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Transforming Growth Factor ß2 (TGF-ß2) Levels in Plasma of Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated with Tamoxifen¹

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology [A. K., W. J.] and Clinical Chemistry [M. S., C. K.], University Hospital Eppendorf, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany

Blood levels of transforming growth factor ß2 (TGF-ß2) were measured in 20 patients with metastatic breast cancer before and during treatment with the antiestrogen tamoxifen, and in a control group of 7 patients with primary breast cancer before and during adjuvant tamoxifen treatment. The results of this study reveal typical time patterns for TGF-ß2 in relation to the clinical outcome. Patients in remission showed a significant increase of TGF-ß2 in the first 4–6 weeks of therapy, followed by a subsequent decrease. Patients who did not respond showed unchanged or diminished TGF-ß2 values after start of therapy, followed by a later increase preceding the clinical manifestation of tumor progression. Thus, TGF-ß2 blood levels after 4 weeks of tamoxifen treatment can be used as an early marker for prediction of response.

¹ Part of this work was supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 6/29/95. Accepted 8/30/95.

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