Positive correlation of plasma transforming growth factor-beta 1 levels with tumor vascularity in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been implicated in tumor progression by promoting angiogenesis or suppressing immune system. We reported previously that transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is overproduced by human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and that plasma TGF-beta 1 levels are elevated in patients with HCC. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between plasma TGF-beta 1 levels and tumor vascularity as assessed by conventional celiac angiography in 17 patients with HCC. The plasma TGF-beta 1 level did not correlate with tumor size or underlying liver disease. However, we found that plasma TGF-beta 1 levels correlated positively with the tumor vascularity. These results suggest that excessive TGF-beta 1 production may contribute to tumor angiogenesis in HCC.
Ito
N
N
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka, University Medical School, Japan.
Kawata
S
S
Tamura
S
S
Shirai
Y
Y
Kiso
S
S
Tsushima
H
H
Matsuzawa
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta