Glioblastoma, transforming growth factor-β, and Candida meningitis: A potential link

The development of Candida meningitis in a patient following partial resection of a glioblastoma raised suspicion that transforming growth factor (TGF-β), an immunosuppressive cytokine known to be produced by this tumor, would be elevated in his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). By using a highly specific bioassay, the concentration of TGF-β was found to be 609 pg/mL, which was 10-fold greater than the mean CSF TGF-β value in control subjects with no neurologic disease. Increased CSF TGF-β levels were also detected in patients with other central nervous system (CNS) diseases: malignancies and AIDS dementia complex. These findings suggest that TGF-β may play an immunopathogenetic role in the CNS.