Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)
High-molecular-weight transmembrane glycoprotein mucin (MUC16) expressed on celomic and müllerian epithelial surfaces.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference RangesU/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
<35.0 U/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<15.0 U/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Shed from cell membranes following mechanical shear stress or malignant proliferation; promotes immune evasion and peritoneal seeding.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (CA 125 High)
- •Ovarian epithelial carcinoma
- •Severe pelvic endometriosis
- •Cirrhotic ascites and peritoneal inflammation
- •Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Low Levels (CA 125 Low)
- •Complete ovarian cancer remission
- •Healthy non-inflammatory gynecological baseline
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for CA 125
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to muc16 ovarian & serosal epithelial mucin
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Cancer Antigen 125 - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]CA 125 Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35322901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125) into overall healthspan optimization.