Adrenomedullin: exciting new horizons.

Adrenomedullin is a peptide initially isolated from pheochromocytoma. It has a wide distribution and has multiple actions in many systems including the cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, reproductive, immune, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. This is reflected in the patents. These cover the use of adrenomedullin in diagnosis and as a biomarker for prognosis, especially in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It has also been proposed as a therapeutic agent, as a method to promote regeneration and repair, such as in ischaemic conditions and bone fractures. Conversely, its antagonists or antibodies binding it are claimed to have potential use in blocking angiogenesis in cancers.