The majority of in vivo studies showed a null or inverse association of ghrelin with risk and progression of most cancers , suggesting that ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonist treatment may have a favorable safety profile to use for cancer cachexia .
Ghrelin is a hormone with multiple physiologic functions , including promotion of growth hormone release , stimulation of appetite and regulation of energy homeostasis .
Treatment with ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonists is a prospect i ve therapy for disease-related cachexia and malnutrition .
In vitro studies have shown high expression of ghrelin in cancer tissue , although its role including its impact in cancer risk and progression has not been established .
Serum Ghrelin Levels and Risk of Subsequent Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus
OBJECTIVE : Several large studies have shown a negative association between Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) infection and esophageal adenocarcinoma .  Diminution of gastric ghrelin secretion by H. pylori could protect against esophageal malignancy by decreasing appetite , food intake , and acid production , thereby decreasing weight and gastroesophageal reflux . METHODS : We evaluated the association of ghrelin with esophageal adenocarcinoma using a population from a previous nested case-control study . Among 128,992 enrolled in a multiphasic health checkup ( MHC ) between 1964 and 1969 , 52 patients developed esophageal adenocarcinoma by the year 2000 . Three r and om controls from the MHC cohort were matched to each case by age , sex , race , and the date and site of their MHC . Serum sample s collected at the MHC had been previously tested for IgG antibodies against H. pylori and the CagA protein . Serum ghrelin concentrations were determined by a commercial EIA on 52 % of the initial subjects ( 31 cases and 79 controls ) . RESULTS : A concentration of ghrelin greater than 3,200 pg/mL at MHC ( fourth quartile ) was associated with a lower risk of esophageal cancer ( H. pylori and body mass index [ BMI ] adjusted OR = 0.18 [ CI 0.04–0.78 ] ) . This inverse association was seen only in overweight subjects ( BMI ≥ 25 , P value for interaction = 0.09 ) . The effects of H. pylori and ghrelin were independent . CONCLUSION : Contrary to the original hypothesis , high rather than low serum ghrelin was associated with protection against esophageal adenocarcinoma but only among overweight subjects
The majority of in vivo studies showed a null or inverse association of ghrelin with risk and progression of most cancers , suggesting that ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonist treatment may have a favorable safety profile to use for cancer cachexia .
Ghrelin is a hormone with multiple physiologic functions , including promotion of growth hormone release , stimulation of appetite and regulation of energy homeostasis .
Treatment with ghrelin/ghrelin-receptor agonists is a prospect i ve therapy for disease-related cachexia and malnutrition .
In vitro studies have shown high expression of ghrelin in cancer tissue , although its role including its impact in cancer risk and progression has not been established .