title: The expression of subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by nontrophoblastic, nonendocrine, and endocrine tumors.
abstract: The value of the subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as tumor markers is controversial. The production of hCG-alpha and hCG-beta by 214 nontrophoblastic exocrine and by 416 endocrine tumors was analyzed by using immunocytochemical technics. hCG-alpha immunoreactivity was found in 131 of 416 endocrine and in 8 of 214 nonendocrine tumors. hCG-beta could not be visualized specifically with the use of two polyclonal antisera and one monoclonal antibody. The authors conclude that (1) hCG-alpha is neither a tissue nor a tumor-specific marker; (2) hCG-alpha is produced by a variable proportion (21-55%) of endocrine tumors arising in various organs but not by ileal carcinoids, paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas, nor Merkel cell tumors; (3) hCG-alpha is a marker of malignancy only in pancreatic endocrine tumors; and (4) hCG-beta is rarely, if ever, produced by tumors.
mesh_terms: D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D005260:Female; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D009380:Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue / Q000032:analysis*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior