Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

A Practical Guide for the Production and PET/CT Imaging of 68Ga-DOTATATE for Neuroendocrine Tumors in Daily Clinical Practice
08:55

A Practical Guide for the Production and PET/CT Imaging of 68Ga-DOTATATE for Neuroendocrine Tumors in Daily Clinical Practice

Published on: April 17, 2019

Peptide receptor targeting in cancer: the somatostatin paradigm

Federica Barbieri1, Adriana Bajetto, Alessandra Pattarozzi

  • 1Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2 16132 Genova, Italy.

International Journal of Peptides
|March 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Somatostatin (SST) and its receptors show potential in cancer therapy by inhibiting tumor growth and angiogenesis. Further research into SST receptor functions in various cancers may expand therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Oncology
  • Molecular Biology and Pharmacology

Background:

  • Somatostatin (SST) is a peptide hormone with diverse physiological roles, acting as an inhibitor of secretion and a neurotransmitter.
  • SST exerts its effects through five G-protein-coupled receptors (sst1-5), influencing endocrine, exocrine, and central nervous system functions.
  • While SST's antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects in cancer are known, its precise roles and receptor functions in various tumor types require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the expression and functional roles of somatostatin (SST) and its receptors in tumor cells.
  • To explore the potential of SST receptors as therapeutic targets in a broader range of cancer types beyond current applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature focusing on somatostatin (SST) and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression and function in cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways, receptor dimerization, trafficking, and cross-talk with growth factor receptors.
  • Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo studies on SST's effects on cancer cells and experimental tumors.

Main Results:

  • Somatostatin (SST) demonstrates significant antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effects on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
  • SST agonists are clinically validated for treating pituitary adenomas and gastro-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
  • Expression of SST receptors in diverse tumor histotypes suggests potential for broader pharmacological applications, though clinical success is not yet widespread.

Conclusions:

  • Somatostatin (SST) and its receptors are critical players in pathophysiological processes and represent promising therapeutic targets in oncology.
  • The established efficacy of SST agonists in specific tumors warrants further investigation into their expression and functional roles across various cancer types.
  • Expanding the therapeutic use of SST receptor-targeting agents to other histotypes holds significant potential for novel cancer treatments.

More Related Videos

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT10:28

Gene Regulation and Targeted Therapy in Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis: Radiological Findings from Dual Energy CT and PET/CT

Published on: January 22, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...