Prognostic significance of in situ and plasma levels of transforming growth factor β1, -2 and -3 in cutaneous melanoma

Abstract

Melanoma is an aggressive type of cutaneous malignancy. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β has been demonstrated to be an important mediator of tumor progression. However, to the best of our knowledge, the systemic roles of plasma TGF-β and TGF-β in situ have not been investigated in Han Chinese melanoma patients. The results of the present study demonstrated that the in situ and plasma levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 protein and messenger RNA were significantly elevated in tumor tissues compared with those of normal tissues. The survival rates of the patients which were triple-positive (TGF-β1+, TGF-β2+ and TGF-β3+) were found to be markedly decreased compared to those which were single- (TGF-β1+, TGF-β2+ or TGF-β3+) or double-positive (TGF-β1+, TGF-β2+; TGF-β2+, TGF-β3+; or TGF-β1+, TGF-β3+). These results may therefore contribute to the use of TGF-β as a prognostic biomarker, and to the development of novel therapies for melanoma treatment.