von Willebrand factor antigen levels in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a protein that mediates platelet adherence t o the subendothelium during primary hemostasis. High plasma vWF concentrati ons have been reported in patients with various types of cancer, such as he ad and neck, laryngeal and prostatic cancer, probably representing an acute phase reactant. In the present study we determined the plasma levels of vW F antigen (vWF:Ag) by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in 128 female pati ents with breast cancer as well as in 47 women with benign breast disease a nd in 27 healthy female controls. The levels of vWF:Ag were 170.7 +/- 78 U/ dl in patients with cancer. 148.4 +/- 59 U/dl in patients with benign disea se and 130.6 +/- 45 U/dl in controls (P <0.005). We also detected a signifi cant increase in the levels of vWF:Ag (P <0.0001) in patients with advanced stages of the disease (stage IV = 263.3 +/- 113 U/dl, stage IIIB = 194.0 /- 44 U/dl) as compared to those with earlier stages of the disease (stage I = 155.3 +/- 65 U/dl, stage IIA = 146.9 +/- 75 U/dl). In conclusion. vWF l evels were increased in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease, a nd these levels correlated with tumor progression.