Hyperprolactinemia in acute myeloid leukemia and indication of ectopic expression of human prolactin in blast cells of a patient of subtype M4.
The sera of 28 patients with acute myeloid leukemia AML--subtypes M1 to M6 were screened for human prolactin (h-PRL). Serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), beta-estradiol, free T4 (tetra-iodotyronine) and testosterone were also determined. It was found that in 16 of the 28 patients h-PRL was significantly elevated while all other endocrine values were normal. In a patient subtype M4 with elevated serum h-PRL we demonstrate by immunoblotting that the hormone and its dimer are present in the blast cells. This may reflect ectopic synthesis due to altered expression of homeobox genes and a requirement of h-PRL as a growth stimulant of the leukemic myeloblast.
Hatfill
S J
SJ
Radiobiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
Kirby
R
R
Hanley
M
M
Rybicki
E
E
Böhm
L
L
D000368:Aged; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D015479:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
D011388:Prolactin