Jacob M, Richter R, Sehouli J, et al. - The prevalent diagnostic standards for myomas include sonography and clinical examination, and there have been no biomarkers established yet. Researchers here examined if lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), CA 125, and/or insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) declined following the surgical removal of myomas. In addition, they tested the appropriateness of these parameters as potential biomarkers for the presence or recurrence of a myoma. In 83 patients (age 18–50) with a verified diagnosis of myomas and surgical therapy, they determined the blood levels of LDH, CA 125, and IGF-1 at 3 different timepoints: preoperative (T0), 2 days postoperative (T1), and 6 months postoperative (T2). A significant decline in both LDH and IGF-1 was observed in the immediate postoperative days in women with myomas after undergoing uterus-preserving surgeries. They observed correlation of postoperative concentration of IGF-1 with the evidence of new myomas and suggested its potential utility for further monitoring. Based on findings, they conclude that LDH and IGF-1 are influenced by myomas and could possibly be suitable as biomarkers.