Ectopic hCGbeta expression by epithelial cancer: malignant behaviour, metastasis and inhibition of tumor cell apoptosis.
Ectopic expression of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is now a recognized phenomenon in 20-40% of all common epithelial carcinoma arising from mucosal epithelia such as bladder, cervix, lung and naso-pharynx. Recent studies have shown that it acts as an autocrine growth factor by inhibiting apoptosis. Structural homology and in vitro studies suggest that it may achieve this by inhibition of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) receptor complex. Such a molecular mechanism would go some way to explaining ectopic hCGbeta's association with poor prognosis and tumors that will rapidly progress to metastasis.
Iles
R K
RK
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Social and Health Research, Middlesex University, Queensway, Enfield Middlesex EN3 4SA, UK. ray@iles.net
D017209:Apoptosis; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human