BETA-HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN CONCENTRATIONS IN SERUM OF PATIENTSWITH PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Background-Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is normally produced and secreted by trophoblastic cells during pregnancy and from gestational trophoblastic neoplasms. It is also detected in ovarian, stomach, and colon adenocarcinomas, as well as in squamous cell carcinoma of the o esophagus. Recently, interest in its role in the pathogenesis of tumou rs has been enlivened after the presence of beta hCG in the cell membr ane of several malignant cells was shown in vitro. Aims-To investigate the circulating concentrations of beta hCG in patients with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma and to examine its potential prognostic valu e. Patients-Thirty six patients with exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinom a, 12 patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 21 healthy volunteers we re studied. Methods-beta hCG serum concentrations were detected by the application of a radioimmunoassay technique. Results-Fifteen of 36 pa tients with panadenocarcinoma and only one patient with chronic pancre atitis had detectable plasma concentrations of beta hCG (p<0.01). The patients with circulating serum titres of beta hCG had a worse outcome compared with the group of beta hCG negative patients: the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Conclusion-More than 40% of pancreatic exocrine tumours produce beta hCG and its production is co rrelated with an adverse effect on outcome.