PRIMARY KI-1 LYMPHOMA OF THE SKIN - EXPRESSION OF GROWTH-HORMONE RECEPTORS

The biological significance of growth hormone (GH) in the physiology a nd pathophysiology of the immune system is not established. To address the site and mode of action through which GH exerts its effects on ly mphocyte tumors, we applied a well-characterized monoclonal antibody d irected against the hormone binding site of the receptor and were able to further characterize the tumor by immunohistochemical localization of GH receptors. Cutaneous T cell lymphomas were identified by histol ogic and immunomorphologic diagnosis according to the updated Kiel cla ssification, with the application of monoclonal antibodies. Nodular tu mors of the skin, identified as highly malignant Ki-l lymphomas of lar ge anaplastic cells, had intense GH receptor immunoreactivity. The pre sence of GH receptors in these proliferating tumor cells supports the hypothesis that GH is involved in paracrine-autocrine mechanisms actin g locally in regulating peripheral T cell lymphoma tumor growth.