Opposite Association of Serum Prolactin and Survival in Patients with Colon and Rectal Carcinomas: Influence of Preoperative Radiotherapy

Abstract

Prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic hormone associated with the progression of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we investigate whether the association of serum PRL concentration and survival is affected by tumor location and preoperative radiotherapy (PRERT) in patients with CRC cancer. Serum PRL was determined in 82 CRC patients without previous treatment. Patients with PRL concentrations at and above the 75th percentile (high PRL) or below this level (low PRL), had a significant correlation with overall survival determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. In colon cancer, there was an increased risk of mortality when PRL values were at and above the highest quartile (22% vs. 73%; P = 0.01). In contrast, in rectal cancer, high PRL values were associated with a significant overall survival advantage (88% vs. 44%; P = 0.05), which became more significant (100% vs. 34%; P = 0.005) when only rectal cancer patients receiving PRERT were compared. These findings suggest that tumor location and adjuvant radiotherapy influence the association between circulating PRL and survival in CRC.

MCM2 and MCM5 as Prognostic Markers in Colon Cancer: A Worthwhile Approach

“…Some molecular parameters depend on the localization within the colorectal tract, which I did not expect. Barrera and coworkers found elevated prolactin levels in colon cancer to be related to an increased risk of mortality, while in rectal cancer, high values were significantly associated with survival advantage [6]. Some markers are more promising.…”

Ectopic Hypothalamic and Pituitary Hormone Secreting Syndromes

“…80 PRL is a pleiotrophic hormone, and ectopic PRL secretion is associated with the progression of various cancers, including colorectal cancer. 81,82 PRL is produced by colorectal carcinoma cells, and PRL levels have been shown to have an excellent significant correlation with response to therapy and progression of disease. In a crosssectional study, mean PRL serum level in colorectal cancer group was 21.6 ± 8.1 versus 10.5 ± 4.6 in control group, which was significantly different.…”