ACTH, LPH AND RELATED PEPTIDES IN THE ECTOPIC ACTH SYNDROME

Abstract
Adrenocorticotrophin. lipotrophin and the related peptides α‐MSH, CLIP, β‐endorphin and met‐enkephalin have been measured, and characterized chromatographically in tumour extracts from seven patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome. Four of the seven tumours contained the complete family of peptides, although the proportion of one to another varied between tumours. In addition, large molecular weight forms of ACTH and met‐enkephalin were seen. The potential clinical importance of these observations is discussed.