Alpha‐subunit and human chorionic gonadotropin‐β immunoreactivity in patients with malignant endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumours

Abstract

Abstract. In the serum of patients with malignant endocrine gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumours, both α‐subunit (α‐SU), common to all glycoprotein hormones, as well as free β‐subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG‐β) have been reported to be elevated in a substantial fraction. Both have been discussed as markers of malignancy in these neoplasms. In the present study we evaluated the diagnostic significance of α‐SU and hCG‐β as serum markers in patients with malignant endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumours. The study group consisted of 52 patients with endocrine GEP‐malignancies (24 nonfunctioning, 23 carcinoid syndromes, four gastrinoma, one glucagonoma), located in the small intest..