Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor content in human glioma and normal brain

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) has been put forward as a therapeutic target in brain tumors. Here we evaluated GRPR presence in glioma specimens from patients as well as in normal human brain samples. Sections of paraffin-embedded brain tumors and non-neoplastic control brain tissue were analyzed with immunohistochemistry for GRPR content. Digital image analysis revealed that 100% of glioma samples were GRPR-positive, with a mean index of 4972 pixels. In normal brain tissue, GRPR was detected in neurons, but not glial cells. This study is the first to confirm the presence of GRPR in human glioma specimens and normal human neurons.