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Horm Metab Res 2009; 41(9): 707-709
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1215592
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Chromogranin A as Potential Tumour Antigen in Pheochromocytoma

C. Papewalis 1 [*] , C. Kouatchoua 1 [*] , M. Wuttke 1 , B. Jacobs 1 , W. A. Scherbaum 1 , M. Schott 1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Rheumatology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 06.01.2009

accepted 12.02.2009

Publication Date:
15 April 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a dense core vesicle-associated protein and, therefore, represents a specific marker of neuroendocrine cells and tumours including pheochromocytomas. CgA has already been investigated for its immunogenic properties. Importantly, in vitro studies demonstrated the presence of naturally occurring CgA-specific cytotoxic T cells in patients with neuroendocrine cancers. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate the potential role of CgA as tumour antigen in pheochromocytoma. Depending on the results of these ongoing in vitro and in vivo studies, a clinical application may arise in the near future.

Key words

chromogranin A - tumour antigen - pheochromocytoma - mouse model - medullary thyroid carcinoma

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1 These authors contributed equally to the work.

Correspondence

C. PapewalisPhD 

Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Rheumatology

University Hospital Duesseldorf

Moorenstr. 5

40225 Duesseldorf

Germany

Phone: +49/211/810 40 38

Fax: +49/211/811 78 60

Email: Claudia.Papewalis@uni-duesseldorf.de

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