VASOPRESSIN AND OXYTOCIN PRODUCTION BY NON-NEUROENDOCRINE LUNG CARCINOMAS - AN APPARENT LOW INCIDENCE OF GENE-EXPRESSION

In previous studies we have demonstrated the high incidence of vasopre ssin gene expression as a characteristic feature of small-cell carcino ma of the lung. In the present study we examined expression of this ge ne in non-neuroendocrine tumors to determine if vasopressin production is a common feature of all lung tumors. We carried out the immunohist ochemical evaluation of 22 non-neuroendocrine tumors (12 adenocarcinom as and 10 squamous-cell carcinomas) with antibodies to vasopressin, to oxytocin, and to their related neurophysins. The antibody preparation s directed against vasopressin, oxytocin, or oxytocin-associated human neurophysin did not react with any of the tumors examined. Of two mon oclonal antibodies to vasopressin-associated human neurophysin used, o ne did not react with any of the tumors, while the other stained neopl astic cells in only one adenocarcinoma and one squamous-cell carcinoma . These findings, taken with previous reports, indicate that among lun g carcinomas, a high incidence of vasopressin/oxytocin gene expression is confined to neuroendocrine tumors.