Circulating gastrin concentrations in patients at increased risk of developing colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Background and Aim: An increase in circulating concentrations of gastrin or gastrin precursors such as progastrin and glycine-extended gastrin has been proposed to promote the development of colorectal carcinomas (CRC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not circulating gastrin concentrations were increased in patients with an increased risk of developing CRC. Method: Patients were divided according to their risk into the five following groups: familial adenomatous polyposis (n=20), hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (n=53), cluster of common colorectal cancers (n=13), personal history and/or family history of adenomatous polyps or CRC (n=150) and controls (n=42). Ra..