Association of Pre- and Postoperative Plasma Levels of Transforming Growth Factor β1 and Interleukin 6 and Its Soluble Receptor with Prostate Cancer Progression

For patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, preoperative plasma levels of TGF-beta(1) and IL-6sR are associated with metastases to regional lymph nodes, presumed occult metastases at the time of primary treatment, and disease progression. After prostate removal, postoperative TGF-beta(1) level increases in value over preoperative levels for the prediction of disease progression.