Neuropeptides in neurological tumours.

Concentrations of seven neuropeptides have been determined in 69 human neurological tumours. The majority of tumours were intrinsic to the central nervous system, being astrocytomas. In general, within the the better differentiated tumours (Grade I/II astrocytomas) higher concentrations of five neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and cholecystokinin) were measured in comparison to the poorly differentiated tumours. Of the metastatic tumours, five were derived from oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus. Very high concentrations of bombesin were identified in these metastases.