[Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in fluid from operation fields of breast surgery]

Recently, it is suggested that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is produced by fibroblasts with Interleukin-1. Therefore tumor cells seem to be promoted by HGF in the operation fields. We measured HGF in serum and fluid from operation fields, and evaluated its clinical significance. Fifty-one breast cancer patients who underwent breast surgery were enrolled. Serum HGF was measured on the day before operation and on the first, fifth and seventh postoperative days and fluid HGF on the first and fifth postoperative days, both by ELISA method. Fluid HGF was 10-12 fold higher than serum HGF. This result indicated that fibroblasts in the operation fields probably produced HGF. Moreover, invasive surgery and long operation time induced higher HGF concentrations. Serum HGF concentrations were higher in stage IV cases than in stage I-III cases. This probably means that not only fibroblasts but also breast cancer tissues secrete HGF. Fluid addition to the culture promoted MCF-7 cells in cultivation. We suggest that HGF was produced in the operation fields by fibroblasts and that HGF promotes tumor cells.