SERUM CONCENTRATION OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER

The serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was examined in 34 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Although no significant difference was observed between HGF concentration and the site of met astasis, serum HGF levels were slightly higher in patients with liver metastasis and in patients with multiple metastatic sites than in pati ents with other lesions. Significantly higher levels of serum HGF were observed in patients with progressive metastasis of breast cancer com pared with those with stable metastasis. The patients with high HGF le vels exhibited a significantly shorter survival rate than those with l ow HGF levels. Circulating HGF levels may be a useful indicator for th e progression of metastatic lesions and the prognosis of patients with metastatic breast cancer. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.