Microvesicle-associated tissue factor procoagulant activity for the preoperative diagnosis of ovarian cancer

Background Tissue factor (TF) is involved in tumor growth and metastasis and contributes to venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer, including gynecological malignancies. The diagnostic value of microvesicle-associated TF procoagulant activity (MV TF PCA) in women with suspected ovarian cancer, however, has not been studied. Objective To evaluate MV TF PCA as a diagnostic tool in women with an ovarian mass of unknown etiology and as a predictive biomarker for perioperative VTE. Methods Plasma MVs were isolated by high-speed centrifugation and analyzed for TF-specific PCA by single-stage clotting assay. In addition, plasma TF antigen and soluble P-selectin (sCD62P) were measured by ELISA. Results D-Dimer, MV TF PCA, and sCD62P, but not the tumor marker, CA-125, significantly differentiated patients with malignant (n = 40) from those with benign tumors (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 34). In cancer patients, only D-Dimer and CA-125 correlated with the FIGO stage. An abnormal D-dimer had the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of cancer, while MV TF PCA above the ROC curve-derived cut-off value of 182 U/mL had the highest specificity. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, addition of MV TF PCA conferred diagnostic benefit to the single variables, CA-125 (p = 0.052) and D-dimer (p = 0.019). Perioperative VTE occurred in 16% of cancer patients and was associated with an advanced FIGO stage, but not MV TF PCA. There was no difference in plasma TF antigen levels between study groups. Conclusions MV TF PCA, but not plasma TF antigen, may provide valuable additional information for the diagnostic work-up of women with suspected ovarian cancer.