SP3-50 Serum hepatocyte growth factor levels and mortalities from cancer in apparently healthy general population

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and community health (1979) Vol. 65; no. Suppl 1; p. A422
• Main Authors: Otsuka, M, Adachi, H, Hirai, Y, Enomoto, M, Fukami, A, Kumagae, S I, Nanjo, Y, Yoshikawa, K, Esaki, E, Kumagai, E, Yokoi, K, Ogata, K, Tsukagawa, E, Kasahara, A, Murayama, K, Imaizumi, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.08.2011; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Cardiovascular diseases; Mortality
• ISSN: 0143-005X; 1470-2738
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976o.50

IntroductionHepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is elevated in patients with cancer and is a predictor for prognosis. We investigated whether slight elevation of serum HGF level was a marker for subclinical cancer and death in a general population.MethodsApparently healthy 1492 subjects had a health examination in 1999. Subjects with a history of liver disease or malignancies were excluded by a questionnaire. Finally, we measured plasma HGF levels in 1470 subjects. They were followed-up periodically for 10 years. The follow-up rate was 99.3%. We calculated mortalities from cancer by multivariate proportional hazards model.ResultsAt follow-up, 169 subjects had died (61 from cancer, 32 from cerebro-cardiovascular disease and 76 from others). The mean HGF level at baseline was significantly (p<0.01) higher among subjects who died than those who survived (0.26±0.11 vs 0.23±0.09 ng/ml). In a Cox proportional hazard model, age, systolic blood pressure, HGF (HR 1.270; 95% CI 1.059 to 1.523; p=0.009), low albumin and smoking were independent predictors for death from all causes. Age, HGF (HR 1.309; 95% CI 1.042 to 1.654; p=0.02) and low cholesterol were independent predictors for cancer death.ConclusionSlight elevation of HGF may be an early marker of subclinical cancer.