Change in CA 125 levels after the first cycle of induction chemotherapy is an independent predictor of epithelial ovarian tumour outcome

Background: CA 125 assays enable treatment response monitoring in ovarian cancer. Patients and methods: This multicentric study was carried out to assess the prognostic value of the CA 125 change after the first and the second courses of induction chemotherapy (CT). Of the 494 stage IIc-IV patients, 194 had a surgical second look, 397 (80.4%) relapsed and 382 (77.3%) died from cancer. Median (range) follow-up time was 34 months (3-215 months). Results: In Cox models, CA 125 change after the first course (P 50% after the first course with a normal CA 125 before the second course identify patients with good prognosis. Both criteria retained a significant value in predicting second-look findings by univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Among well-established prognostic factors in ovarian cancers, the CA 125 change after first course of CT was independent prognostic factors for both achievement of pathological complete response and OS.