Immunological Evidence for the Occurrence of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Factor and the a-Subunit of Glycoprotein Hormones in Carcinoid Tumors*

Abstract
The immunoperoxidase technique was used to identify LRF [luteinizing hormone-releasing factor] and glycoprotein hormones or their subunits in 22 carcinoid tumors 5 human bronchial and 17 human gastrointestinal. All tumors were positive for both LRF and the .alpha.-subunit; stainings with antisera against the .beta.-subunits of chorionic gonadotropin, luteining hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and thyrotropin were negative. The binding of LRF and the .alpha.-subunit within the same malignant tissue raises the possibility of a functional relationship between the 2.
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