Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Growth hormone inhibitors in prostate cancer: a systematic analysis
Hans-Peter Schmid1, Joel Gregorin, Jens E Altwein
1Department of Urology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland. hans-peter.schmid@kssg.ch
Objective:
Despite initial therapeutic success through androgen ablation in patients with advanced prostate cancer, the vast majority progress to androgen independence. Somatostatin (SST) analogs are a viable therapeutic modality before resorting to chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Their mechanism of action is related to a reduction in the IGF-1 (survival factor, reaction on neuroendocrine cells) appearing incrementally after long-term androgen deprivation and a possible suppression of GnRH receptors in prostate cancer following exposure to LHRH agonists.
Methods:
The computerized databases Medline, NCBI and OMIM were searched for the terms, somatostatin and prostate cancer, in parallel with printed bibliographic references. Forty-two studies were included and 267 patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) who were treated with SST analogs alone or in combination with other medications, e.g. dexamethasone, were analyzed.
Results:
In 42 studies with 267 AIPC patients, SST analogs were found to be effective, particularly when combined with estrogens or corticosteroids. The side effects are mild and related to the gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusions:
It would be interesting to study SST analogs in randomized trials including patients with well-defined AIPC. Whether SST analogs could be given earlier during sequential hormonal therapy remains to be studied.
Insights
Somatostatin analogs show promise for treating advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. These analogs are effective, especially when combined with other treatments, and have mild side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced prostate cancer often progresses to an androgen-independent state despite initial androgen ablation therapy.
- Somatostatin (SST) analogs represent a potential therapeutic option for patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC).
- SST analogs may counteract the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and suppress gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors, which are implicated in prostate cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of somatostatin analogs in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.
- To review existing literature on the use of SST analogs as a therapeutic modality for AIPC.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of Medline, NCBI, and OMIM databases was conducted using terms 'somatostatin' and 'prostate cancer'.
- Forty-two studies involving 267 patients with AIPC treated with SST analogs, alone or in combination with other medications, were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Somatostatin analogs demonstrated effectiveness in treating AIPC, particularly when administered concurrently with estrogens or corticosteroids.
- The observed side effects associated with SST analog treatment were generally mild and primarily gastrointestinal in nature.
Conclusions:
- Further investigation of SST analogs in well-defined AIPC patient cohorts through randomized controlled trials is warranted.
- The optimal timing for initiating SST analog therapy within sequential hormonal treatment strategies requires additional study.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity