Calcitonin in human gastric mucosa and carcinoma

Abstract

The localization of immunoreactive calcitonin (IR-CT) in the human gastric mucosa and tumor tissues was studied using an immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. A small number of IR-CT-containing cells were observed in both infant and adult gastric antral mucosa and the ratio of IR-CT-containing cells to G cells was about 1:50-100. Moreover, tissue content of IR-CT in normal antral mucosa was 2.37 +/- 0.35 ng/g wet weight. IR-CT-containing cells and G cells decreased with the progress of chronic atrophic gastritis and were totally absent in intestinal metaplastic glands. IR-CT was detected in G cells, suggesting a paracrine relation between gastrin and CT. IR-CT was not found in tumor cells of 35 gastric adenomas and 40 well differentiated adenocarcinomas. On the other hand, it was demonstrated in a very small number of tumor cells in 4 of 46 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, and in a good number in 3 of 7 scirrhous argyrophil cell carcinomas. IR-CT in plasma could serve, therefore, as a tumor marker of scirrhous endocrine cell carcinoma, and its production in cancer cells was considered to be eutopic rather than ectopic.

Expression of RUNX3 protein in human gastric mucosa, intestinal metaplasia and carcinoma

“…Further analysis will be required to address this possibility. Of interest is that RUNX protein was also found in a few G cells located in the pyloric portion [29]. It is suggested that RUNX3 may play a physiologic role in G cells.…”

Biomarkers in neuroendocrine tumors

“…MTC tumors frequently arise as a part of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)-syndrome. Calcitonin may also be arisen in some pancreatic endocrine tumors, particularly those that are multi-hormone producing and in some nonendocrine cancers (52).…”

Circulating markers for endocrine tumours of the gastroenteropancreatic tract

“…Calcitonin may also be raised in some pancreatic endocrine tumours, particularly those that are multihormone producing and in some non-endocrine cancers. 203 The calcitonin family of peptides (includes CGRP, amylin, adrenomedullin and intermedin-I)…”

“…Calcitonin may also be raised in some pancreatic endocrine tumours, particularly those that are multihormone producing and in some non-endocrine cancers. 203 The calcitonin family of peptides (includes CGRP, amylin, adrenomedullin and intermedin-I) Calcitonin gene-related peptide occurs in two forms: CGRP I (a-CGRP) and CGRP II (b-CGRP) that are encoded by the two calcitonin genes on chromosome 11. 204 CGRP has a widespread distribution in the nervous system.…”