Demonstration and diagnostic significance of pro-gastrin-releasing peptidein medullary thyroid carcinoma

The expression of pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP) in medullary thyro id carcinoma (MTC) and other histological types of thyroid carcinoma was st udied by an immunohistochemical technique, using polyclonal anti-proGRP ant iserum. Immunoreactivity for proGRP was detected exclusively in MTC (n = 7) ; other histological types (n = 12) were all negative for proGRP. In additi on, serum proGRP levels were elevated in patients with primary or recurrent MTC (n = 3), and they changed in parallel with serum calcitonin (CT), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These results show that proGRP, which is co nsidered to be a specific marker for small-cell lung carcinoma, may be also a potential tumor marker for MTC, in addition to CT and CEA. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.