Serum peptide profiles in patients with carcinoid tumors.
BACKGROUND
Patterns of elevated serum peptides may reveal additional markers and permit better classification of tumors based on (secondary) peptide secretion.


METHODS
Fasting peptide profiles were obtained from 31 carcinoid patients. vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), neurotensin, substance P, gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP), calcitonin, gastrin, and pancreastatin were measured. Peptide elevation patterns were correlated with disease sites, syndrome, and survival.


RESULTS
Elevations in patients were as follows: VIP 0%, PP 13%, neurotensin 10%, substance P 20%, GRP 3%, calcitonin 10%, and gastrin 3%. There were no consistent patterns of elevated peptides with regard to site or syndrome. Pancreastatin was elevated in 81% of profiles and was the only abnormal peptide in 57% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Peptide profile results do not permit improved classification, predict syndrome development, or correlate with survival. In contrast, pancreastatin is elevated in most cases and may be utilized to monitor disease progression and evaluate response to therapy.
Calhoun
Kristine
K
Division of Surgical Oncology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, L223A, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
Toth-Fejel
SuEllen
S
Cheek
Julie
J
Pommier
Rodney
R
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D053379:Chromogranin A; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide / Q000097:blood; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000097:blood; D010187:Pancreatic Hormones / Q000097:blood; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide / Q000097:blood; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000097:blood
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053379:Chromogranin A; D005755:Gastrins; D010187:Pancreatic Hormones; D010455:Peptides; C050836:pancreastatin; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D009496:Neurotensin; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; D002116:Calcitonin