Plasma chromogranin A in prostatic carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Chromogranin A is a good tumor marker for neuroendocrine cells. Whether plasma chromogranin A could be a useful marker for neuroendocrine differentiation of prostatic carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors was investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plasma levels of chromogranin A were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 33 patients with prostatic carcinoma, 10 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 13 with neuroendocrine tumors (2 medullary thyroid carcinomas, 1 thymic carcinoid, 1 gastrin producing duodenal carcinoid, 3 nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors, 2 neuroblastomas, 3 pheochromocytomas and 1 carotid body tumor).

RESULTS:

The normal level of chromogranin A from 40 healthy volunteers was 30 +/- 11 units per 1. (mean plus or minus standard deviation). Mean plasma chromogranin A in patients with BPH and prostatic carcinoma was 52.4 +/- 12.9 and 67.5 +/- 22.9 units per 1., respectively. All patients with neuroendocrine tumors, except 1 with a nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumor, had elevated chromogranin A (mean 401 +/- 409 units per 1.). There were significant differences in plasma chromogranin A level between patients with BPH and neuroendocrine tumors (p < 0.01), prostatic carcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors (p < 0.01), and BPH and prostatic carcinoma (p < 0.05). Of the 33 patients with prostatic carcinoma 5 had elevated chromogranin A, only 1 of whom had elevated prostate specific antigen.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chromogranin A is an excellent marker for neuroendocrine tumors, particularly nonfunctioning tumors, and measurement of chromogranin A is also useful to detect prostatic carcinoma in patients whose prostate specific antigen is not elevated.

• Authors: N Kimura, S Hoshi, M Takahashi, S Takeha, S Shizawa, H Nagura
• Journal: The Journal of urology (J Urol) Vol. 157 Issue 2 Pg. 565-8 (Feb 1997) ISSN: 0022-5347 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8996358 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• CHGA protein, human
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranins

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• Chromogranin A
• Chromogranins (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Neuroendocrine Tumors (blood)
• Prostatic Hyperplasia (blood)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (blood)