transforming-growth-factor-alpha and Acanthosis-Nigricans

A case of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (Borrmann type 3) of the stomach in a 76-year-old man associated with the typical skin manifestations of acanthosis nigricans and with multiple protruding lesions showing epithelial hyperplasia of the esophagus is reported. The advanced tumor was located in the cardiac region of the stomach, and measured approximately 8 cm in diameter, with partial invasion to the esophagus. The associated cutaneous lesions were characterized by hyperpigmentation and by protruding verrucous papules on the torso, head, face, neck, upper extremities, perineum, and inguinal region. Histologically, the protruding skin lesions showed keratinocytes proliferation throughout the epidermis, resulting in diffuse hyperkeratosis, papillomatosis, and acanthosis of the skin. Immunohistological analysis showed coexpression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in the tumor from the stomach. It is reasonable to conclude from this evidence that gastric carcinoma cells secrete TGF alpha in an autocrine for auto-stimulation. EGF receptor expression was also noted on the papillomatous hyperplasia of the cutaneous lesion. Serum level of TGF alpha, determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was high (144 pg/ml; normal, 22.0 +/- 16 pg/ml (Mean +/- SD)). Serum TGF alpha abruptly decreased to 49 pg/ml on day 7 after the total gastrectomy, and then gradually increased to 77 pg/ml within 28 days. Amelioration of the cutaneous lesions and the protruding lesions in the esophagus was observed after surgical resection of the gastric carcinoma. This suggests that the TGF alpha stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes involved with EGF receptor. Large amounts of circulating TGF alpha in the blood over a long period released by the primary tumor seem to act as an endocrine-like mechanism causing epidermal and esophageal epithelial cells to proliferate. There is a possible link in the pathogenesis of the acanthosis nigricans as a cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome, and epithelial hyperplasia of the esophagus.

Topics: Acanthosis Nigricans; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Epithelium; ErbB Receptors; Esophagus; Humans; Hyperplasia; Male; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Skin Diseases; Stomach Neoplasms; Transforming Growth Factor alpha

A 64-year-old white male presented to our hospital with hyperplastic tarsal and to a lesser degree bulbar conjunctivae. Approximately one month later the full clinical picture of acanthosis nigricans maligna developed. In addition to ectropia of the lower eyelids he showed madarosis; neither the linea grisea nor the lacrimal points were discerneable. On gastroscopy a diffusely growing gastric adenocarcinoma adjacent to the cardia was found and later confirmed histopathologically. The computertomography of the abdomen demonstrated one solitary metastasis to one parapancreatic lymphnode. It is generally assumed that in the course of paraneoplastic syndroms products secreted by the tumor induce changes in the target organs, e.g. the conjunctiva and the skin. In the presented case (1) southern blot analysis of the tumor tissue proved an increase of Epidermal Growth Factor-receptors, (2) immunohistochemistry showed prominent staining for Transforming Growth Factor-alpha. In conclusion, this case is suggestive of a possible link between growth factors and acanthosis nigricans maligna.

Topics: Acanthosis Nigricans; Adenocarcinoma; Biopsy; Blotting, Southern; Conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis; ErbB Receptors; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Skin; Stomach Neoplasms; Transforming Growth Factor alpha

The pathogenesis of cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes is still under discussion. Since many of these syndromes, including acanthosis nigricans, are proliferative skin disorders it is believed that products secreted by the tumour stimulate the keratinocytes to proliferate. Growth factors like transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) are known to be highly mitogenic for keratinocytes in vitro. Here we report on a patient with a poorly differentiated gastric cancer and a full clinical picture of acanthosis nigricans characterized by diffuse hyperkeratosis and multiple papillomatous lesions of the skin with involvement of the conjunctivae. In Southern blot analysis of the tumour tissue from this patient amplification of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, the common ligand for TGF-alpha and EGF, was shown. Immunohistochemically, prominent staining was found throughout the tumour using anti-TGF-alpha antibodies. In a series of 25 investigated gastric tumour biopsies, four tumours showed amplification of the EGF receptor and one additional biopsy was positive for TGF-alpha. Since there is no other report describing the link between TGF-alpha and acanthosis nigricans, except that of Ellis et al. 1987, we present a new case suggesting a possible link between growth factors and acanthosis nigricans maligna.

Topics: Acanthosis Nigricans; Blotting, Southern; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Paraneoplastic Syndromes; Stomach Neoplasms; Transforming Growth Factor alpha