Tissue Human Kallikrein 11 (HK11) Evaluation

Human kallikrein 11 is a member of the kallikrein family of secreted serine proteases. Elevated serum hK11 levels were found in 60% of men with prostate cancer and 70% of women with ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to examine if hK11 tissue expression has prognostic and/or predictive role in ovarian cancer. The concentration of hK11 in 104 ovarian tumor cytosolic extracts was quantified by highly sensitive and specific immunoassay and correlated with clinicopathological variables and survival over a median follow-up period of 67 months. hK11-positive tumors were more frequently associated with early stage (Stage I/ II) disease, pre/peri menopausal status and patients who exhibit complete or partial response to chemotherapy (p