Melatonin Immunoreactivity in Malignant Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumours.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs) are derived from enterochromaffin cells. After demonstrating melatonin in enterochromaffin cells, we hypothesized that SI-NETs may express and secrete melatonin, which may have an impact on clinical factors and treatment response.

Methods

Tumour tissue from 26 patients with SI-NETs, representing paired sections of primary tumour and metastasis, were immunohistochemically stained for melatonin and its receptors, MT1 and MT2. Plasma melatonin and immunoreactivity (IR) for melatonin, MT1 and MT2 in tumour cells were compared to other tumour markers and clinical parameters. Melatonin was measured at two time points in fasting morning plasma from 43 patients with SI-NETs.

Results

Melatonin IR was found in al

SUBMITTER: Soderquist F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5063280 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature