Abstract
ObjectivesPrior 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 methodsSerum Amphiregulin levels were quantified using a commercially available ELISA in 85 normal female donors. ResultsThe 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). ConclusionsDetection 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.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 460-463 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Clinical Biochemistry |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Amphiregulin
- Breast cancer
- Cytokine
- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
- Serum biomarker
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Biochemistry