Neuropeptide receptor status in human tumor cell lines

Tumor types expressing a neuroendocrine phenotype secrete neuropeptides wit h paracrine or autocrine growth factor activity. The efficacy of these para crine or autocrine loops depends on the expression of specific receptors on tumor cells. Once specific receptors are identified, specific neuropeptide antagonists disrupting paracrine and autocrine loops could be potential tr eatments in neuropeptide-secreting tumors. In the present study, 11 human t umor cell lines representing astrocytoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic, prostat e, lung and colon carcinomas were examined for expression of five different neuropeptide receptors (cholecystokinin, neurotensin, vasopressin, tachyki nine substance P and cannabinoid) using RT-PCR and radioligand binding. The presence of various neuropeptide receptors in different human cancer cell lines supports development of new antitumor treatments based on disruption of neuropeptide autocrine growth pathways. [(C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.].