Measuring Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator in Breast Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): J. Gr0ndahl-Hansen, F. Bach, P. Munkholm-Larsen
Primary Institution: Technical University of Denmark
Hypothesis
Is there a difference in tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels in plasma between healthy individuals and breast cancer patients?
Conclusion
Breast cancer patients have significantly higher levels of t-PA in their plasma compared to healthy donors, and this increase correlates with the extent of disease.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean t-PA concentration in healthy donors was 2.4 ng/ml, while in breast cancer patients it was 5.3 ng/ml.
- 40% of breast cancer patients had t-PA levels above the cut-off point of 5.0 ng/ml.
- 90% of patients with massive tumor burden had elevated t-PA levels.
Takeaway
Doctors found that breast cancer patients have more of a certain protein in their blood than healthy people, which might help them understand how serious the cancer is.
Methodology
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure t-PA levels in plasma from 34 healthy donors and 92 breast cancer patients.
Limitations
The study does not clarify the source of elevated t-PA levels in plasma.
Participant Demographics
34 healthy donors and 92 breast cancer patients, with varying tumor burdens.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
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