β-HCG as a Tumor Biomarker with Special Reference to Breast Cancer

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000234

Received: July 18, 2017;   Published: August 01, 2017

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Abstract

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a placental protein hormone initially secreted by cells (syncitiotrophoblasts) from the implanting conceptus. It supports the ovarian corpus luteum, endometrial lining and consequently maintains pregnancy [1]. The hormone can be detected in blood and urine, as it is the basis of many pregnancy tests. HCG plays many other roles including stimulating the onset of fetal gonadal steroidogenesis, promotion production of corpus luteal progesterone, immuno-suppression and blockage of phagocytosis of invading trophoblast cells, cytotrophoblast differentiation, growth and differentiation of fetal organs [2].

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