Prognostic implication of transforming growth factor α in adenocarcinoma of the lung-an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

We examined for transforming growth factora (TGFa) in adenocarcinomatous lesions of the lung tissues excised from 138 patients, with use of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method. TGFa was present in the cytoplasm of the adenocarcinoma. Our objective was to determine if TGFa could serve as a prognostic parameter. We divided 138 patients into two groups according to the concentration of TGFa. Ninety-two patients had a high concentration of TGFa, in over 75% of the tumour cells, while 46 had a low concentration, that is in less than 75% of the cells. The 5-year survival rates of patients with high TGFa and low TGFa were 39% and 64%, respectively (P <0. 05). Our data suggest that evidence of a high immunoreac- tivity of TGFa can serve as a prognostic parameter in adenocarcinoma of the lung. © Macmillan Press Ltd., 1991.