title: Studies on factors influencing human plasma alpha-MSH.
abstract: The various physiological effects of alpha-MSH, mainly on the CNS and on pigmentation in animal models, are well documented in the literature. Only a few investigators have confirmed similar properties in the human. However, the possible physiopathological role played by this hormone in human melanoma is still poorly defined. In order to approach this subject in a manner as complete as possible, we have performed, during the past four years, three different series of experiments: 1) alpha-MSH measurements in plasma samples from: a. melanoma and other cancer patients, b. whole body UVA irradiated healthy adults, c. circadian rhythm determinations in melanoma patients and in healthy male adults; 2) alpha-MSH measurements in human melanoma tumours; 3) alpha-MSH receptor expression on human melanoma cells in culture involving: a. alpha-MSH radio-binding assays and b. tyrosinase assay. Our results so far show 1) increased alpha-MSH levels in melanoma patients' plasma, alpha-MSH responsiveness to UVA stimulated skin, large immunoreactive alpha-MSH content in melanoma metastases and an alpha-MSH circadian rhythm in some individuals different from cortisol; 2) alpha-MSH receptor expression in melanoma cells could be increased by various effectors able to stimulate melanogenesis.
authors.affiliation: L.O.C.E., Institut Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghanem
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verstegen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Rijcke
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Onderbergen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Libert
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Del Marmol
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arnould
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vercammen-Grandjean
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lejeune
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D002460:Cell Line; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; D000521:alpha-MSH; C029446:MSH receptor; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase