Regulatory peptides in neuronal neoplasms of the central nervous system.

Neuronal tumors of CNS were examined immunohistochemically for regulatory peptides. Thirteen ganglion cell neoplasms, one cerebellar ganglioneuroblastoma, one cerebellar neuroblastoma, and four medulloblastomas were studied. Sixteen non-neuronal intracranial neoplasms were examined as controls. Immunoreactive vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was observed in seven cases of ganglion cell neoplasm and in the one cerebellar ganglioneuroblastoma. The cerebellar neuroblastoma, all of the medulloblastomas, and all of the non-neuronal intracranial neoplasms were negative. Four additional ganglion cell neoplasms were tested for the presence of neurotensin and somatostatin. Two contained neurotensin. The results suggest that CNS ganglion cell neoplasms share with their extracranial counterparts the production of certain hormonal polypeptides. Since these peptides are presumed to be specific markers for neurons, the immunohistochemical detection of these substances may provide diagnostically useful technique in the diagnosis of such lesions.