title: TGF-β expression in vulvar cancer.
abstract: Vulvar cancer accounts for about 3-5% of all female genital carcinomas. TGF-P protein is a member of a superfamily of cytokines that regulate cell functions. A correlation between this protein and many neoplastic processes was reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In our study we analyzed TGF-β expression in vulvar tumor among patients with diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma (with and without inguinal nodes metastases).
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin embedded blocks obtained from vulvar tissues and inguinal nodes (from 31 patients with vulvar carcinoma FIGO ll-IV) were prepared. Next, the hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. Monoclonal antibody NCL-TGF-beta was used for immunohistochemical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher expression of TGF-beta in cancer cells corresponds to more advanced cancer stages (FIGO). A positive correlation between TGF-beta and metastases, as well as a number of inguinal nodes metastases was observed. The ratio between the number of stained cells in vulvar tumor and of inflammatory cells proved to be higher in FIGO stage III than IV Possibly TGF-beta increase in vulvar tumor contributes to the breakdown of immunological processes limiting cancer progression. Higher TGF-beta expression leads to metastasis in regional lymphatic nodes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TGF-beta overproduction is observed in vulvar neoplastic processes. In early stages of carcinogenesis TGF-beta inhibits cancer cell proliferation, but in more advanced stages it accelerates cancer progression by inhibiting the immunological response.
authors: Przemysław
authors: P
authors: Karoń
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Olejek
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Olszak-Wasik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D014844:Vulva / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta