TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytochrome c in human astrocytic tumors: a short-term follow up and correlation with survival.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of signals of apoptosis namely, TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release in cytoplasm with survival rate to determine the potential use of such parameters as predictive markers for patients with astrocytomas.


METHODS
We measured TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytoplasmic cytochrome c in 30 astrocytic tumors Grade II, III and IV.


RESULTS
We found that TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release in Grade IV tends to be significantly lower than those in Grade II, whereas TGF-beta1 did not significantly change in the different grades. Patients with astrocytic tumors having elevated cytochrome c showed a better survival rate compared to those with less release. There is neither a correlation shown between TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release nor between TNF-alpha and patient survival. TGF-beta1 was positively correlated with cytochrome c release. Patients showing such correlation had increased survival rate over 18 months follow up period.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that TGF-beta1 and cytochrome c may be useful prognostic markers that help patients' stratification and in adjusting the disciplines of therapy.
Mabrouk
Gamal M
GM
Oncology Diagnostic Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. dr.gamal_mabrouk@hotmail.com
Ali
Ehab M M
EM
El-Rehany
Mahmoud A
MA
El-Samoly
Hatem M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000032:analysis*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D045304:Cytochromes c