A number of growth factors, including platelet derived growth factors A and B (PDGF-A and -B), insulin-like growth factor I and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and some of their receptors, have been reported to be expressed by MM cells, and each has the potential to play a role as a growth stimulant for MM or to modify immune responses to the tumour.
In a previous paper, we described elevated expression of the PDGF A-chain transcript in human malignant mesothelioma cell lines, compared to normal mesothelial cells.