ISSN:
1432-1440
Schlagwort(e):
Epidermal growth factor
;
Transforming growth factor-α
;
Epidermal growth factor receptor
;
Growth factors
Quelle:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Thema:
Medizin
Notizen:
Summary Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) are polypeptides which bind to the EGF receptor (EGFr) and may play a role in cell growth and carcinogenesis. Our study investigated the content of EGF, TGF-α, and EGFr in tumors of the stomach and the colon in comparison with the sourrounding mucosa. EGF was detected in half of the stomach specimens with concentrations between 1 and 9 ng/g weight irrespective of histology. In the colon no EGF was found in the tumor or normal mucosa. In the stomach normal mucosa contained higher TGF-α concentrations (mean 22.4 ng/g) than the tumors (mean 11.8 ng/g), but the difference was not statistically significant because of a wide variation in mucosal values. By contrast, the colon mucosa displayed significantly higher TGF-α concentrations than the tumor tissues (33 ng/g versus 12 ng/g; P 〈 0.01). EGFr content in the gastric mucosa was lower compared to gastric carcinoma (48 fmol/g versus 75 fmol/g) yet not significantly different. In contrast, colorectal tumor specimens disclosed significantly higher concentrations than the mucosal tissues (mean of 155 fmol/g versus 80 fmol/g; P 〈 0.01). In conclusion, TGF-α should not be considered a tumorigenic but a physiological growth factor in the stomach and colon. An elevated EGFr content in colorectal tumors in comparison with the normal mucosa could lead to a growth advantage by an autostimulating mechanism.
Materialart:
Digitale Medien
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00185601
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