Prostacyclin, thromboxane and prostaglandin F2 alpha; plasma levels in breast cancer.

In this study, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, TXB2, and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 alpha plasma levels (i.e., theprostacyclin, thromboxane, and PGF2 alpha-metabolites, respectively) were determined, using a radioimmunoassay, in 32 breast cancer patients (21 without evidence of disease and 11 with metastases), and in a control group of 16 patients. Neither group of breast cancer patients showed an increased plasma level of any of these products compared with the control group. This study suggests that the increased 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, TXB2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha levels which have been observed in breast cancer tissues are not detectable in the plasma.