Tumour-Derived Human Growth Hormone As a Therapeutic Target in Oncology

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Aug;28(8):587-596. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Abstract

The growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) axis is the key regulator of longitudinal growth, promoting postnatal bone and muscle growth. The available data suggest that GH expression by tumour cells is associated with the aetiology and progression of various cancers such as endometrial, breast, liver, prostate, and colon cancer. Accordingly there has been increased interest in targeting GH-mediated signal transduction in a therapeutic setting. Because GH has endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine actions, therapeutic strategies will need to take into account systemic and local functions. Activation of related hormone receptors and crosstalk with other signalling pathways are also key considerations.

Keywords: IGF1; acromegaly; cancer; cancer stem cells; growth hormone.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenoma / epidemiology
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / drug therapy*
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / epidemiology
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / metabolism
  • Human Growth Hormone / metabolism*
  • Human Growth Hormone / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Male
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy* / methods
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy* / trends
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • IGF1 protein, human
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I