ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Transforming Growth Factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) is the most potent inhibitor of the progression of normal mammary epithelial cells through the cell cycle. However, advanced breast cancers are mostly refractory to TGF-beta mediated growth inhibition and produce large amounts of TGF-beta, which may enhance tumor cell invasion and metastasis by its effects on extracellular matrix. Yet, little is known about the association of TGF-beta1 with progression of malignant disease in vivo. In this study, we evaluated the preoperative and postoperative plama level of TGF- in breast cancer and analyzed the utility of plasma TGF-beta1 as possible tumor marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to measure plasma TGF-beta1 level in 45 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and in 15 normal healthy people, and the results were compared with clinicopathologic characteristics. RESULTS: The mean plasma TGF-beta1 levels were 1.73+/-0.47 ng/ml in normal people and 5.05+/-1.41 ng/ml in breast cancer patiens. In 37 operated patients, the preoperative plasma TGF-beta1 level was 6.34+/-1.34 ng/ml and decreased to 4.48+/-1.07 ng/ml in patients with follow-up after surgery and 4.74+/-0.79 ng/ml in patients with chemotherapy. However, there was no significant correlation between plasma TGF-beta1 level and known prognostic factors including tumor size, LN involvement, tumor grade, hormone receptor status, and pathology. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the plasma TGF-g level can be a tumor marker in breast cancer patients and the association with progression of breast cancer will be explored in future studies.