الفهرس 
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Abstract
human CA 125, encoded by the MUC16 gene, is a giant mucin-like glycoprotein present on the cell surface of tumor cells and produced by mesothelial cells but apparently it is not released by lymphoma cells. CA 125 is a tumor antigen that was defined by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) OC 125 more than 20 years ago. This study showing an association between high serum CA 125 levels and mediastinal and/or abdominal involvement by lymphoma and the presence of effusion indicates that increased CA 125 serum levels may represent the response of pleuropericardial or peritoneal mesothelial cells to the tumor. It has been proposed that lymphokines released by NHL might represent the stimulus for CA 125 production. Serial measurements of serum CA 125 during and at the end of treatment and during follow-up showed strong relationships between CA 125 level and response to treatment and survival in NHL. All patients presenting with high CA 125 levels had normalizations of this marker when they achieved complete remission (CR). While, CA 125 levels remained high in patients with elevated levels at diagnosis who did not respond completely. Serum CA 125 level is an indicator of response and survival in NHL patients. Higher response and survival rates were present in patients with normal CA 125 levels than in those with high CA 125 levels. Our data indicate that serum CA 125 is a useful tumor marker in NHL patients that may improve staging.