Editorial [Hot Topic: GHRH Analogs and Cancer (Guest Editor: Hippokratis Kiaris )]

Although discovered a few decades ago, growth hormone - releasing hormone (GHRH) was thought until recently to have only a single function, namely the regulation of growth hormone release from the pituitary. However, new evidence has provided strong support to the notion that additional physiological and patho-physiological processes, and including carcinogenesis, might be regulated by GHRH. Recently, interest in this small neuropeptide has been increasing steadily and has resulted in the development of GHRH analogs that modulate its activity and potentially might be used as agents that permit clinical intervention. In this special issue of Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening an attempt was made to provide the state of the art with respect to information in this field. Contributions include both review and original research papers related to chemical and biological synthesis of GHRH analogs, as well as the biological consequenses of such compounds. Articles on GH secretagogues were also included in this effort considering that the complexity of growth hormone regulation has only recently begun to unravel. It is the contributors' and the special editor's hope that this attempt will stimulate further interest regarding the role and use of GH regulatory agents in health and disease.