Growth hormone-releasing hormone and extra-pituitary tumorigenesis: therapeutic and diagnostic applications of growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists.

Abstract

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) regulates growth hormone release from the pituitary. However, in addition to this neuroendocrine action, much evidence implies an additional role for GHRH in carcinogenesis in non-pituitary tissues. This role of GHRH in cancer development appears to be due to the operation of several mechanisms, which involve the regulation of the growth hormone-dependent hepatic insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) production, tumoural IGF-I and IGF-II secretion and direct action of GHRH on tumour cells by autocrine and/or paracrine pathways. This review summarises the available information regarding the role of GHRH in tumorigenesis with special emphasis on the direct action of GHRH in primary and experimental cancers.

• Authors: Hippokratis Kiaris, Michael Koutsilieris, Anastasios Kalofoutis, Andrew V Schally
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 12 Issue 8 Pg. 1385-94 (Aug 2003) ISSN: 1354-3784 [Print] England
• PMID: 12882623 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Hormone Antagonists
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Growth Hormone
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone

Topics

• Animals
• Autocrine Communication
• Cell Division (drug effects, physiology)
• Growth Hormone (biosynthesis, physiology)
• Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, physiology)
• Hormone Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (biosynthesis, physiology)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Pituitary Gland (metabolism, physiology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured