Introduction/Background The need for a sensitive and specific biomarker to detect early disease is essential to revolutionize ovarian cancer treatment. In this study we compared between the levels of CA125 in the serum and in the vaginal secretions of women with and without ovarian cancer. We also compared between the levels of CA125, IL2, IL13, and HE4 in the vaginal fluid in 3 groups: healthy women, patients after chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) and patients before treatment or surgery.

Methodology In this study we analyzed sixty-five women in our Gynecological Oncology Unit. CA-125 levels in the serum were measured using Human CA125/MUC16 ELISA and Luminex. IL-2, IL-13 and HE4 were analyzed using Luminex.

Results CA-125 levels were significantly higher in vaginal secretions than in the serum of all groups. There was no statistical difference between the neoadjuvant subgroup compared to the healthy group. We therefore, investigated three additional biomarkers; IL-2, IL-13 and HE4, using only vaginal secretions. Of these, IL-2 and IL-13 showed promising results with statistical significance in differentiating between healthy and ovarian cancer patients. HE4 showed decreased levels in patients that received neoadjuvant treatment that were not significant when compared to the healthy group.

Conclusion This study demonstrates the promise of using vaginal secretions for detection of ovarian cancer. Further research is required.