Published on Friday, 11 January 2019
Abstract
Somatostatin is a peptide hormone that normally suppresses growth hormone (GH), thyrotropin (TSH), insulin and gut hormone release, as well as affecting multiple aspects of gastrointestinal function.
It achieves these pleiotropic effects by binding somatostatin receptors (SSTR), a family of five G-protein coupled membrane receptors.
Somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide, lanreotide and vapreotide, are well-established treatments for tumors that over secrete these hormones.
Recently, use of somatostatin analogs for treating nonendocrine malignancies are being explored.
Hu et al. found progressive reduction in SSTR3 expression when comparing normal gastric mucosa versus well differentiated versus poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas; octreotide inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in vitro of those cells expressing SSTR3.
Potential mechanisms by which somatostatin analogs may be useful in oncology include its endocrine actions, autocrine/paracrine effects, SSTR-mediated cell signaling and SSTR-mediated cell labeling.
About this Commentary.
See also:
- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;
- Comment on: "The effect of somatostatin and SSTR3 on proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer cells";
- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Somatostatin, Octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, analogues and/or derivatives);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Calcium, 2 grams per day, orally);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);
- The Synergism of Somatostatin, Melatonin, Vitamins Prolactin and Estrogen Inhibitors Increased Survival, Objective Response and Performance Status In 297 Cases of Breast Cancer;
- Complete objective response, stable for 5 years, with the Di Bella Method, of multiple-metastatic carcinoma of the breast;
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonin, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report;
- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 122 cases of breast cancer;
- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma;
- 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;
- 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;
- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients with low performance status;
- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and low performance status;
- Observations on the Report of a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lymph node, hepatic and osseus metastasis;
- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;
- Cyclophosphamide plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptin, Retinoids, Melatonin and ACTH in the Treatment of Low-grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas at Advanced Stage: Results of a Phase II Trial;
- Relapse of High-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Melatonin, Retinoids, and ACTH;
- Low-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at Advanced Stage: A Case Successfully Treated With Cyclophosphamide Plus Somatostatin, Bromocriptine, Retinoids, and Melatonin;
- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 55 cases of Lymphomas;
- Large B-cells Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage IV-AE: a Case Report;
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage III-B-E: a Case Report;
- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;
- Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: clinical records on 17 patients treated with Di Bella's Method;
- The Di Bella Method Increases by the 30% the survival rate for Pancreas tumors and for this reason should be proposed as first line therapy for this type of cancer.
