Study Finds Elevated Serum Survivin Linked to Placental Disorders, Highlighting Its Role in Placenta Previa and PAS

Survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein, plays a crucial role in cell survival and proliferation, and its involvement in placental pathologies has raised interest among researchers. Nevin Yilmaz, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Istanbul, Turkey, and colleagues aimed to investigate the connection between maternal serum survivin levels and placental disorders by comparing these levels in cases of normal placentation, placenta previa, and placenta accreta spectrum.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a prospective cross-sectional study, enrolling 84 pregnant women who were divided into three groups: control (n = 42), placenta previa (n = 24), and PAS (n = 28). Serum survivin levels were quantitatively measured using ELISA, and statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and post-hoc tests.

The researchers discovered that serum survivin levels were significantly higher in the placenta previa (348.3 pg/mL, range: 173.0–776.4) and PAS groups (785 pg/mL, range: 324.50–1122) compared to the control group (177.9 pg/mL, range: 87.3–242.0). These findings suggest a potential link between elevated survivin expression and abnormal placental adherence and invasion.

The study revealed significant associations between elevated serum survivin levels and placental disorders, specifically placenta previa and PAS, suggesting a potential role for survivin in the pathogenesis of these complications. While the cross-sectional design provides valuable insights, the researchers emphasize the need for future longitudinal studies with repeated measurements of serum survivin levels at various gestational stages.

Such studies would help identify thresholds for high-risk pregnancies and assess survivin’s utility in clinical practice. Including non-pregnant controls and examining survivin levels in early pregnancy could further clarify its role in normal and pathological placentation. These longitudinal studies could also explore whether changes in survivin levels precede clinical manifestations of placental disorders, offering opportunities for early intervention.

“Overall, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of placental pathologies and set the stage for future research on biomarkers for placental disorders, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment strategies,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Yilmaz, N., Bakirci, I. T., Sahin, B., Bolluk, G., Can, E., & Dedeakayogullari, H. (2025). Assessment of serum survivin in women with placenta previa and accreta spectrum: A cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89384-4