Elevated plasma levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2 in patients with disseminated malignant melanoma

Abstract

Overexpression of transforming growth factor-β isoforms (TGF-β1, -β2, -β3) has been previously reported in human melanoma cell lines and tumours. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma levels of TGF-β isoforms in melanoma patients. Significantly elevated levels of TGF-β1 (4.2 x the controls, P = 0.0094) and of TGF-β2 (1.5 x the controls, P = 0.012) but not of TGF-β3 were measured in patients with disseminated but not locoregional melanoma. These results indicate systemic circulation of potentially immunosuppressive peptides of the TGF-β family in end-stage melanoma patients.