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The expression of somatostatin receptors 3, 4 and 5 in laryngeal pathology

Luke T Condon1, Nicholas D Stafford, Karen J Bedford

  • 1Academic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ, UK. lukecondon2000@hotmail.com

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology : Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : Affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
|December 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes 3, 4, and 5 in laryngeal pathology. SSTR5 was highly expressed in benign, pre-malignant, and malignant laryngeal tissues, suggesting a potential therapeutic role.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Conventional chemotherapy offers limited curative options for laryngeal carcinoma.
  • Advanced laryngeal cancer mortality rates have shown minimal improvement over two decades.
  • Somatostatin, a peptide with anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties, acts via five receptor subtypes (SSTRs 1-5).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes 3, 4, and 5 in benign, pre-malignant, and malignant laryngeal specimens.
  • To build upon previous findings of SSTR1 and SSTR2 expression, including the loss of SSTR2 in laryngeal carcinoma.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic implications of somatostatin receptors in laryngeal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze the expression of SSTR3, SSTR4, and SSTR5.
  • Specimens included benign (Reinke's oedema), pre-malignant, and malignant laryngeal tissues.
  • Expression levels were quantified and compared across the different pathological groups.

Main Results:

  • SSTR3 expression was minimal, detected in only 17% of benign/pre-malignant and 25% of malignant specimens.
  • SSTR4 expression varied, with higher levels in malignant (67%) compared to benign (50%) and pre-malignant (17%) tissues.
  • SSTR5 demonstrated moderate to high expression across all groups: 67% benign, 100% pre-malignant, and 83% malignant cases.
  • All laryngeal carcinomas expressed either SSTR4 or SSTR5 (60% expressed both), while SSTR3 was rarely expressed.

Conclusions:

  • Somatostatin receptor subtype 5 is consistently expressed in laryngeal pathology, including cancer.
  • The co-expression of SSTR4 and SSTR5 in laryngeal carcinomas warrants further investigation.
  • Somatostatin receptors represent a promising area for future therapeutic strategies in laryngeal carcinoma treatment.

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