Study of plasma transforming growth factor-β 1 level as a useful tumor marker in various cancers

Abstract

Background : Many investigators have found transforming growth factor- 1 (TGF- 1) to be elevated in tumors. Changes in responsiveness to TGF- 1 have been linked to malignant transformation, tumor progression and tumor regression. Many malignant cell lines of epithelial or hematopoietic origin are refractory to the antiproliferative effects of TGF- 1. However, a little is known about the association of TGF- 1 with progression of malignant tumor. Methods : In this study, we measured the plasma level of TGF- 1 in various cancer patients and evaluated the utility of plasma TGF- 1 as a possible tumor marker. Plasma TGF- 1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cancer patients and normal controls. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as tumor marker were compared with TGF- 1 in the aspects of sensitivity and specificity . Result s : The mean of plasma TGF- 1 levels was 1.2 19 ± 0.834 ng/ml in normal controls, 5.491 ± 3.598 ng/ml in breast cancer, 12.670 ± 10.386 ng/ml in lung cancer, 5.747 ± 3.228 ng/ml in hepatocellular carcinoma and 10.854 ± 7.996 ng/ml in cervical cancer. In comparison with CEA and AFP, TGF- 1 is more sensitive. Conclusion : We conclude that the high levels of TGF- 1 are common in the plasma of cancer patients. These result s suggest that the plasma TGF- 1 level can be a potent tumor marker in various cancer patients.