TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytochrome c in human astrocytic tumors: a short-term follow up and correlation with survival

To evaluate the association of signals of apoptosis namely, TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release in cytoplasm with survival rate to determine the potential use of such parameters as predictive markers for patients with astrocytomas. We measured TGF-beta1, TNF-alpha and cytoplasmic cytochrome c in 30 astrocytic tumors Grade II, III and IV. We found that TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release in Grade IV tends to be significantly lower than those in Grade II, whereas TGF-beta1 did not significantly change in the different grades. Patients with astrocytic tumors having elevated cytochrome c showed a better survival rate compared to those with less release. There is neither a correlation shown between TNF-alpha and cytochrome c release nor between TNF-alpha and patient survival. TGF-beta1 was positively correlated with cytochrome c release. Patients showing such correlation had increased survival rate over 18 months follow up period. These data suggest that TGF-beta1 and cytochrome c may be useful prognostic markers that help patients' stratification and in adjusting the disciplines of therapy.