Hormones and receptors in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Receptors for several polypeptide hormones have been demonstrated in cells of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Some of these polypeptides stimulate or inhibit cell division. Therefore, these receptors have been sought in carcinomas arising from these tissues, and several examples have been reported. In some instances, stimulation of tumor growth by the corresponding ligand has been demonstrated or blocked by a receptor antagonist. In experimental carcinogenesis, the incidence of tumors has been influenced by some of the same hormones. Receptors and binding proteins for steroid hormones also have been reported in carcinomas of the pancreas. Manipulation of sex steroid hormones has yielded both inhibition and enhancement of growth of human and rat pancreatic cancers. These observations imply that trophic or growth inhibiting polypeptide and steroid hormones may serve as promoters or inhibitors of carcinogenesis in gastrointestinal organs and may influence the growth of established carcinomas. Receptor blockers may provide a clinical approach for slowing the growth of some gastrointestinal cancers.
Longnecker
D S
DS
Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H.
D000818:Animals; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D011964:Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone / Q000502:physiology*
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D011964:Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone