Insulin and ACTH production by a streptozotocin responsive islet cell carcinoma

We describe a patient with insulin and ACTH production by an islet cell carcinoma with hepatic metastases and cite three previously reported cases of this bihormonal production. The patient was treated with multiple instillations of streptozotocin, a drug with specific beta cell toxicity. After therapy, insulin and ACTH levels declined. These responses after the administration of a drug with beta cell specificity are evidence that both insulin and ACTH were produced by beta cells rather than by multiple cell types.