Expression of insulin-like growth factor receptors I and II in normal human lung and in lung cancer

• Published in: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology Vol. 119; no. 11; p. 665
• Main Authors: Kaiser, U, Schardt, C, Brandscheidt, D, Wollmer, E, Havemann, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.11.1993
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - chemistry; Bronchi - chemistry; Bronchi - cytology; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - chemistry; Carcinoma, Small Cell - chemistry; Carcinoma, Small Cell - ultrastructure; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemistry; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms - chemistry; Lung Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Receptor, IGF Type 1 - analysis; Receptor, IGF Type 2 - analysis; Tumor Cells, Cultured - chemistry; Tumor Cells, Cultured - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 0171-5216
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01215985

Insulin-like growth factors are potent mitogenic factors in human lung cancer in vitro, acting via specific receptors. Using monoclonal antibodies we demonstrate the expression of insulin-like growth factor receptor I in bronchial epithelial cells of normal lung and in primary lung cancer (22/24 cases), being most prominent in squamous cell carcinoma. Electron microscopy on lung cancer cell lines reveals a distinct reaction pattern on the plasma membrane. Immunoreaction with a specific antibody directed against the insulin-like growth factor receptor II suggests a weak expression in primary lung cancer. Our findings underline the significance of the autocrine pathway of insulin-like growth factors in lung cancer.