Detection of serum endothelin contents in patients with malignant tumors and its clinical significance

Aim To study the content and clinical significance of serum endothelin-1(ET-1) in patient with malignant tumors. Methods The contents of serum ET-1 in 85 patients with malignant tumors, 30 patients with benign diseases and 30 normal indivaduals were detected by radioimmunoassay. Results (1) The mean concentrations of serum ET-1 in normal individuals and in non-tumor patients were (46. 9 ±1 23. 1 ) μg/L and (51. 1 ± 30. 9) μg/L, respectively, while in patients with malignant tumors it was (190. 1 ± 135. 2 - 382. 4 ± 190. 1) μg/L. (2)There was no significant difference between the mean serum contents of ET-1 in normal individuals and non-tumors pstients(P0. 05), but the level of serum ET-1 in patients with malignant tumors were significantly higher than that in above two groups(P 0. 001 ). (3) When the mean content plus twice standard deviation of serum ET-1 in normal individuals was as a threshold value, that is, the value was dafined as the positive clinical value to. diagnose cancer, the positive rates of patients with different malignant tumours were 72% - 100%. Conclusion Serum ET-1 contents could be used as a better tumor index for maligant tumor screening and accessory diagnosis.