1. CA-125 Cancer Antigen-125 Discovered in l981
The 125th antibody produced against the ovarian cancer cell line that was being studied

2. CA-125 (cancer antigen 125 or carbohydrate antigen 125) also known as mucin 16 or MUC16
encoded by the MUC16 gene
MUC16 is a member of the mucin family glycoproteins
a tumor marker or biomarker that may be elevated in the blood of some patients with specific types of cancers or other benign conditions

3. 22,000 amino acids
largest membrane associated mucin

4. Function
creates a hydrophilic environment that acts as a lubricating barrier against foreign particles and infectious agents on the apical membrane of epithelial cells
the cytoplasmic tail of MUC16 has been shown to interact with cytoskeleton

5. Biomarker most frequently used biomarker for ovarian cancer detection
CA-125 has limited specificity for ovarian cancer
may also be elevated in other cancers, including endometrial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer
may also be elevated in a number of relatively benign conditions, such as endometriosis several diseases of the ovary, menstruation and pregnancy.

6. suppressing the response of natural killer cells
can protect tumor cells from the immune system

7. Tests First test was radioimmunoassay
Commercial ELISA is now available
Monitoring levels in postmenopausal women appears significant to diagnose ovarian cancer early.