Elevated serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 in Epstein-Barrvirus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) of non-keratinizing type are strongly asso ciated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV and its gene products induce the synthesis and/or release of transforming growth factor beta I (TGF-beta I) from human cells and platelets. TGF-beta I is an immunosuppressive cytokine , and many tumors are known to secrete it, to counter the host immune respo nse. To determine the potential role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis o f NPC, 53 serum samples from patients with EBV-associated NPC and 20 from h ealthy donors were analyzed for total and active TGF-beta content using ELI SA. Serum samples for TGF-beta content were also analyzed from NPC patients at different clinical stages of the tumors. Significantly higher (p < 0.01 ) levels of active and total TGF-beta were found in the sera of NPC patient s than in control sera. The ratio of active:total TGF-beta was also signifi cantly (p < 0.01) increased in the NPC sera. Levels of this cytokine were a lso significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the sera of patients with advanced s tages of tumor compared to patients with earlier stages. Furthermore, highe r levels were seen in patients with relapsing than with remitting tumors; e ven higher levels were observed in NPC patients who died of the tumor. Our data suggest a role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of NPC; therefore, it may prove to be a valuable biomarker molecule for the diagnosis and pro gnosis of NPC. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:396-399, 1999. (C) 1999 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.