Serum concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in patients withbenign and malignant prostatic diseases

Introduction: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is found to be most markedly elevated in prostate cancer tissue. We determined the concen tration of serum TGF-beta 1 in patients with cancer of the prostate (CaP), and correlated them to tumour stage and serum PSA. Methods: Serum TFG-beta 1 levels and serum PSA levels were determined in 80 patients with untreated Cap (Group I:pT1-3pNoMo: n = 58; Group II: T1- 3pN+Mo: n = 6; Group III T1 -4NxM+: n = 16). Patients with histologically confirmed BPH (n = 50) sewed as controls. Results: Median TGF-beta 1 levels were not different in CaP- a nd in BPH-patients (32.86 ng/ml and 35.15 ng/ml respectively; p > 0.05). Fu rthermore there was no increase in TGF-beta 1 concentrations with advancing tumour stage (Group I: 32.86 ng/ml; Group II 34.3 ng/ml; Group III: 33.44 ng/ml; p > 0.05). No correlation with PSA levels could be established (Spea rman r = -0.19; p = 0.05). Conclusion: TGF-beta 1 was found to be non-discr iminative between BPH and CaP. Furthermore no TGF-beta 1 increase could be observed with advancing tumour stage in patients with CaP.