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Published on: December 7, 2019
Somatostatin receptor expression in thymic tumors
Diego Ferone1, Liliana Montella, Annarosaria De Chiara
1Department of Endocrinology and Medical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 6, Genova.
Abstract:
Detection of thymic tumors by (111In-DTPA0)octreotide scintigraphy and the antitumor effect exerted by somatostatin (SS) analogs suggest significant expression of SS receptors (SSRs) in these tumors. We measured SSR subtype (sst)2A and sst3 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 14 thymic tumors previously studied by SSR scintigraphy (SRS). Scintigraphy showed significant (111In-DTPA0)octreotide uptake in 13/14 tumors (tumor-to-background ratios: 1.4- to 6-fold). By IHC, 4 tumors were positive for sst2A and sst3; two for sst2A and five tumors for sst3. Three tumors were completely negative. Overall, 11/14 (approximately 78% of cases) expressed at least one SSR subtype. Staining was highly heterogeneous: sst2A was confined to malignant epithelial cells or within stromal structures, and sst3 was predominantly associated with thymocytes. SRS provides immediate visualization of primary and metastatic lesions, while IHC reveals SSR subtype expression. This joined approach could help to select SS analogs beneficial for therapy.
Insights
Thymic tumors express somatostatin receptors (SSRs), confirmed by scintigraphy and immunohistochemistry. This finding aids in selecting somatostatin analogs for effective thymic tumor therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Thymic tumors may express somatostatin receptors (SSRs), suggested by scintigraphy uptake and somatostatin analog efficacy.
- Somatostatin receptor (SSRs) expression is a potential therapeutic target in thymic malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of specific somatostatin receptor (SSR) subtypes (sst2A and sst3) in thymic tumors.
- To correlate somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) findings with immunohistochemistry (IHC) results for SSR subtypes in thymic tumors.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 14 thymic tumors using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for sst2A and sst3 receptor expression.
- Compared IHC results with prior somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) data, including tumor-to-background ratios.
Main Results:
- Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) showed significant uptake in 13 out of 14 thymic tumors.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed that 11 out of 14 tumors (78%) expressed at least one SSR subtype (sst2A or sst3).
- SSR expression was heterogeneous, with sst2A found in epithelial cells/stroma and sst3 predominantly in thymocytes.
Conclusions:
- Somatostatin receptor (SSR) expression is common in thymic tumors, detectable by both scintigraphy and IHC.
- The combined approach of SRS and IHC can guide the selection of somatostatin analogs for targeted therapy in thymic tumors.
