EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR BETA-3 (TGF-BETA-3) ON REACTIVE AND MALIGNANT-CELLS IN ASCITES AND PLEURAL EFFUSION

Patients and Method: The expression of TGF-beta-3 was examined in 64 p atients with reactive and malignant effusion by immunocytochemistry. R esult: In about half of the patients with malignant effusions (especia lly breast cancer, gastric cancer, and carcinomas of unknown primary) TGF-beta positive tumor cells could be detected. We could show here fo r the first time that reactive mesothelial cells could also express TG F-beta. Lymphatic cells were negative in all cases. TGF-beta-3 bioacti vity could also be detected in the effusions studied. In our group of patients with far advanced cancer, the expression of TGF-beta had no c lear-cut clinical or prognostic correlate. However, the expression of TGF-beta on tumor cells should be interpreted as a marker of tumor pro gression, taking into account the fibrogenic, angiogenic and immunosup pressive properties of TGF-beta. Conclusion: Further research is neces sary to answer the question if the 3 isoforms of TGF-beta are coordina tely expressed and to elucidate the involvement of this cytokine in tu mor progression and metastasis.