Browse by author
Transforming growth factor alpha, factor beta-1 and factor beta-2 in breast cyst fluid
Lookup NU author(s): Professor Thomas Lennard
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Women who have palpable breast cysts lined by apocrine metaplastic epithelium (intracystic Na/K < 3) may have a higher risk of breast cancer than those who have breast cysts lined by flattened epithelium (intracystic Na/K > 3). Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) exerts a proliferative effect on many cell types and may play a role in mammary carcinogenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) stimulates the proliferation of mesenchymal cells but inhibits mammary epithelial cell proliferation and may exert a protective effect against breast cancer development. The aim of this study was to measure the distribution of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(2) in the two sub-groups of breast cysts. TGF-alpha was undetectable in all but 2 of the 46 samples of breast cyst fluid tested. TGF-beta(1) ranged from undetectable up to 25.4 ng/ml (n = 46) while the intracystic concentrations of TGF-beta(2) were generally higher, ranging from 0.30 ng/ml to 125 ng/ml (n = 42). There e was no significant difference between the distribution of TGF-beta(1) levels in the 2 cyst groups, but TGF-beta(2) levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the high electrolyte ratio group (Na/K > 3). A negative correlation was found between TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(2) levels in the high electrolyte ratio group (r(s) = 0.605, p = 0.006, n = 19). TGF-alpha is unlikely to play an important role in breast cancer development in women with palpable breast cysts. The significantly higher concentrations of TGF-beta(2) in the high electrolyte ratio group may explain, in part, the lower-risk of breast cancer in this group of women.
Author(s): Lai LC, Siraj Ak, Erbas H, Lennard TWJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Anticancer Research
Year: 1994
Volume: 14
Issue: 6B
Pages: 2805-2809
Print publication date: 01/11/1994
ISSN (print): 0250-7005
ISSN (electronic):
