426701
The aim of this study was to investigate whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by preinvasive cancer and the early stages of invasive cancer. One hundred and fifty-two patients with either various grades of preinvasive cervical carcinoma or microinvasive carcinoma, and 46 normal women used as controls, were enrolled in this study. A carboxyl terminal peptide beta-hCG (CTP-beta-hCG) assay with a sensitivity of 0.2 mIU/mL was used to measure serum levels. The results showed that the serum beta-hCG levels among normal control, preinvasive carcinoma and microinvasive carcinoma patients were not statistically different. Among the factors tested, including the interval since the last menstrual period, age, menopausal status, contraception method and diagnosis, serum hCG levels only correlated with the first factor. Preinvasive cervical carcinoma and microinvasive carcinoma did not result in significantly increased hCG secretion. At present, the CTP-beta-hCG assay is of limited value in the diagnosis of these diseases.