Epidemiology
Higher Lp(a) is linked to worse five-year recurrence-free prognosis in 296 endometrial cancer patients (Clin Lab 2025)
Original title: Correlation between Lipoprotein(a) and Endometrial Cancer Prognosis: a Retrospective Cohort Study
This retrospective cohort study analysed Lp(a) levels in 296 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer at Ganzhou Hospital, affiliated with Nanchang University, between January 2017 and January 2022, classifying prognosis as favourable (no recurrence within five years post-surgery) or poor. Overall, 72.3% (214/296) had a favourable prognosis; stratified by Lp(a), patients in the lower quantile (Q1, 122.2 g/L or below) had a favourable prognosis rate of 77.7% versus 66.9% in the higher quantile (Q2, above 122.2 g/L), a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). In multivariate regression, log2-transformed Lp(a) was independently associated with prognosis at two upper-normal-limit thresholds (OR 1.7248, 95% CI 1.0288-2.8918, and OR 2.0365, 95% CI 1.1843-3.5018), and interaction analysis confirmed Lp(a) significantly influenced outcome. This is a novel application of Lp(a) as a prognostic marker outside cardiovascular disease, in a modest single-centre cohort that the authors say needs independent validation.
Original abstract
Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is a malignant tumor arising from the endometrial epithelium and is among the most prevalent gynecological malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that lipid profiles, hyperglycemia, and other metabolic factors play a role in EC pathogenesis. However, research on the association between lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and EC prognosis remains limited.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed Lp(a) levels in patients diagnosed with EC at Ganzhou Hospital, affiliated with Nanchang University, between January 2017 and January 2022. Lp(a) concentrations were measured post-admission, and patient prognosis was categorized as favorable or poor. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: The study included 296 EC patients, out of whom 72.3% (214/296) had a favorable prognosis, defined as no recurrence within five years post-surgery. The overall healing rate was 72.3% (214/296). When stratified by Lp(a) levels, patients in the first quantile (Q1 ≤ 122.2 g/L) had a favorable prognosis rate of 77.7% (115/148), whereas those in the second quantile (Q2 > 122.2 g/L) had a rate of 66.9% (99/148), with a statistically significant difference between groups (p < 0.05). In the multivariate regression model, the log2-transformed Lp(a) values and their corresponding ORs (95% CIs) for prognosis at two upper normal limits (ULN) were 1.7248 (1.0288 - 2.8918) and 2.0365 (1.1843 - 3.5018), respectively. Interaction analysis indicated that Lp(a) levels significantly influenced EC prognosis.
Conclusions: Lp(a) is strongly associated with EC prognosis and holds potential clinical significance. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.