Substance-P receptors in human primary neoplasms: tumoral and vascular localization.

Abstract

Primary human neoplasms were examined for the presence of substance-P receptors by receptor autoradiography with 125I-labelled Bolton-Hunter substance P. Substance-P receptors were localized and characterized in the neoplastic cells of 9/12 astrocytomas, 10/10 glioblastomas, 10/12 medullary thyroid carcinomas, 8/16 breast carcinomas and 4/5 ganglioneuroblastomas. Conversely, substance-P receptors were not or only rarely identified on non-small-cell carcinomas of the lung (1/16), neuroblastomas (0/8), adenocarcinomas of the colon (1/21) or the pancreas (1/9), or on malignant lymphomas (3/18). However, in the great majority of the investigated tumours, substance-P receptors were found on intra- and peritumoral blood vessels. All substance-P receptors detected had the pharmacological characteristics of the neurokinin-I receptor sub-type. In addition, the expression of somatostatin receptors was examined in all the neoplastic tissues mentioned above. Both substance-P and somatostatin receptors were present in astrocytomas and in ganglioneuroblastomas, whereas little or no receptor was found in pancreatic and non-small-cell lung carcinomas. The extent of somatostatin-receptor expression was inversely correlated to that of the substance-P receptors in glioblastomas, neuroblastomas and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The tumoral and vascular localization of substance-P receptors in tumours may have clinical implications. The use of radiolabelled substance P for in vivo scintigraphy may supplement the current set of diagnostic tools. Substance-P antagonists might be used in the treatment of tumours, as their binding to vascular receptors may decrease tumoral blood supply and drainage.

• Authors: I M Hennig, J A Laissue, U Horisberger, J C Reubi
• Journal: International journal of cancer (Int J Cancer) Vol. 61 Issue 6 Pg. 786-92 (Jun 09 1995) ISSN: 0020-7136 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7790112 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Neurokinin-1
• Receptors, Somatostatin

Topics

• Autoradiography
• Blood Vessels (chemistry)
• Humans
• Neoplasms (blood supply, chemistry, pathology)
• Radioligand Assay
• Receptors, Neurokinin-1 (analysis)
• Receptors, Somatostatin (analysis)