The nuclear-localized GHR is involved in the cell proliferation of gastric cancer, and pegvisomant may be an important potential drug to inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells.

ABSTRACT

Under normal physiological conditions, growth hormones (GH) play an important role in body growth and metabolism. A recent study showed that GH has important biological effects on gastric cancer (GC) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the biological properties of GH/GHR (GHR, growth hormone receptor) in GC cells have not been fully elucidated. To this end, we systemically studied the biological properties of GH in GC cells and found that GH/GHR was transported into the nuclei of GC cells. Furthermore, we investigated the functions of nuclear GHR and its potential mechanisms of action. We found that nuclear-localized GHR was closely related to the proliferation of GC cells. In addition, we systematically studied the effect of a GHR inhibitor (pegvisomant) on GC in vivo and in vitro, and the results showed that pegvisomant can not only inhibit the proliferation of GC cells but also inhibit the nuclear localization of GHR, suggesting that pegvisomant may be a dual-effect antagonist. Current research indicates that GHR may be a potential target for the treatment of GC.