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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Expression of somatostatin type 2A receptor correlates with estrogen receptor in human breast carcinoma
M Pilichowska1, N Kimura, M Schindler
1Department of Pathology, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
Abstract:
Somatostatin type 2A receptor (sstr2A) has been shown to be directly involved in the transduction of antiproliferative effects and also to be the most predominant sstr subtype in human normal breast epithelium, as well as in human breast carcinoma. We investigated the immunoreactivity of sstr2A in 34 cases of human breast carcinoma and correlated these findings with the immunoreactivity of the estrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) and insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I). We detected sstr2A immunoreactivity in normal mammary tissue, and in 27 of 34 (79%) breast carcinomas. The sstr2A immunoreactivity was localized on the cellular membrane, however, weak cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was also observed. Sstr2A immunoreactivity was heterogenously distributed in the whole tumor section. There was a statistically significant correlation between sstr2A and ER immunoreactivity in the same tumor. No statistically significant correlation was found between sstr2A immunoreactivity and immunoreactivity for EGFR, TGFalpha and IGF-I or the patients' age.
Insights
The somatostatin type 2A receptor (sstr2A) is present in most breast cancers and correlates with estrogen receptor (ER) status. This suggests sstr2A may play a role in breast cancer development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Somatostatin type 2A receptor (sstr2A) is crucial for antiproliferative effects.
- sstr2A is the predominant somatostatin receptor subtype in normal breast epithelium and breast carcinoma.
- Understanding sstr2A expression in breast cancer is vital for potential therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunoreactivity of sstr2A in human breast carcinoma.
- To correlate sstr2A expression with Estrogen Receptor (ER), Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), Transforming Growth Factor alpha (TGFalpha), and Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) immunoreactivity.
- To explore the relationship between sstr2A expression and patient age.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of sstr2A in 34 human breast carcinoma cases and normal mammary tissue.
- Correlation analysis of sstr2A immunoreactivity with ER, EGFR, TGFalpha, and IGF-I.
- Assessment of sstr2A localization (cellular membrane and cytoplasm) and distribution (heterogeneous).
Main Results:
- sstr2A immunoreactivity was detected in normal mammary tissue and 79% of breast carcinomas.
- sstr2A was primarily localized on the cellular membrane, with weaker cytoplasmic presence.
- A significant correlation was observed between sstr2A and ER immunoreactivity.
- No significant correlation was found between sstr2A and EGFR, TGFalpha, IGF-I, or patient age.
Conclusions:
- sstr2A is frequently expressed in human breast carcinomas.
- The significant correlation between sstr2A and ER suggests a potential link in breast cancer biology.
- Further research into sstr2A's role in breast cancer, particularly in relation to ER status, is warranted.
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