Neurotensinlike immunoreactivity in plasma and tumor tissue from patients with endocrine tumors of the pancreas and gut

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 85; no. 4; p. 881
• Main Authors: Theodorsson-Norheim, E, Oberg, K, Rosell, S, Boström, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1983
• Subjects: Adenoma, Islet Cell - metabolism; Carcinoid Tumor - metabolism; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - metabolism; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Neuropeptides; Pancreatic Neoplasms - diagnosis; Pancreatic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Streptozocin - therapeutic use; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome - metabolism
• ISSN: 0016-5085
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-5085(83)90440-7

Nine of 34 (26%) consecutive patients with different endocrine gastrointestinal tumors had increased levels of plasma neurotensinlike immunoreactivity in the fasting state. This was the case in 6 of 18 (33%) patients with endocrine pancreatic tumors and in 3 of 16 (19%) patients with gut tumors. Only 1 of 13 patients with midgut tumors had increased plasma-neurotensinlike immunoreactivity, despite the fact that most of the normal neurotensin-containing cells are located in the midgut. In 3 of 4 cases the concentration of plasma-neurotensinlike immunoreactivity decreased after streptozotocin or surgical treatment. In 1 patient, increasing levels of plasma-neurotensinlike immunoreactivity were found several months before the onset of clinical symptoms or signs of relapse after surgical treatment. Neurotensin was found in extracts of primary tumors and metastases. Plasma-neurotensinlike immunoreactivity in patients with "neurotensinomas" represents more than one molecular form, including neurotensin(1-13) and neurotensin(1-8). Neurotensin(1-8) in plasma may be a degradation product of neurotensin(1-13) released from the tumor tissue. We have not been able to relate any specific symptoms to elevated plasma-neurotensinlike immunoreactivity.