Clinical significance of high levels of survivin and transforming growth factor beta-1 proteins in aqueous humor and serum of retinoblastoma patients

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values of survivin and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-B1) expression in aqueous humor and serum of retinoblastoma (RB) in comparison to the conventional RB marker lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and to elucidate a possible correlation between them and the clinicopathological features of the disease. Methods This prospective, comparative study included 88 newly diagnosed children with RB and 80 age-matched controls with ophthalmic conditions other than tumors prepared for intraocular surgeries. Concentrations of survivin, TGF-B1, and LDH were measured in serum and aqueous humor before and 6 months after completion of therapy. Results High serum and aqueous humor concentrations of the three proteins were detected in RB patients before treatment compared to the control group ( P