Characterization of opioid peptides in human thyroid medullary carcinoma

• Published in: Cancer 1987-05, Vol.59 (9), p.1594-1598
• Main Authors: Roth, Kevin A., Bensch, Klaus G., Hoffman, Andrew R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma - metabolism; Carcinoma - pathology; Endocrinopathies; Endorphins - metabolism; Enkephalins - metabolism; Humans; Male; Malignant tumors; Medical sciences; Pro-Opiomelanocortin - metabolism; Protein Precursors - metabolism; Radioimmunoassay; Thyroid Neoplasms - metabolism; Thyroid Neoplasms - pathology; Thyroid. Thyroid axis (diseases)
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19870501)59:9<1594::AID-CNCR2820590912>3.0.CO;2-C

A thyroid medullary carcinoma from a man with the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type IIB was examined for the presence of opioid peptides. The tumor contained peptides derived from all three opioid precursors: pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC), pro‐dynorphin, and pro‐enkephalin. The tissue concentrations of the various opioid peptides varied considerably. β‐Endorphin, a POMC‐derived peptide, was present in concentrations between 9 to 12 pmoles/g tissue; 8 pmoles/g tissue of α‐neo‐endorphin, a pro‐dynorphin‐derived product, were seen, whereas the pro‐enkephalin‐associated peptides were present in much lower concentrations (0.6–2.1 pmoles/g tissue). Immunohistochemical studies showed scattered opioid‐positive cells in the tumor tissue and in two other thyroid medullary carcinomas. These data demonstrate that malignant neuroendocrine tumors may contain peptides derived from all three families of the endogenous opioids.