Question 1

What is the Meaning of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

The Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) is a transmembrane protein binding growth hormone (GH), initiating signals vital for normal growth and metabolism. In cancer, altered GHR expression or function drives uncontrolled cellular proliferation, survival, metastatic potential, influencing the GH/IGF-1 axis, often dysregulated in oncogenesis.

Question 2

What is the Context of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

The GHR operates within the endocrine system, a core component of the somatotropic axis, regulating growth and metabolic homeostasis. Located on cell surfaces, GHR mediates systemic GH effects. Within the tumor microenvironment, GHR signaling often aberrantly activates, providing crucial growth and survival signals to cancer cells.

Question 3

What is the Significance of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

GHR's role in cancer is clinically important, influencing diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutic strategies. Aberrant GHR signaling drives tumor aggressiveness, impacting patient outcomes and potentially exacerbating metabolic changes. GHR status offers insights for patient stratification and guides interventions.

Question 4

What is the Mechanism of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

Upon GH binding, GHR dimerizes, activating associated JAK2, which phosphorylates the receptor and other signaling proteins. This initiates cascades including STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt pathways. These collectively promote cellular proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, enhance angiogenesis, and facilitate metastasis.

Question 5

What is the Application of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

In clinical practice, the GHR and its pathways represent therapeutic targets for specific cancers. Strategies include somatostatin analogs to suppress GH, GH receptor antagonists like pegvisomant to block GHR, or inhibitors targeting downstream molecules. GHR expression in biopsies serves as a biomarker, guiding response to GHR-modulating therapies.

Question 6

What is the Metric of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

GHR status in cancer is assessed through various clinical and laboratory metrics. Direct GHR expression measurement in tumor tissue uses immunohistochemistry or qPCR. Indirect assessments involve serum GH and IGF-1 levels, as elevated levels often correlate with increased GHR activation. Clinical monitoring includes evaluating tumor growth and patient symptom progression.

Question 7

What is the Risk of GHR in Cancer?

Accepted Answer

Dysregulation of GHR signaling inherently risks contributing to uncontrolled cellular growth and tumor progression. Therapeutic interventions modulating the GHR axis, while beneficial, carry potential risks like metabolic disturbances or impacts on pituitary function. Improper application without medical supervision could exacerbate disease or lead to significant adverse effects.

GHR in Cancer

Meaning

Context

Significance

Mechanism

Application

Metric

Risk

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