Expression of potential therapeutic target SSTR2a in primary and metastatic non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Somatostatin receptor 2a (SSTR2a) is an important diagnostic and scintigraphic marker in several tumors, as well as a potential therapeutic target. However, the expression and clinicopathologic significance of SSTR2a in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unknown.

The expression of SSTR2a was retrospectively analyzed in a large series of NPC tissue samples (106 primary NPC samples, comprising 99 primary non-keratinizing NPC (NK-NPC) and 7 keratinizing NPC (K-NPC) samples, and 41 metastatic NPC samples) by immunohistochemistry, with 24 cases of normal nasopharyngeal mucosa tissues used as a control group. Normal epithelia in nasopharyngeal mucosa were negative for SSTR2a in all 24 cases. The expression of SSTR2a in primary NPC was correlated to the histological subtype. Most cases of primary NK-NPC showed expression of SSTR2a (93.9%, 93/99 cases). The percentage of SSTR2a-positive tumor cells ranged from 10 to 100%, while the intensity ranged from 2+ to 4+. None of the primary K-NPC samples showed SSTR2a expression (0/7, 100%). All cases of NPC showed negative expression of other neuroendocrine markers, including synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and CD56. Of all 41 cases of metastatic NK-NPC lesions, SSTR2a expression is concordant with that of the primary lesions, which shows statistical significance (p < 0.001).

Our observations expand the spectrum of recognized SSTR2a-positive tumors and demonstrate for the first time that SSTR2a is frequently expressed in primary and metastatic NK-NPC, highlighting its potential as a scintigraphic and therapeutic target in this disease.

 

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See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

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- 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, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2018 Sep: 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, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of somatostatin, curcumin, and quercetin on the fatty acid profile of breast cancer cell membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2020 Sep: Two neuroendocrine G protein-coupled receptor molecules, somatostatin and melatonin: Physiology of signal transduction and therapeutic perspectives (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);

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