Hormonal polypeptides and amine metabolites in small cell carcinoma of the lung, with special reference to stage and subtypes

Abstract

To elucidate the ectopic hormonal pattern in patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung, plasma ACTH, serum calcitonin, serum gastrin, plasma glucagon, serum insulin, plasma secretin, plasma VIP, serum growth hormone, serum hCG/LH, the total of serum hCG and hCG-&subunit, serum a-subunit, serum human placental lactogeu, urine ADH, urine 5-HIAA, urine VMA, urine HVA, and urine hCG-LH were measured prior to therapy in 75 patients. Twenty-two patients (29%) had elevated plasma ACTH, and 18 of these had concomitant increased values of corticosteroids in a 24-hour urine sample. Forty-eight patients (64%) were found to have elevated serum calcitonin, and one-third of the patients were diagnosed as having the ectopic ADH syndrome. Serum gastrin concentrations were increased in 20% of the patients, but the elevations were marginal in almost all cases. None of the remaining substances was found to be significantly elevated. Concentrations of plasma ACTH, serum calcitonin, and urine ADH were not found to be correlated with the stage of the disease, and no correlation of these substances with the histological subtypes of small cell carcinoma was disclosed.

Plasma calcitonin in small cell lung cancer: prognostic significance

“…The incidence of raised plasma calcitonin in this study is lower than that for some other studies (McKenzie et al, 1977;Gropp et al, 1980;Hansen et al, 1980) …”

“…Small cell carcinoma of lung (SCCL) is frequently associated with abnormally raised plasma calcitonin (Gropp et al, 1980;Hansen et al, 1980) Time (months) Figure 1 Comparison of survival of the 39 patients who had elevated calcitonin (-) (Figure 2). The incidence of raised plasma calcitonin in this study is lower than that for some other studies (McKenzie et al, 1977;Gropp et al, 1980;Hansen et al, 1980) …”

Serum-based protein biomarkers for detection of lung cancer

“…Elevated serum levels of ACTH have been reported in 25-30% of patients with SCLC [124,125]. Conflicting results have been reported concerning a possible correlation between serum levels of the hormone and stage of disease, treatment response, and survival of patients with lung cancer [126]. The common precursor to ACTH is pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), which is abnormally elevated in the plasma of lung cancer patients with epidermoid, adeno-and small cell type [127].…”

Serum tumour markers in lung cancer: history, biology and clinical applications

“…Elevated serum levels of ACTH have been reported in 25-30% of patients with SCLC [150][151][152]. The clinical picture of ectopic Cushing's syndrome is characterized by oedema, hypokalaemia or impaired glucose tolerance without obesity, striae and osteoporosis.…”