Lung Carcinoma Associated With Production of Three Placental Proteins

Abstract

Production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS),¹ and the placental isozyme of alkaline phosphatase (PAP) by normal and neoplastic trophoblast has been well documented.^2-5 (Previously, HCS has been designated as human placental lactogen [HPL], chorionic growth hormone-prolactin [CGP], purified placental protein [human] [PPP(H)], and placental protein. Because of the site of formation and physiologic effects of this protein hormone, the name HCS has been recommended1 and will be used throughout this report.) The ectopic production of gonadotropins by nontrophoblastic tumors has also been established.^6-9 With a single exception,¹⁰ the gonadotropin has invariably behaved like luteinizing hormone (LH) or HCG,¹¹ but until recently, methods have not been readily available to permit unequivocal differentiation of the placental from the pituitary hormone.^12,13 Ectopic production of the placental proteins PAP and HCS has also been described^14,15 in a variety of nontrophoblastic neoplasms, contrasting