Normal range of serum Amphiregulin in healthy adult human females.
OBJECTIVE
Prior to large studies in breast cancer patients, we have sought to establish the normal range of a potential serum biomarker, Amphiregulin, in healthy women and to determine whether sampling during the menstrual cycle influences the detected Amphiregulin levels.


METHODS
Serum Amphiregulin levels were quantified using a commercially available ELISA in 85 normal female donors.


RESULTS
The range of circulating Amphiregulin was 0-4467 pg/mL. The majority of women had no detectable circulating Amphiregulin (n=54), and only five women had levels exceeding 500 pg/mL. Serum Amphiregulin levels did not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle (n=7 women).


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of circulating Amphiregulin in a significant minority of healthy women suggests that it may not have the specificity necessary for a population screening tool; however its potential utility for monitoring response to treatment or disease progression should be examined in breast cancer cases.
Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. esther.peterson@einstein.yu.edu
Esther A
EA
Peterson
Shabana
S
Shabbeer
Paraic A
PA
Kenny
D000328:Adult; D066258:Amphiregulin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D055550:Protein Stability; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
C587848:AREG protein, human; D066258:Amphiregulin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins