Quantification of epidermal growth factor in human breast cyst fluids: correlation with dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate and electrolyte concentrations.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA)-sulphate and [Na+] and [K+] were assayed in 78 cyst fluids from patients with a palpable breast cyst. Epidermal growth factor was detected in all but 2 cysts, the mean value +/- SEM being 506.2 +/- 39.3 ng/ml, with a range of 0-1,599 ng/ml. When the cyst fluids were sub-divided according to their [Na+]:[K+] ratio, group A cyst fluids ( [Na+]:[K+] less than 3) had a significantly higher (p less than 0.001) level of EGF than group B cyst fluids ([Na+]:[K+] greater than 3). Furthermore, the relationship between EGF and [Na+] and [K+] and between EGF and DHA-sulphate seemed to differ between the 2 cyst types and each cyst type was therefore analyzed separately.

• Authors: K Smith, W R Miller, J A Fennelly, J N Matthews, W N Scott, A L Harris
• Journal: International journal of cancer (Int J Cancer) Vol. 44 Issue 2 Pg. 229-32 (Aug 15 1989) ISSN: 0020-7136 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2527206 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Electrolytes
• Proteins
• Dehydroepiandrosterone
• Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
• Epidermal Growth Factor

Topics

• Aged
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (analogs & derivatives, analysis)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
• Electrolytes (analysis)
• Epidermal Growth Factor (analysis)
• Female
• Fibrocystic Breast Disease (analysis)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Proteins (analysis)
• Radioimmunoassay