Pretreatment plasma TGF beta 1 levels are prognostic for survival but not morbidity following radiation therapy of carcinoma of the cervix

Purpose: To determine whether pretreatment plasma-transforming growth facto r beta 1 (TGF beta1) levels are prognostic for tumor control and late morbi dity following radiation therapy in carcinoma of the cervix. Methods and Materials: The study was comprised of 79 patients undergoing ra diotherapy with curative intent for Stage I-III carcinoma of the cervix, TG F beta1 levels were analyzed using ELISA, Late morbidity was measured using the France-Italian glossary. Data were available for the pretreatment leve ls of circulating tumor markers that represent disease burden, and for peri pheral blood lymphocyte radiosensitivity measured as SF2, Results: Pretreatment TGF beta1 levels were a significant prognostic factor for survival and local control. There were weak significant correlations o f TGF beta1 levels with disease stage and the levels of circulating tumor m arkers (CA125, TPA), There was a weak significant correlation between TGF b eta1 levels and normal cell radiosensitivity (lymphocyte SF2), There was no relationship between TGF beta1 levels and grade of morbidity and pretreatm ent TGF beta1 Levels were not a significant prognostic factor for the proba bility of developing late morbidity, Conclusion: In carcinoma of the cervix, pretreatment TGF beta1 levels refle ct tumor burden and are a significant prognostic factor for survival. Despi te an underlying weak relationship of TGF beta1 levels with intrinsic norma l cell radiosensitivity, pretreatment levels are not prognostic for the pro bability of developing late complications. This finding does not rule out t he possible usefulness of measurements toward the end of treatment once tum or burden has been reduced. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.