title: Elevated levels of HMGB1 in cancerous and inflammatory effusions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, it has become obvious that the HMGB1 protein can act as a proinflammatory and proangiogenic mediator when actively secreted by macrophages or passively released from necrotic cells playing an important role in the pathogenesis of several diseases including cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The absolute and relative amount of HMGB1 was measured with an ELISA in different effusion types.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amount of HMGB1 protein in the samples differed between 0.0004% and 0.0025% of the total sample protein. The mean values of transudates were significantly (p<0.001) lower than the mean values of exudates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HMGB1, a so-called danger signalling protein, was found to be highly expressed in human pleural and peritoneal effusions due to cancer and inflammation. Compared to transudates the average level of HMGB1 was significantly higher in exudates. These results underline the characteristics of HMGB1 as a possible target for treatment in advanced cancer as well.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. ZHG, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Dietz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krisponeit
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bullerdiek
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D024243:HMGB1 Protein