Change of plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to study the correlation between plasma transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 level and radiation-induced mucositis and dermatitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.


METHODS
Blood samples obtained from patients treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) were divided into two groups according to the pre-treatment plasma TGF-beta1 level (> or =7.5 ng/ml as group 1 and < 7.5 ng/ml as group 2). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the measurement of the TGF-beta1 level. Radiation toxicity was evaluated according to Radiation Treatment Oncology Group criteria. Data were analyzed by the generalized estimation equation method.


RESULTS
TGF-beta1 levels of group 1 patients were decreased significantly (P = 0.002) at the end of the treatment. The rate of decrease was 0.12 ng/ml per fraction (P = 0.02). The average TGF-beta1 level in patients who suffered acute radiation morbidity (grade > or =2) was significantly higher (P = 0.0057) than that of those who suffered less (grade < 2).


CONCLUSIONS
A lower pre-treatment plasma TGF-beta1 level and the grade of radiation toxicity both appeared to contribute to the elevated plasma TGF-beta1 after CCRT.
Chen
Hong-Wen
HW
Department of Medical Radiation Technology & Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang
Yue-Cune
YC
Lai
Yuen-Liang
YL
Chen
Yu-Jen
YJ
Huang
Ming-Jer
MJ
Leu
Yi-Shing
YS
Fu
Ying-Kai
YK
Wang
Ling-Wei
LW
Hwang
Jeng-Jong
JJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1