Growth hormone receptor overexpression predicts response of rectal cancers to pre-operative radiotherapy
发表时间：2006-05-17 15:49
ABSTRACT
In this study, we evaluated the possible role of Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) expression pattern in determining rectal cancer radiosensitivity. We examined GHR expression in pre- treatment biopsy materials and post-operative specimens from 98 patients by immunohis- tochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). GHR expression was evaluated for association with tumour radiosensitivity, which was defined according to Rectal Cancer Regression Grade (RCRG). IHC results demonstrated that GHR overexpression was significantly associated with a poor response to radiotherapy (P < 0.001, r s = 0.399); RT-PCR detection of GHR expression on pre-radiation biopsy speci- mens also showed that GHR mRNA negative group had a higher radiation sensitivity (P < 0.001, r s = 0.398). Compared with the pre-radiation biopsy specimens, the paired post- operative specimens showed a significantly up-regulated GHR expression in the reliquus cancer cells (P < 0.001). In conclusion, GHR expression levels may be an indicator for rectal cancer radiosensitivity before pre-operative irradiation. The administration of GHR antag- onist may have the potential to increase rectal cancer radiosensitivity.
第一署名医院：南京军区南京总医院
