title: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in plasma of breast cancer patients: correlation with stage and rate of progression.
abstract: Plasma levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were measured in 58 female patients with breast cancer and in 9 normal female control subjects by means of a specific radioimmunoassay. Levels in normal control subjects were all below the lower limits of detection by the assay (1.56 fmol/100 microliters plasma). Two of 17 (12%) patients with stage 2 breast cancer had detectable plasma levels. Among patients with Stage 4 breast cancer 13/41 (32%) had significantly elevated levels (greater than 2 times the lower limit of sensitivity of the assay). Patients with elevated PDGF levels had a significantly greater degree of metastatic involvement and significantly shorter survival. Apart from being a marker of aggressive high bulk breast cancer, PDGF may be involved in the acceleration of growth of some metastatic breast tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ariad
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Bezwoda
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor