Research Article

Serum Levels of Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor in Patients with Liver Metastases from Breast Cancer
Michael H.R. Eichbaum^a, Thomas M. de Rossi^a, Sepp Kaul^a, Thomas Bruckner^b, Andreas Schneeweiss^a, Christof Sohn<sup>a

a</sup>Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and
^bDepartment of Clinical Social Medicine, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Tumor Biol 2007;28:36-44 (DOI: 10.1159/000097701)

  Key Words

• Hepatocyte growth factor
• Scatter factor
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Liver metastases
• Tumor marker

  Abstract

Objective: Recent studies have shown that the pleiotropic cytokine hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) and its receptor c-Met play major roles in the malignant progression of numerous tumors. For patients with breast cancer liver metastases, increased serum levels of HGF/SF have been reported. We studied the relationship between the clinical course of the disease and the serum levels of HGF/SF in such patients. Methods: We examined 51 patients treated for breast cancer liver metastases. Serum concentrations of HGF/SF were measured before each therapy cycle and compared to the corresponding tumor marker levels. Results: Mean serum levels of HGF/SF in patients with liver metastases were increased above the reported reference levels of primary breast cancer patients. Serum levels of HGF/SF were correlated with tumor marker levels in a logarithmic relation (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). In some cases serum concentrations of HGF/SF changed similarly to the course of the corresponding tumor markers. Conclusions: Serum levels of HGF/SF are associated with the clinical course of metastatic breast cancer patients with liver metastases. Further studies are required to clarify the potential value of the HGF/SF serum concentration as a tumor marker. HGF/SF and its receptor c-Met should be further evaluated as therapeutic targets.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Michael H.R. Eichbaum, MD
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg Medical School
Voss-Strasse 9, DE-69115 Heidelberg (Germany)
Tel. +49 6221 56 37 345, Fax +49 6221 56 8599
E-Mail Michael_Eichbaum@med.uni-heidelberg.de

  Article Information

Received: February 10, 2006
Accepted after revision: May 23, 2006
Published online: December 1, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 39