gastrins and Cystadenocarcinoma

Gastrin-secreting tumors have been identified in ectopic locations including the ovary; the mechanisms regulating gastrin gene expression, its distribution, and signaling pathways in these ectopic tissues are not known. The purpose of our present study was to determine: (1) whether the gastrin gene and peptide could be detected in ovarian cancer cell lines, (2) if functional gastrin releasing peptide receptors (GRP-R) are present, and (3) whether gastrin gene expression is altered by GRP. Five ovarian cancer cell lines (SW626, OVCA 420, OVCA 429, OVCA 432, and OVCA 433) were analyzed. We identified gastrin gene and peptide expression in the SW626 cell line but not in the OVCA lines. SW626 cells express a functional GRP-R that is correctly coupled to the Ca2+ signaling pathway. Treatment of SW626 cells with bombesin, the amphibian equivalent of GRP, inhibited expression of the gastrin gene in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. The SW626 ovarian cancer cell line will provide a useful model to further define regulation and expression of both the gastrin gene and peptide in ectopic (nongastrointestinal) tissues.

Topics: Blotting, Northern; Blotting, Southern; Bombesin; Cystadenocarcinoma; Female; Gastrins; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Radioimmunoassay; Receptors, Bombesin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in a 76-year-old woman is reported. The source of the hypergastrinemia proved to be an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma. Resection was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed histologically, immunohistochemically and by determination of gastrin in tumor tissue and in serum. The long-term result was good.

Topics: Aged; Cystadenocarcinoma; Female; Gastrins; Hormones, Ectopic; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

We report a patient with severe peptic ulcer disease and a right ovarian mass that was found to be a gastrin-producing cystadenocarcinoma. Gastrin production by the tumor was stimulated by secretin and inhibited by the long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995. Following resection of the tumor, serum gastrin levels and the gastrin response to secretin returned to normal. Histologic examination, including Alcian blue staining for mucin and immunoperoxidase staining for gastrin, revealed gastrin at the base and mucin at the apex of the tumor cells. This report demonstrates secretin stimulation and somatostatin inhibition of gastrin secretion from a cell that is apparently not of endocrine origin.

Topics: Cystadenocarcinoma; Female; Gastrins; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Middle Aged; Octreotide; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovary; Peptic Ulcer; Secretin; Staining and Labeling

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is usually caused by a gastrin-secreting tumor in or near the pancreas. We describe a patient in whom an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma was the cause of the syndrome. The patient presented with a short history of peptic ulceration and development of a large pelvic mass. Investigations demonstrated a basal acid output of 37.8 mEq/h and a maximal acid output of 36.0 mEq/h, and the plasma concentration of gastrin was 830 pg/ml (normal less than 100). Secretin and calcium infusion tests were positive, and a meal test was compatible with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Imaging studies demonstrated a normal liver and pancreas but a large cystic right ovarian mass. Resection of the mass resulted in a marked reduction in gastric acid output, a fall in plasma gastrin concentration to normal, negative calcium and secretin tests, and a normal (positive) meal test. Histology of the mass showed it to be a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. The tumor stained with immunoperoxidase technique was positive for gastrin, and the cyst fluid contained high concentrations of gastrin and calcitonin. One year later, the patient has no biochemical or imaging evidence of tumor. Ovarian, gastrin-producing tumors and pancreatic gastrinomas cannot be distinguished by provocative tests, and negative imaging studies do not exclude a pancreatic tumor. Patients with an ovarian mass and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome should have a bilateral oophorectomy and a careful exploration of the pancreatic area.

Topics: Cystadenocarcinoma; Female; Gastric Acid; Gastrins; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovary; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Forty-five cases of mucinous tumors of the ovary were studied for argyrophilia. Argyrophil cells were identified in seven of the 22 cystadenomas (32%), five of the 11 borderline tumors (45%), and two of the 12 carcinomas (17%). These 14 tumors and two additional mucinous tumors known to contain argyrophil cells were studied further by immunohistochemical methods for the localization of calcitonin, gastrin, somatostatin, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), serotonin, neurotensin, and lysozyme. Serotonin immuno-reactivity was identified in 15 of the 16 cases. Among the peptide hormones, there was a high frequency of positivity for ACTH, gastrin, and somatostatin. Despite the demonstration of reactivity for these hormones, there was no clinical evidence of syndromes of hormone excess in the patients. Lysozyme was present in all but one of the benign and borderline tumors, but was not identified in the carcinomas. Lysozyme was also found in normal and neoplastic gastric and endocervical epithelium, indicating that its presence is not useful in differentiating gastrointestinal and müllerian-type epithelium. The results of this study confirm the previously recognized intestinal characteristics of the epithelium of many mucinous tumors, but also raise the question whether the simple, uniformly mucinous epithelium that is most common within these tumors and is generally regarded as endocervical in type may occasionally be gastric in nature.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Calcitonin; Cystadenocarcinoma; Cystadenoma; Endothelium; Female; Gastrins; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Muramidase; Neurotensin; Ovarian Neoplasms; Serotonin; Silver; Somatostatin; Staining and Labeling

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cholecystokinin; Cystadenocarcinoma; Cystadenoma; Enkephalins; Female; Gastrins; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Glucagon; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurotensin; Ovarian Neoplasms; Somatostatin

Topics: Cystadenocarcinoma; Female; Gastrins; Humans; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome