IngentaConnect The clinical response to somatostatin analogues in acromegaly cor...

Abstract:

Summary Objective

Reduced expression of the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) has been suggested as an explanation for the poor response to octreotide in acromegaly, but studies correlating levels of SSTR2 mRNA to octreotide efficacy have been contradictory. Some studies have found better responses to somatostatin analogues in G-protein α subunit (Gsα) mutation (gsp oncogene)-positive adenomas. The aim of this study was to determine adenoma SSTR2a protein expression and gsp status in a large group of patients with acromegaly, and relate this to the clinical effect of octreotide. Patients

Seventy-one patients were included. All underwent transsphenoidal surgery, 23 patients after preoperative octreotide treatment. Measurements

The adenoma SSTR2a expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, and gsp status determined. An acute octreotide test was performed, and the change in IGF-1 level after 6 months preoperative octreotide treatment was recorded. Results

The acute octreotide response in non-pretreated patients and the preoperative long-term octreotide response were significantly better in patients with adenomas containing a large proportion of cells that stained positively for SSTR2a by immunohistochemistry. However, the SSTR2a protein level assessed by Western blot did not correlate with the octreotide response. The preoperatively treated group had lower SSTR2a protein levels and fewer adenomas with a large percentage of positively stained cells. The gsp oncogene was detected in 43% of the adenomas but did not correlate to the octreotide response. Conclusion

The clinical effect of octreotide correlates with the proportion of cells positive for SSTR2a in immunohistochemical staining, rather than the adenoma SSTR2a protein level. There may be a down-regulation of SSTR2a during octreotide treatment.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03065.x

Affiliations: 1: Pathology Clinic, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Centre, 2: Hormone Laboratory, Aker University Hospital, University of Oslo and Departments of 3: Radiology and 4: Neurosurgery, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Centre, Oslo, Norway 5: Section of Endocrinology, Medical Clinic and

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The clinical response to somatostatin analogues in acromegaly correlates to the somatostatin receptor subtype 2a protein expression of the adenoma