In vitro and in vivo expression of somatostatin receptors in intermediate and malignant soft tissue tumors.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies showed that the subtype 2 of somatostatin receptors (sstr2) is generally expressed by soft tissue sarcomas.


METHODS
Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the present study evaluated the expression of sstr mRNA in 31 human intermediate and malignant soft tissue tumors. In 8 patients somatostatin receptor scintigraphy was performed to detect soft tissue tumor sites and visualize in vivo sstr expression.


RESULTS
Somatostatin receptors were identified in 84% of the tumors analyzed by RT-PCR analysis. sstr1 and sstr2 were the receptors most frequently detected. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy was able to identify primary and/or metastatic sites in 7 out of 8 patients, with an overall sensitivity per site of 87%. Concordant results were found between in vitro and in vivo techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
The wide expression of sstrs in soft tissue tumors suggest a relevant role for these receptors in diagnosis and may have therapeutic applications.
Florio
Tullio
T
National Institute for Cancer Research, Advanced Biotechnology Center, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
Montella
Liliana
L
Corsaro
Alessandro
A
De Chiara
Annarosaria
A
Apice
Gaetano
G
Fazioli
Flavio
F
Lastoria
Secondo
S
Schettini
Gennaro
G
Palmieri
Giovannella
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin