Human chorionic gonadotropin and related glycoprotein hormones in lung cancer cell lines

G. Bepler, G. Jaques, H. K. Oie, A. F. Gazdar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Twenty-five non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 42 small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), one extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma, 4 carcinoid, and 13 non-lung cancer cell lines were analyzed for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and related glycoprotein hormones. HCG or its subunits were present in 72% of NSCLC, 10% of SCLC, one extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma, 3 4 carcinoids and 2 13 non-lung cancer cell lines. Related glycoprotein hormones were undetectable. These data indicate a frequent production of HCG or its subunits by NSCLC cell lines and cell lines from tumors with carcinoid features. They confirm the clinical inclusion of carcinoids under the broad category of NSCLC rather than SCLC despite their neuroendocrine features. Clinicians should not assume that undifferentiated NSCLC with HCG production represent germ cell tumors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-150
Number of pages6
JournalCancer Letters
Volume58
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 14 1991

Keywords

  • carcinoid of the lung
  • human chorionic gonadotropin
  • non-small cell lung cancer
  • small cell lung carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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