Somatostatin receptor imaging and therapy of pancreatic endocrine tumors

Ann Oncol. 1999:10 Suppl 4:177-81.

Abstract

Somatostatin receptors (SS-Rs) have been found on a variety of neuroendocrine tumors like carcinoids, paragangliomas, as well as on brain and breast tumors. SS-Rs are also present on most pancreatic endocrine tumors, while previous in vitro studies indicate the absence of these receptors on pancreatic duct cancers. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with a radionuclide labeled somatostatin analogue, [111In-DTPA0]-octreotide, is a sensitive and specific technique to visualize in vivo the presence of SS-Rs on various tumors. The purpose of this article is to review the somatostatin receptor imaging of pancreatic endocrine tumors and to illustrate the impact of SS-R expression for therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apudoma / chemistry
  • Apudoma / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Indium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Octreotide / metabolism
  • Octreotide / therapeutic use
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Pentetic Acid
  • Receptors, Somatostatin / analysis*

Substances

  • Indium Radioisotopes
  • Receptors, Somatostatin
  • Pentetic Acid
  • Octreotide