Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology

Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology, Volume 3 covers the relationship between the endocrine system and some types of tumors. The book discusses the perspectives, pitfalls, and potentials of tissue culture in endocrine research; the tumor types associated with ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion, particularly nonendocrine tumors; and the hormonal control of breast cancer growth in women and rats. The text also describes the status of steroid receptors in breast tumors; the physiopathological aspects of prolactin secretion in patients with pituitary tumors; and the biochemical endocrinology of prostatic tumors. The ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotropin and its alpha- and beta-subunits is also considered. Endocrinologists, oncologists, chemists, gynecologists, and students taking related courses will find the book invaluable.

List of Contributors Preface Tissue Culture in Endocrine Research: Perspectives, Pitfalls, and Potentials I. Introduction II. Options in Tissue Culture III. Regulation of Functional Activity and Growth in Endocrine Cells in Culture IV. Secondary Applications of Endocrine Cultures V. Discussion References Adrenocorticotropin and Related Peptides in Nonendocrine Tumors I. Introduction II. History III. Definition of Ectopic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Syndrome IV. Evidence for Existence of Ectopic Humoral Syndromes V. Diagnosis of Ectopic ACTH Syndrome VI. Incidence of Ectopic ACTH Syndrome VII. Clinical Features of Ectopic ACTH Syndrome VIII. Characterization of Ectopic ACTH and Related Peptides IX. Tumor Types Associated with Ectopic ACTH Secretion X. ACTH and Related Peptides in Control Tumors XI. Postulated Mechanisms Leading to Ectopic ACTH Secretion XII. Conclusions ReferencesHormonal Control of Breast Cancer Growth in Women and Rats I. Introduction II. Experimental Mammary Cancer in the Rat III. Antiprolactin and Antiestrogen Drugs in Women with Breast Cancer IV. Discussion ReferencesSteroid Receptors in Breast Tumors-Current Status I. Introduction II. Estrogen III. Progesterone IV. Glucocorticoids V. Androgens VI. Conclusions ReferencesProlactin and Pituitary Tumors I. Introduction II. A Brief Survey of the Regulation of Prolactin Secretion III. Pathological Hyperprolactinemic States IV. Plasma Prolactin Levels in Patients with Pituitary Tumors V. Relationships between Prolactin and Other Pituitary Hormones VI. Plasma Prolactin Levels in Patients without Evidence of Pituitary Tumors VII. Is Hyperprolactinemia a Marker of Pituitary Tumors VIII. Possible Approaches to the Treatment of the Pathological Hyperprolactinemic States ReferencesBiochemical Endocrinology of Prostatic Tumors I. Introduction II. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) III. Prostatic Carcinoma IV. Conclusions References Ectopic Production of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Its -- and ß-Subunits I. Introduction II. Specific Radioimmunoassays for Circulating HCG and Its -- and ß-Subunits III. Serum Circulating Forms of HCG and Its -- and ß-Subunits IV. Levels of HCG and Its -- and ß-Subunits during Normal Pregnancy V. Levels of HCG and Its Subunits in Patients with Trophoblastic Tumors VI. HCG and Its Subunits in Nontrophoblastic Tumors VII. Summary and Conclusions References Subject Index