Neuroblastoma. Correlation of neuropeptide expression in tumor tissue with other prognostic factors

Abstract

Background: The neuropeptide contents in neuroblastomas were quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA) to assess their possible biologic significance.

Methods: Neuroblastoma tumor tissue was obtained from the primary tumor site before therapy in 16 patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma and in 7 patients with central nervous system medulloblastomas or gliomas.

Results: The tumor tissue was assayed for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SRIF), substance P, and neurotensin by both immunostaining and RIA techniques. Increased VIP levels of 1.2 pg/micrograms DNA or more correlated significantly with cellular differentiation (P = 0.003) and favorable disease stage (P = 0.002) in neuroblastomas. Increased SRIF contents (greater than 1.3 pg/micrograms DNA) correlated with differentiation of the tumor (P = 0.002). Increased VIP and SRIF content did not correlate with N-myc oncogene expression or ras oncogene protein immunostaining. No VIP was detectable in brain tumors, and other neuropeptides were variable in content.

Conclusions: RIA of VIP and SRIF levels in primary tumor tissue may offer an independent objective assay of biologic behavior in neuroblastoma biopsy specimens.