Cell and tumour biology of the gastric enterochromaffin-like cell.

The recent recognition of the nature of gastric carcinoids and the elucidation of the biological events associated with enterochromaffin-like cell transformation has provided an opportunity to advance the understanding of this particular type of neuroendocrine tumour. The relationship between hypergastrinaemia present in low acid disease states and the development of gastric carcinoids has led to an appreciation of the role of gastrin as a growth mediator in the evolution of this type of neoplasia. In addition, evidence exists to support a genetic predisposition to this tumour type in individuals with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 syndrome, and in an experimental model--the African rodent species, Mastomys. The recent development of an isolated pure enterochromaffin-like cell preparation has facilitated the elucidation of the molecular physiology of the naive enterochromaffin-like cell and, in addition, allowed the evaluation of the cellular events associated with enterochromaffin-like cell transformation from the naive state to the neoplastic phenotype. This synopsis seeks to present information relevant to both the animal model and the human disease state. The aim is to facilitate an appreciation of the regulatory mechanisms of the enterochromaffin-like cell and delineate the changes consequent to the development of the neoplastic phenotype.