Inhibin A Is Downregulated During Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer

The study aimed to evaluate the levels of Inhibin A, a glycoprotein involved in human reproduction and endocrine-responsive tumors, in 28 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The patients were prospectively monitored before treatment, after completing chemotherapy (3 cycles of FEC and 3 cycles of Docetaxel), and two years post-chemotherapy. Using the Ultrasensitive Inhibin A ELISA, the results showed a significant decrease in Inhibin A levels post-chemotherapy (p<0.005) and at the two-year follow-up (p<0.001), with no significant difference between the post-chemotherapy and two-year follow-up levels (p=0.744). The conclusion drawn was that chemotherapy significantly reduces Inhibin A concentration, potentially indicating suppression of ovarian function and serving as a marker for chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. Additionally, Inhibin A may act as a tumor marker for breast cancer, where an increase in its levels could signal cancer recurrence.