Transforming growth factor α levels in pancreatic fluid

To determine if the level of transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) in the pancreatic fluid (PF) can diagnose intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) versus other cystic lesions of the pancreas in patients.

Pancreatic fluid was prospectively obtained from patients during routine endoscopy and/or operation at Indiana University Hospital. Pancreatic fluid TGF-α levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm tissue was also analyzed by TGF-α immunohistochemistry.

Sixty-nine fluid samples from 58 patients with the following pathologically confirmed pancreatic disorders were analyzed: IPMN (26 patients), serous cystadenoma (6), mucinous cystic neoplasm (9), pseudocysts (5), non-IPMNY associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (6), and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (6). There was no significant difference between the mean PF-TGF-α levels in each category or between different dysplastic grades of IPMN. However, of all the diagnoses examined, only IPMN demonstrated PF-TGF-α levels greater than 95 pg/mL. In low-grade IPMN specimens, TGF-α immunohistochemistry correlated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay levels.

The mean PF-TGF-α levels are not significantly different in IPMN lesions compared with those in other cystic pancreatic lesions, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. However, PF-TGF-α levels more than 95 pg/mL may be useful in diagnosing IPMN. This assertion requires prospective validation.