Carbohydrate antigen 125: a new biomarker in heart failure.

Tumor markers are used for the screening, diagnosis, and stratification of cancer disease, but recently the role of some tumor markers has also been explored in the context of patients with heart failure (HF). Of all tumor biomarkers, carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) has emerged as a potential biomarker in HF by showing correlations with clinical, hemodynamic, and echocardiographic parameters indicative of the severity of the disease. Interestingly, fluctuations in serum levels of CA-125 after treatment were also found, suggesting potential utility in a serial and long-term therapeutic intervention assessment. It has also been reported that in patients with HF, there is a significant correlation between CA-125 and brain natriuretic peptide levels. The aim of this article is to review the data currently available on serum levels of tumor markers in patients with chronic HF, focusing attention on the potential clinical use of CA-125.