Ectopic production of prolactin in uterine cervical carcinoma

Sera from 743 patients with uterine cervical carcinoma were assayed for levels of circulating prolactin (PRL). Markedly abnormal serum prolactin levels were observed in 30.8% (229/743) of patients. During the early stages of cancer, the degree of PRL elevation in serum and incidence of abnormal PRL levels are much greater than those found for carcinoembryonic antigen, which is generally considered to be a circulating cervical tumor marker. Surgical removal of cervical carcinoma resulted in normalization of serum PRL concentrations. Immunohistochemical staining techniques and primary tissue culture of cervical carcinoma were used to verify the presence of PRL in the uterine cervical carcinoma cells. Twenty-two of forty-nine cervical carcinoma tissue sections showed cytoplasmic staining for prolactin, while normal cervix tissues tested were negative. Production of prolactin was directly demonstrated in the early tissue cultures of cervical carcinoma. These studies show ectopic production of PRL by uterine cervical carcinoma. Prolactin production may be a potential marker for detecting early occult tumors or for gauging the effectiveness of therapy for human cervical carcinoma.