Adrenocorticotropic hormone production in breast cancer.

Presence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was investigated in tissues from 150 cases of primary breast cancer. ACTH peptides were detected in 16.7% cases and ACTH expression was higher in post-menopausal cancers. A significant association was noticed between the presence of ACTH and the positive estrogen receptor (ER) status of tumors. The study indicated a probable role of these ectopic ACTH peptides in steroid hormone related pathology of breast cancer.