HE4

Generality

HE4 is the abbreviation used to identify a tumor marker that is particularly sensitive in "identifying cancer of the ovary", which in Europe represents about 5% of female cancers and in Italy affects roughly 4,000 / 5,000 women every year.

The relevance of HE4 in oncological gynecology is due to the fact that the expression of this marker is limited in normal tissue of the reproductive tract and respiratory epithelium, while it is overexpressed in ovarian cancer.

What's this

HE4 is the acronym for Human epididymis protein 4, a glycoprotein identified for the first time in the epididymis (the portion of the testis that acts as a reservoir for spermatozoa, secreting substances useful for their vitality and mobility).

In addition to the testes, human epididymal protein 4 is also expressed in the female reproductive system and, as anticipated, increases in the presence of ovarian cancer.

Because it is measured

HE4 is a glycoprotein produced in large quantities when a woman is prone to ovarian cancer. It is therefore a very important marker for detecting this pathology.
HE4 is more specific than CA 125 (acronym for Cancer Antigen 125).

The dosage of both substances allows us to understand if the greatest quantity of carbohydrate (or carbohydrate) antigen 125 is produced by a tumor form of the ovaries or if it depends on other benign pathologies (cysts, endometriosis, pelvic inflammations, etc.).