Growth factors in ovarian cancer.

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha are two peptides which bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor. One hundred and seventy-four samples from 133 patients with ovarian cancer were examined for EGF and TGF alpha. EGF was detected in only 27.6% of samples while TGF alpha was present in 88.5%. The median values for TGF alpha presence were at least 10-fold greater than those of EGF. There was no statistical difference between either TGF alpha or EGF levels and degree of differentiation of the tumours. There was no statistical difference between stage three and four in relation to concentration of either peptide. Median concentration did not differ significantly among the histological sub-groups.