Review Article

Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Review of Pathology, Molecular Biology, and Biomarkers

Table 1

Summary of published studies examining serum biomarkers for PAS.

MarkerStudyTotal casesControl cases (type)YearMedian MoM (PAS)Median MoM (control)TrimesterPAS histological confirmationComment

PAPP-ADesai et al. [69]8266 (previa)20141.680.98FirstYesAssayed 81–95 days GA
Thompson et al. [58]516344 (normal)
155 (previa)
20151.221.01FirstYesAssayed 11–13 weeks GA
Lyell et al. [70]736699 (previa)2015N/AN/AFirstNoAssayed 10–13 + 6 weeks GA
Büke et al. [82]8869 (previa)20181.200.865FirstYesN/A
β-HCGHung et al. [80]93499321 (nonaccreta)19991.7+/−1.11.2+/−1.1Second2 of 28 (remainder clinical diagnosis)Assayed 14–22 weeks GA
Dreux et al. [81]69552 (randomly selected routine age-matched maternal serum samples)20121.501.00Second35 of 69 had surgical treatment—unclear number having histological confirmation
Desai et al. [69]8266 (previa)20141.001.01SecondYes
Thompson et al. [58]516344 (normal)
155 (previa)
20150.811.04FirstYesAssayed 11–13 weeks GA
Büke et al. [82]8869 (previa)20181.420.93FirstYesN/A
AFPZelop et al. [57]2514 (previa)19922.3–5.5Normal rangeSecondYesOnly 45% of PAS had elevated AFP (>2.0 MoM)
Kupferminc et al. [99]4424 (emergency caesarean hyster; no PAS on histopath)19932.7–40.3Normal rangeSecondYesOnly 45% of PAS had elevated AFP. (≥2.5 MoM)
Hung et al. [80]93499321 (nonaccreta)19991.7+/−1.01.1+/−0.4Second2 of 28 (remainder clinical diagnosis)Assayed 14–22 weeks GA
Dreux et al. [81]l69552 (randomly selected routine age-matched maternal serum samples)20121.230.99Second35 of 69 had surgical treatment—unclear number having histological confirmation
Lyell et al. [70]736699 (previa)2015N/AN/ASecondNoAssayed 15–20 weeks
Oztas et al. [95]316204 (previa) + 61 (PAS managed conservatively)20161.28+/−0.87+/−0.37SecondYesAssay 16–20 weeks. Cases = PAS requiring hysterectomy

PAPPA: pregnancy-associated plasma protein A; GA: gestational age; AFP: alpha fetal profile; β-HCG: human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit; PAS: placenta accreta syndrome; MoM: multiples of the median.