Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐ β1) is a multifunctional factor and is known to affect tumor growth in malignant tumors. The effects of TGF‐β1 on angiogenesis, stromal formation, and immune function suggest its possible involvement in tumor progression. The authors examined whether TGF‐β1 levels may be correlated with angiogenesis, clinicopathologic factors, and survival in patients with surgically resected lung carcinoma.

TGF‐β1 protein was extracted from 53 nonsmall cell lung carcinoma tissue samples (19 squamous cell carcinomas, 33 adenocarcinomas, and 1 adenosquamous cell carcinoma), and its level was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. To assess tumor angiogenesis, microvessel density (MVD) was determined by CD31 immunostaining.

The protein level of TGF‐β1 was 289 picograms per milligram of protein (pg/mg protein), ranging from 94 pg/mg protein to 584 pg/mg protein. The TGF‐β1 protein level was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis compared with patients who were without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.02), and the TGF‐β1 protein level was significantly higher in patients with Stage III disease (TNM classification) compared with patients who had Stage I and II disease (P = 0.03). There was no significant correlation between the TGF‐β1 protein level and any of the other clinicopathologic factors that were considered. A significant positive correlation between TGF‐β1 protein level and MVD was noted (P < 0.01). Furthermore, in patients with adenocarcinoma, a significant correlation between TGF‐β1 protein level and prognosis was detected by multivariate analysis (P = 0.028).

TGF‐β1 seems to affect tumor angiogenesis and to play an important role in tumor progression in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. Furthermore, the TGF‐β1 protein level may be an independent predictor of survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Cancer 2001;91:964–71. © 2001 American Cancer Society.