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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 19, 2013
Localization and mRNA expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in human prostatic tissue and prostate cancer cell
Nishtman Dizeyi1, Lutz Konrad, Anders Bjartell
1Departments of Urology and Pathology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. nishtman.dizeyi@kir.mas.lu.se
Abstract:
Somatostatin (SST) plays an important regulatory role in the physiological control of various organs including the prostate. Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and SST analogs are potential targets for prostate cancer treatment, especially since it has been shown that SST analogues are clinically effective in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The presence of SST containing neuroendocrine (NE) cells in the epithelium of the human prostate and their suggested role in the paracrine regulation of this gland prompted us to study the potential expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in human prostatic tissue and prostate cancer cell lines. Using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we found the SSTR subtypes 1-3 in stromal cells and in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, PC-3 and DU 145. Immunohistochemical analysis of 27 radical prostatectomy specimens demonstrated the presence of hSSTR1 in a subpopulation of cancerous and NE cells, whereas hSSTR2 was found in the stroma, peritumoral blood vessels and tumor cells. Receptor subtype 3 was demonstrated to be present on the cell membrane of BPH and malignant areas. A strong immunoreaction (IR) of hSSTR4 was found in tumor cells, as compared with a less intense IR in adjacent BPH areas. Somatostatin receptor subtype 5 was not detectable. Western blot analysis revealed immunoreactive bands of molecular weight between 44-60 kDa. In summary, the present study clearly demonstrates the presence of hSSTR1-3 in tumoral and nontumoral epithelial cells as well as in the stromal compartment, whereas hSSTR4 was found to be confined to epithelial cells, and SSTR5 was not detectable.
Insights
Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are present in prostate tissues and cell lines. This finding supports SSTRs as potential therapeutic targets for prostate cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Somatostatin (SST) regulates prostate physiology.
- Neuroendocrine (NE) cells in the prostate suggest a paracrine regulatory role for SST.
- SST analogs are effective in advanced prostate cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression in human prostate tissue and cancer cell lines.
- Determine the localization and subtypes of SSTRs in normal and cancerous prostate.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SSTR gene expression.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of prostatectomy specimens.
- Western blot analysis.
Main Results:
- SSTR subtypes 1-3 were found in stromal cells and prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, DU 145).
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed hSSTR1 in cancerous/NE cells, hSSTR2 in stroma/vasculature/tumor cells, and hSSTR3 on cell membranes of BPH and malignant areas.
- Strong hSSTR4 immunoreaction was observed in tumor cells, while hSSTR5 was undetectable.
Conclusions:
- SSTR1-3 are present in both tumoral and nontumoral prostate epithelial and stromal cells.
- hSSTR4 is localized to epithelial cells, and hSSTR5 is not detectable in prostate tissue.
- These findings highlight SSTRs as potential therapeutic targets for prostate cancer.
