Transforming growth factor β isoforms (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3) messenger RNA expression in laryngeal cancer

PurposeCancerogenesis is a multistage process controlled by many cytokines, including growth factors. The aim of the study was the comparison of transcriptional activity of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) genes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and adjacent nonneoplastic tissues.Materials and MethodsTissues samples were obtained from 32 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in histologic grades G1 to G3 who underwent surgical treatment at the ENT Clinics of Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. Quantification of gene expression was performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique.ResultsIn tumor cells, expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 isoforms (P < .001) was higher than in normal tissues. There was a positive correlation between the expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 genes in tumors (R = 0.78, P = .0000) and adjacent normal tissues (R = 0.77, P = .0000).ConclusionsThe results suggest that TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 messenger RNAs may be useful as molecular markers in distinguishing cancer from nonneoplastic tissues in laryngeal area.