Somatostatin and somatostatin receptor subtype gene expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

The possible existence of an autocrine/paracrine role for SRIF in normal and neoplastic thyroid parafollicular C cells has supported the use of SRIF analogues in the treatment of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

In this study, we have investigated the expression of SRIF by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and the expression of SRIF receptor (SSTR) subtypes by RT-PCR, in a series of 14 MTCs.

SRIF messenger RNA was detected in all cases, although immunoreactive cells were only identified in 8.

SSTR messenger RNA was present in 12 out of the 14 tumors.

Expression of more than 1 SSTR subtype was detected in 10 tumors.

SSTR2, the subtype that preferentially binds to the SRIF analogue octreotide, was the subtype most frequently detected, whereas SSTR4 was not detected in any case.

These results confirm the frequent expression of both SRIF and its receptors in MTC.

The presence of different combinations of SSTR subtypes in a given patient may explain the variable clinical response to SRIF analogues and may promote the search for more selective drugs with different affinities to the various receptor subtypes.

 

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See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Calcium, 2 grams per day, orally);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Somatostatin, Octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, analogues and/or derivatives);

- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication: The over-expression of GH/GHR in tumour tissues with respect to healthy ones confirms its oncogenic role and the consequent oncosuppressor role of its physiological inhibitor, somatostatin: a review of the literature (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck;

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide;

- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;

- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response.