J. Dickson et al., Pretreatment plasma TGF beta 1 levels are prognostic for survival but not morbidity following radiation therapy of carcinoma of the cervix, INT J RAD O, 48(4), 2000, pp. 991-995
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Onconogenesis & Cancer Research
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
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.