PROLACTIN - ONE OF THE FEW REAL SUCCESS STORIES IN MODERN MEDICINE

Ten years ago prolactin was stijl an unknown quantity, but the situation has now changed dramatically. There has been a surge of interest in prolactin because of 2 developments:

• The hormone was isolated and purified and accurate radioimmunoassays were developed for it. • The Sandoz Company of Basel produced bromocriptine, which has proved highly successful iri irihibitingprolactin

secretion and also safe in clinical use. Bromocriptine has been successfullY used to treat puerperal lactation, to inhibit prolactin secretion by pituitary tumours, to treat infertility and the premenstrual syndrome. in acromegaly and in Parkinsonism. Prolactin also plays a role in calcium metabolism. diabetes and schizophrenia, but it is not yet known whether bromocriptine will prove useful in these conditions. The story of prolactin in the last ten years is one of the few real success storieS in modern medicine. illustrating beautifully the importance of effective cooperation between the basic sciences and clinical practice. The introduction of bromocriptine has proved a major therapeutic advance in a number of areas. It seems to be the fIrst member of an exciting new range of therapeutic substances. Horrobin. D.F.: Drugs 17: 409 (May 1979)

4 INPHARMA 26 May 1979 0156-2703/79/0526-0004 $OQ.50/0 ©ADiS Press