Antiproliferative effect of somatostatin and analogs
Abstract
Over the past decade, antiproliferative effects of somatostatin and analogs have been reported in many somatostatin receptor-positive normal and tumor cell types.
Regarding the molecular mechanisms involved, somatostatin or analogs mediate their action through both indirect and direct effects. Somatostatin acts through five somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5) which are variably expressed in normal and tumor cells.
These receptors regulate a variety of signal transduction pathways including inhibition of adenylate cyclase, regulation of ion channels, regulation of serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and phosphatases.
This review focuses on recent advances in biological mechanisms involved in the antineoplastic activity of somatostatin and analogs.