Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) levels in plasma of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with tamoxifen.
Blood levels of transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) were measured in 20 patients with metastatic breast cancer before and during treatment with the antiestrogen tamoxifen, and in a control group of 7 patients with primary breast cancer before and during adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. The results of this study reveal typical time patterns for TGF-beta 2 in relation to the clinical outcome. Patients in remission showed a significant increase of TGF-beta 2 in the first 4-6 weeks of therapy, followed by a subsequent decrease. Patients who did not respond showed unchanged or diminished TGF-beta 2 values after start of therapy, followed by a later increase preceding the clinical manifestation of tumor progression. Thus, TGF-beta 2 blood levels after 4 weeks of tamoxifen treatment can be used as an early marker for prediction of response.
Kopp
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Jonat
W
W
Schmahl
M
M
Knabbe
C
C
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D013629:Tamoxifen