Neuroblastoma. Correlation of neuropeptide expression in tumor tissue with other prognostic factors

Background. The neuropeptide contents in neuro‐blastomas were quantified by radioimmunoassay (RIA) to assess their possible biologic significance. Methods. Neuroblastoma tumor tissue was obtained from the primary tumor site before therapy in 16 patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma and in 7 patients with central nervous system medulloblastomas or gliomas. Results. The tumor tissue was assayed for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SRIF), substance P, and neurotensin by both immunostaining and RIA techniques. Increased VIP levels of 1.2 pg/μg DNA or more correlated significantly with cellular differentiation (P = 0.003) and favorable disease stage (P = 0.002) in neuroblastomas. Increased SRIF contents (> 1.3 pg/μg DNA) correlated with differentiation of the tumor (P = 0.002). Increased VIP and SRIF content did not correlate with N‐myc oncogene expression or ras oncogene protein immunostaining. No VIP was detectable in brain tumors, and other neuropeptides were variable in content. Conclusions. RIA of VIP and SRIF levels in primary tumor tissue may offer an independent objective assay of biologic behavior in neuroblastoma biopsy specimens. Cancer 1992; 70: 2005‐2012.