Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) qualify as lymphohaemopoietic growth and differentiation factors, and so does insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, which mediates many of GH activities. Although there is only limited evidence that endocrine, paracrine or autocrine GH or PRL play a role in human leukaemia and lymphoma, the expression of these factors or their receptors may have diagnostic or therapeutic implications. Indeed, the participation of GH, PRL or IGF-I in the development or progression of certain haematological malignancies or to the antitumour immune response has been documented. Examples discussed in this review include a rat lymphoma in which the PRL receptor acts as an oncogene; the rat Nb2 lymphoma, which is dependent on PRL for growth; and experiments showing that PRL stimulates natural killer cell activity and the development of lymphokine-activated killer cells.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hooghe, R., Merchav, S., Gaidano, G. et al. A role for growth hormone and prolactin in leukaemia and lymphoma?. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 54, 1095–1101 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050238
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050238