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Expression of cholecystokinin-B/gastrin receptors in medullary thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE
To characterise the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor subtypes in medullary thyroid cancer by measuring the expression of CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptor mRNA.


DESIGN
Open study.


SETTING
Teaching hospital, Sweden.


SUBJECTS
6 patients with medullary thyroid cancer.


INTERVENTION
Pentagastrin stimulation test and measurement of calcitonin concentration. Biopsy specimens were analysed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Presence of CCK-A and CCK-B/gastrin receptors.


RESULTS
All 6 patients with medullary thyroid cancer had positive pentagastrin tests preoperatively. CCK-B/gastrin receptors but not CCK-A receptors were detected by RT-PCR in all six biopsy specimens. By contrast, no CCK receptors were found in normal thyroid tissues or in other thyroid tumours (follicular adenoma, papillary carcinoma, or anaplastic carcinoma).


CONCLUSION
The presence of CCK-B/gastrin receptors in medullary thyroid tumours may have important clinical implications.