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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Quantitation of Protein Expression and Co-localization Using Multiplexed Immuno-histochemical Staining and Multispectral Imaging
Published on: April 8, 2016
Evaluation of Somatostatin and CXCR4 Receptor Expression in a Large Set of Prostate Cancer Samples Using Tissue
Christoph Werner1, Olaf Dirsch2, Uta Dahmen3
1Department of Internal Medicine III, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Background:
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer among men in Western countries. Despite numerous therapeutic options, few treatments are available for patients with end-stage disease. In the present study, different somatostatin receptors (SSTs) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 were evaluated for their suitability as novel therapeutic targets in PCa.
Materials And Methods:
The expression of SST subtypes 1, 2A, 3, and 5 and of CXCR4 was evaluated in 276 PCa tumor samples on a tissue microarray (TMA) in 23 whole-block tumor samples and in 3 PCa cell lines by immunohistochemistry using well-characterized monoclonal antibodies.
Results:
Overall, the frequency and intensity of expression of SSTs and CXCR4 were very low among the PCa samples investigated. Specifically, SST5, SST2A, and SST3 were expressed, albeit at low intensity, in 10.5%, 9.1%, and 0.7% of the TMA samples, respectively. None of the TMA samples showed SST1 or CXCR4 expression. Only a single small-cell-type neuroendocrine carcinoma that was coincidentally included among the whole-block samples exhibited strong SST2A, SST5, and CXCR4 and moderate SST3 expression. Independent of the tumor cells, the tumor capillaries in many of the PCa samples were strongly positive for SST2A, SST3, SST5, or CXCR4 expression. SST expression in the tumor cells was associated with advanced tumor grade and stage.
Conclusion:
Overall, SST and CXCR4 expression levels are clearly of no therapeutic relevance in PCa. SST- or CXCR4-based therapy might be feasible, however, in rare cases of small-cell-type neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate.
Insights
Somatostatin receptors (SSTs) and CXCR4 are not therapeutically relevant targets in most prostate cancers (PCa). However, these targets may be viable for rare neuroendocrine prostate carcinomas.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Prostate cancer (PCa) is a prevalent malignancy in Western countries.
- Limited treatment options exist for end-stage PCa.
- Novel therapeutic targets are needed for advanced PCa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate somatostatin receptors (SSTs) and CXCR4 as potential therapeutic targets in PCa.
- To assess the expression of SST subtypes (1, 2A, 3, 5) and CXCR4 in PCa.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze SST and CXCR4 expression.
- 276 PCa tissue microarray samples, 23 whole-block tumor samples, and 3 PCa cell lines were examined.
- Well-characterized monoclonal antibodies were employed.
Main Results:
- SSTs and CXCR4 showed very low expression in most PCa samples.
- SST5, SST2A, and SST3 were expressed at low levels in 10.5%, 9.1%, and 0.7% of samples, respectively.
- Tumor vasculature, but not tumor cells, frequently expressed SSTs and CXCR4.
- One neuroendocrine carcinoma sample showed high expression of SST2A, SST5, CXCR4, and moderate SST3.
Conclusions:
- SST and CXCR4 expression is generally not therapeutically relevant in PCa.
- SST- or CXCR4-based therapies may be applicable to rare neuroendocrine prostate carcinomas.
- SST expression in tumor cells correlated with advanced tumor grade and stage.
