D1.355 - Impact of mesothelin in women with endometriosis

Mesothelin is a cell surface antigen, expressed in mesothelial cells, including peritoneal mesothelium. Endometriosis affects the peritoneum and causes infertility. Mesothelin may act as marker of peritoneal endometriosis.

Mesothelin concentration in plasma and in peritoneal fluid  was measured by  ELISA in 42 women suffering from endometriosis associated with infertility and 12 women in the control group.

A significantly higher average level of mesothelin concentration in plasma of  endometriosis patients was seen  to the control group  (0.73 and 0.49 ng/ml) (p<0.01). A statistically significant greater mean plasma mesothelin concentration (1.5 and 0.49 ng/ml) was observed in stage III and IV patients compared to patients without endometriosis (p<0.01).  The relationship between mesothelin levels and infertility showed a significant trend towards a higher average level of mesothelin in plasma (0.73 versus 0.49 ng/ml). In peritoneal fluid a higher mean level of mesothelin concentration occurred in patients with primary infertility (0.86±0.001 versus 0.69±0.001) compared to patients with secondary infertility (p<0.01). The concentration of mesothelin in peritoneal fluid of the endometriosis patients was less by 0.55±0.001 ng/ml compared to the concentration of mesothelin in serum, which was 0.73±0.01 ng/ml. 

Elevated levels of mesothelin occurs in women with endometriosis and infertility with a tendency to increase with progression of endometriosis. Mesothelin may serve as a marker for evaluation of the severity of endometriosis.