Normal range of serum Amphiregulin in healthy adult human females.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Prior to large studies in breast cancer patients, we have sought to establish the normal range of a potential serum biomarker, Amphiregulin, in healthy women and to determine whether sampling during the menstrual cycle influences the detected Amphiregulin levels.

DESIGN AND METHODS:

Serum Amphiregulin levels were quantified using a commercially available ELISA in 85 normal female donors.

RESULTS:

The range of circulating Amphiregulin was 0-4467 pg/mL. The majority of women had no detectable circulating Amphiregulin (n=54), and only five women had levels exceeding 500 pg/mL. Serum Amphiregulin levels did not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle (n=7 women).

CONCLUSIONS:

Detection of circulating Amphiregulin in a significant minority of healthy women suggests that it may not have the specificity necessary for a population screening tool; however its potential utility for monitoring response to treatment or disease progression should be examined in breast cancer cases.

• Authors: Esther A Peterson, Shabana Shabbeer, Paraic A Kenny
• Journal: Clinical biochemistry (Clin Biochem) Vol. 45 Issue 6 Pg. 460-3 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1873-2933 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22306169 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• AREG protein, human
• Amphiregulin
• EGF Family of Proteins
• Glycoproteins
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Amphiregulin
• EGF Family of Proteins
• Female
• Glycoproteins (blood)
• Health
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (blood)
• Menstrual Cycle (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Protein Stability
• Reference Values
• Young Adult