Coexpression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit and its receptor in nontrophoblastic gynecological cancer

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2008 Sep-Oct;18(5):1102-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2007.01151.x. Epub 2008 Jan 22.

Abstract

A considerable number of biochemical and physiologic studies evaluate the roles of gonadotropins in carcinogenesis. Latest reports show that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and especially its beta subunit, are secreted by a variety of malignant tumors of different origin. However, the mechanism of hCG action and its role in tumor development is not known yet. This study, with the help of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, is an attempt to document the molecular presence of the hCGbeta and luteinizing hormone/hCG receptor (LH/hCGR) in the ovarian, endometrial, and uterine cervix cancer tissues. The LH/hCGR, coexpressed with hCGbeta, may act as a potential mediator of hCG action in nontrophoblastic gynecological cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / genetics
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, LH / genetics
  • Receptors, LH / metabolism*
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Receptors, LH