Reduced Plasma Cholinesterase Activity in Patients With Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma cholinesterase activity and stage of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Materials and Methods: Plasma cholinesterase activities were studied in 47 women with GTN, 30 healthy women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and 44 non-pregnant, healthy women. Results: Mean (+/- SD) plasma cholinesterase activities in healthy pregnant women (7738 +/- 2291 units/ml) and in GTN patients (7719 +/- 2262 units/ml) were significantly lower than in healthy non-pregnant women (10379 +/- 2380 units/ml) (p<0.05). Mean plasma cholinesterase activities in GTN patients did not differ (p>0.05) between low-risk (good prognosis) and high-risk (poor prognosis) groups as assessed by the revised International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification of trophoblastic neoplasia. Conclusions: Patients with GTN and healthy pregnant women have reduced plasma cholinesterase activity compared with non-pregnant women. This is the first published report of reduced plasma cholinesterase activity in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia according to FIGO staging.