Prostate cancer cells expressed both ghrelin and GHS-R, with ghrelin showing concentration-dependent effects on cell proliferation — low doses stimulated while high doses inhibited growth.
Biphasic responseGhrelin at low doses slightly stimulated and at high doses inhibited prostate cancer cell growth — the effect depends on concentration
What the researchers found
Prostate cancer cells expressed ghrelin, GHS-R1a, and GHS-R1b (autocrine system), with biphasic proliferative response: low ghrelin concentrations slightly stimulated while higher concentrations inhibited cell growth.
Why it matters
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Understanding ghrelin's complex effects on prostate cancer cells is crucial for assessing the safety of GH secretagogues in this population.
How the study worked
In-vitro study on prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP). RT-PCR for ghrelin, GHS-R1a, and GHS-R1b expression. Proliferation assays at multiple ghrelin concentrations.
What this study cannot tell us
In-vitro cell line study. Biphasic responses in culture may not predict in-vivo tumor behavior. Only two cell lines tested. The physiological relevance of the concentrations tested is uncertain.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary in-vitro evidence from two prostate cancer cell lines showing complex concentration-dependent responses.
When this study was published
Published in 2002. The ghrelin-prostate cancer relationship remains complex and an active area of investigation.
The bigger picture
The biphasic response adds complexity to the GH secretagogue-cancer question. It's not simply pro-cancer or anti-cancer — the dose and context matter, making blanket safety statements impossible.
Questions still open
- Which ghrelin concentration range is physiologically relevant in prostate tissue?
- Does the autocrine ghrelin system promote or inhibit prostate cancer in vivo?
- Should prostate cancer patients avoid GH secretagogues?
Common questions
Should men with prostate cancer avoid GH peptides?
Do tumors make their own ghrelin?
Read the original research
Expression and action of the growth hormone releasing peptide ghrelin and its receptor in prostate cancer cell lines.
The Journal of endocrinology, 172(3), R7-11
Citation
Jeffery, P L; Herington, A C; Chopin, L K. (2002). Expression and action of the growth hormone releasing peptide ghrelin and its receptor in prostate cancer cell lines.. The Journal of endocrinology, 172(3), R7-11.