Lamberts S W, Hackeng W H, Visser T J
Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 1982 Mar;18(3):253-60. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(82)90044-x.
The present study was performed to investigate the possible synthesis of a common precursor molecule for calcitonin (CT), adrenocporticotropin (ACTH) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH)/ beta-endorphin (beta-EP) by the human medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In a patient with MTC but without Cushing's syndrome, the response of plasma CT, ACTH and cortisol levels to a calcium infusion, lysine vasopressin (LVP) and dexamethasone were measured. A parallel increase of these hormones in response to calcium and LVP was seen, while there was a paradoxical increase of CT during dexamethasone infusion. Incubation of MTC fragments obtained at surgery showed a significant correlation of the secretion of CT, ACTH and beta-LPH/ beta-EP in response to calcium, LVP and dexamethasone. The concomitant release of these hormones in vivo and in vitro could be compatible with the synthesis of a common precursor molecule for CT, ACTH and beta-LPH/ beta-EP in MTC, although this was not substantiated by gel-chromatography of the tumor extract. Corticotropin releasing factor, a regulator of the normal processing of pro-opiococorticoid precursor molecule in the anterior pituitary gland, is also able to activate ACTH, beta-LPH/ beta-EP and calcitonin secretion from the malignant C-cell of the thyroid.
本研究旨在探讨人甲状腺髓样癌（MTC）是否可能合成降钙素（CT）、促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）和β-促脂素（β-LPH）/β-内啡肽（β-EP）的共同前体分子。在一名患有MTC但无库欣综合征的患者中，测量了血浆CT、ACTH和皮质醇水平对钙输注、赖氨酸加压素（LVP）和地塞米松的反应。观察到这些激素对钙和LVP的反应呈平行增加，而在地塞米松输注期间CT出现反常增加。对手术获取的MTC片段进行孵育显示，CT、ACTH和β-LPH/β-EP的分泌对钙、LVP和地塞米松的反应具有显著相关性。这些激素在体内和体外的伴随释放可能与MTC中CT、ACTH和β-LPH/β-EP的共同前体分子的合成相一致，尽管肿瘤提取物的凝胶色谱分析并未证实这一点。促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子是垂体前叶中阿片促皮质素原前体分子正常加工的调节因子，它也能够激活甲状腺恶性C细胞分泌ACTH、β-LPH/β-EP和降钙素。
