Paratharmone related protein (peptide): A novel prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic marker in Head & Neck cancer

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a promising modality of assessment of different critical features of cancer. It is a protein member of parathyroid hormone family, secreted by certain physiologic cells and by malignant tumors in an increased amount. Recent studies have confirmed that PTHrP massively contributes to malignant behaviour of oral cancers-cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Strong correlation was found between PTHrP overexpression and local bone invasion and percentage of tumor cells in metastatic nodes. Normal range of PTHrP in serum is 0.7-2.6 ρmol/litre. Its down-regulation blocks cell cycle of cancer cell lines and inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation. PTHrP can be used as a diagnostic aid, prognostic marker and excellent research arena for designing novel anti-neoplastic drugs.