Role of Human Epididymis Protein 4 in Tumour Angiogenesis

Abstract

HE4 is a secretory protein. It is expressed in reproductive tract and respiratory epithelium in normal individuals. Serum level of HE4 is raised in various solid cancers that give us an advantage to use it as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. It is an established biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer [EOC]. It has also shown the significance in various other malignancies like cancer of endometrium, cervix, lung and breast. Studies show HE4 as an independent prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Its raised values in cancer signify its role in oncogenesis. HE4 promotes angiogenesis via STAT3 signalling pathway. In this paper we have tried to illustrate about human epididymis protein 4 and its role in tumour angiogenesis.