Clinical Evaluation of Response to Octreotide and Chemotherapy in High-Grade Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors and Promising In Vitro Preclinical Results with Pasireotide

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2024-06, Vol.60 (7), p.1039
• Main Authors: Doello, Kevin, Chico, Maria Angeles, Quiñonero, Francisco, Ortiz, Raúl, Prados, Jose, Mesas, Cristina, Melguizo, Consolación
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use; carcinoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Chemotherapy; FDA approval; Female; Humans; Lung cancer; Male; Medical prognosis; Metastasis; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine tumors; Neuroendocrine Tumors - drug therapy; Nuclear medicine; Octreotide - pharmacology; Octreotide - therapeutic use; pasireotide; Receptors, Somatostatin - analysis; Retrospective Studies; Somatostatin - analogs & derivatives; Somatostatin - pharmacology; Somatostatin - therapeutic use; somatostatin receptors; Statistical analysis; Thyroid gland
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina60071039

: High-grade malignant neuroendocrine tumors (G3 NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are characterized by rapid proliferation, high metastatic capacity, and strong expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). We aimed to analyze the presence of SSTRs in NET G3 and NEC, and to correlate their expression with the use of octreotide and pasireotide. : For this purpose, we first performed a retrospective study of G3 NET and NEC patients, which included the determination of SSTR expression and response to octreotide treatment. Second, we selected the H69 small cell lung cancer cell line to determine the effect of octreotide and pasireotide. : Our results showed the traditional somatostatin analog (SSA) octreotide was ineffective in patients with NET G3 and NEC. On the other hand, RT-qPCR showed a high expression of SSTR2 and SSTR5 in H69 cells. Interestingly, while octreotide did not modify H69 cell proliferation, a strong inhibition of proliferation was detected with the use of pasireotide. : In view of these results, a clinical trial in NET G3 and NEC patients using pasireotide is necessary to determine the usefulness of this drug in improving patient treatment.