Immune Network  2001;1(2):143-150

doi:10.4110/in.2001.1.2.143

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

Hoon SHIN 1 ; Chang Ki LIM ; In Young CHOI ; Doo Yun LEE ; Dong Yong NOH ; Min Hee RYU ; Hyo Suk LEE ; Yung Jue BANG ; Jong Sup PARK ; Seung Won JIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA); alpha-fetoprotein(AFP); cervical cancer; enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay(ELISA); transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-1); tumor marker

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

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. RESULTS: 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.