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Somatostatin receptor subtype gene expression in human endocrine gastroentero-pancreatic tumours
P Jaïs1, B Terris, P Ruszniewski
1Institut National de la Santé de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) Unité 10, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Pairs, France.
Abstract:
Somatostatin and its analogues are now of current use in the management of endocrine gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) tumours for the purpose of inhibiting hormone hypersecretion, carrying scintigraphy imaging and attempting to slow down tumour growth. Recent molecular studies have revealed the existence of up to five membrane somatostatin receptor subtypes termed SSTR1-5. However, whether or not scintigraphy imaging and tumour characteristics are correlated with specific subtype(s) remains unclear. SSTR1-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts were investigated in 38 endocrine GEP tumours (32 islet cell tumours, six carcinoid) using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and their distribution was analysed with respect to tumour characteristics and scintigraphy imaging. SSTR2, SSTR5 and SSTR4 were detected in most cases of endocrine GEP tumours (92%, 84%, and 82% respectively), but SSTR1 and SSTR3 were less frequently observed (66% and 50% respectively). No clear-cut correlation was found between tumour characteristics and subtype mRNA distribution. Moreover, no differences in mRNA subtype distribution were found between the 17 tumours detected by scintigraphy and the four tumours not detected by this method. Somatostatin receptor mRNA subtypes are widely expressed in endocrine GEP tumours, but their distribution is not correlated with tumour characteristics or scintigraphy positivity.
Insights
Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes are widely found in gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) tumors. However, their expression patterns do not correlate with tumor traits or scintigraphy imaging results.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Somatostatin analogues manage endocrine gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) tumors by inhibiting hormone secretion, aiding imaging, and potentially slowing growth.
- Five somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes (SSTR1-5) have been identified, but their correlation with GEP tumor characteristics and imaging is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of SSTR1-5 mRNA in endocrine GEP tumors.
- To analyze the distribution of SSTR subtypes in relation to tumor characteristics and scintigraphy imaging findings.
Main Methods:
- Investigated SSTR1-5 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts in 38 endocrine GEP tumors (32 islet cell tumors, 6 carcinoid) using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- Analyzed subtype distribution concerning tumor characteristics and scintigraphy imaging.
Main Results:
- SSTR2, SSTR5, and SSTR4 mRNA were detected in most tumors (92%, 84%, 82%).
- SSTR1 and SSTR3 mRNA were less frequent (66%, 50%).
- No significant correlation was found between SSTR subtype mRNA distribution and tumor characteristics or scintigraphy detection.
Conclusions:
- Somatostatin receptor mRNA subtypes are broadly expressed in endocrine GEP tumors.
- The distribution of these subtypes does not correlate with tumor characteristics or scintigraphy positivity.