Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)- and β2-like activities in malignant pleural effusions caused by malignant mesothelioma or primary lung cancer

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Abstract
We investigated the levels of TGF-β in malignant pleural effusions (MPE) caused by malignant mesothelioma (MESO) or primary lung cancer. TGF-β levels in MPE caused by MESO were 283.9 ± 219.2pM (mean plusmn; s.d.) and were three to six times higher than those due to primary lung cancers (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). We also evaluated TGF-β1- and β2-like activities in MPE using specific polyclonal antibodies. Although TGF-β1-like activity could be detected in all cases, TGF-β2-like activities were detected in five of seven in MESO and in a few cases with primary lung cancer. These results demonstrate that the levels of total TGF-β and TGF-β2-like activity may be clinically useful to differentiate MESO from primary lung cancer. Our data also suggest that TGF-β may help further characterize the clinical features of MESO.

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