Hormonal control of pancreatic cancer growth

Expression and differential signaling of heregulins in pancreatic cancer cells

The EGF family of ligands and receptors plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and contributes to its aggressiveness. A number of molecular approaches have been developed to block these pathways, and studies have already proven the clinical benefit of this concept in PDAC. In the present study, we sought to determine the potential role of heregulins (HRGs), a family of EGF-like growth factors, in PDAC. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that HRGs as well as its signaling ErbB receptors were present in 4 of 4 human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PCCL). HRG-beta1 stimulated the growth of 3 of 4 PCCL, whereas HRG-alpha1 inhibited cell growth in 3 of 4 cell lines. Responses towards HRGs could in part be predicted by ErbB2 and ErbB3 expression levels. HRGs induced phosphorylation of different ErbB receptors as well as activation of MAPK, p38MAPK, JNK and PI3K in a cell- and ligand-specific manner. In vivo, HRG was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and localized predominantly in the cancer cells. High HRG-beta levels but not HRG-alpha levels were associated with decreased patient survival. In conclusion, HRG is expressed by pancreatic cancer cells and influences pancreatic cancer cell growth and patient survival.

Somatostatin, Somatostatin Receptors, and Pancreatic Cancer

Somatostatin may play an important role in the regulation of cancer growth including pancreatic cancer by interaction with somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on the cell surface. Five SSTRs were cloned, and the function of these SSTRs is addressed in this review. SSTR-2, SSTR-5, and SSTR-1 are thought to play major roles in inhibiting pancreatic cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. SSTR-3 may be involved in mediating apoptosis, but the role of SSTR-4 is not clear. In most pancreatic cancers, functional SSTRs are absent. Reintroduction of SSTR genes has been shown to inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in cell cultures and animal models.

Proliferative and apoptotic responses in cancers with special reference to oral cancer

The study of signal transduction pathways for mechanisms of apoptosis and proliferation has significantly advanced our understanding of human cancer, subsequently leading to more effective treatments. Discoveries of growth factors and oncogenes, especially those that function through phosphorylation on tyrosine residues, have greatly benefited our appreciation of the biology of cancer. The regulation of proliferation and apoptosis through phosphorylation via tyrosine kinases and phosphatases is discussed, as well as the contributions of other systems, such as serine and threonine kinases and phosphatases. Receptors with seven-transmembrane domains, steroid hormones, genes, and "death domains" will also be discussed. This review attempts to compare the regulation of the growth of normal tissues and cancers with an effort to highlight the current knowledge of these factors in the growth regulation of oral/oropharyngeal cancers. Despite the strides made in our understanding of growth regulation in human cancers, the study of oral/oropharyngeal cancer specifically lags behind. More research must be done to further our understanding of oral cancer biology, if we are to develop better, more effective treatment protocols.

Inhibitory effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells

Numerous studies have reported diverse effects of gut-derived regulatory peptides on growth of the normal pancreas, pancreatic neoplasms induced experimentally in animals, and pancreatic cancer cell lines, but the results of these investigations are rather controversial. The stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation of pancreatic cell lines is well established. Whether this action can be modulated by somatostatin is not clear. Furthermore, it is not certain whether another regulatory peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), affects the proliferation of these cells. In the present study we investigated the presence of CCK-A and CCK-B, as well as somatostatin-2 (SSTR2) receptors by RT-PCR, and studied the actions of EGF, CCK and octreotide on DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-2. Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue was used as somatostatin agonist. Cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. They were incubated in serum free medium containing 0.2% BSA in the absence (control) or the presence of the peptides. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA was measured after 48 h of incubation. By means of RT-PCR analysis we were able to demonstrate SSTR2 expression, but not CCK-A or CCK-B receptor mRNA in Capan-2 cells. DNA synthesis evaluated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation was found to be increased by 45.2 +/- 5.6% in response to EGF (10(-8) M) and decreased by 11.7 +/- 2.6% to octreotide (10(-8) M) compared to controls (P < 0.01). The increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly lower when EGF treatment was combined with octreotide administration (10.1 +/- 2.5% over control). In the concentration range of 10(-11)-10(-8) M, CCK did not alter significantly the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA in Capan-2 cells. In conclusion, these data support a role for EGF as a growth factor for the human pancreatic cancer cell Capan-2. Somatostatin may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells both under basal, and growth factor-stimulated conditions. Our results suggest, however, that CCK receptors are not expressed, and CCK does not affect cell proliferation in this transformed pancreatic cell line.

Activation of MAP kinases in growth responsive pancreatic cancer cells

The implication of MAP kinases in the proliferation control of pancreatic cancer cells is still unknown. This study was undertaken to examine the contribution of the p44/p42 and p38 MAP kinases in the mitogenic response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bombesin in human pancreatic cancer cells, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1. Data indicate that EGF and bombesin stimulated growth of both cell lines. In MIA PaCa-2 cells, EGF and bombesin stimulated the in gel activation of p38 while p44/p42 kinases exhibited high basal activity and no response to stimuli. Growth and p38 activation were inhibited by genistein, wortmannin, PD98059 and SB203580, specific inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, MEK-1 and p38 kinases, respectively. In PANC-1 cells, EGF and bombesin stimulated p42 in gel activation; p44 remained highly activated and unresponsive to stimuli and p38 did not respond. Stimulated growth and p42 activation were inhibited by genistein, wortmannin and PD98059. Estimation of MAPK activities with a specific anti-active MAP kinase antibody indicated, however, that EGF increased the intensity of the bands corresponding to p42 and p44 MAP kinases in both cell lines, indicating that the mitogenic factor can regulate MAP kinase activity. Data also pointed out that ATP is sufficient to increase MAP kinase activity within the in gel assay technique and may thus explain the discrepancies existing between the in gel assay data and those obtained with the anti-active MAP kinase antibody.

Gastrointestinal hormones as potential adjuvant treatment of exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal hormones and their antagonists can alter the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo. The potential clinical benefit of this approach deserves further study.

BACKGROUND

Epithelial cell growth is normally under hormonal control. Hormones also affect the growth of many epithelial cancers, and this fact is used to modify tumor growth. Pancreatic epithelial cell growth is under the influence of gastrointestinal hormones. This article reviews experiments designed to determine the effect of gastrointestinal hormones on the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Eighty-eight articles were identified from a Medline search using the terms pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the individual names of gastrointestinal hormones. The experimental design and results of these studies are reviewed.

RESULTS

In general, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, pancreatic polypeptide, and pancreastatin inhibit pancreatic adenocarcinoma growth. Cholecystokinin, secretin, bombesin, gastrin, EGF, TGF-alpha, insulin, and IGF-1 have a growth-promoting effect.

Papillary-cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. A sex-steroid dependent tumor

CONCLUSION

The rate of growth of a papillary-cystic tumor of the pancreas seemed to be enhanced by the concurrence of pregnancy. Progesterone receptors in the tumor were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and by molecular biology methods.

BACKGROUND

Papillary cystic tumor of the pancreas is extremely rare, occurring predominantly young females. Owing to the low frequency of the tumor, there is scarce information about the conditions that promote tumor growth.

METHODS

In this report, we present the temporal association between very rapid growth of a papillary-cystic neoplasm and pregnancy. Clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biology analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A 21-yr-old woman was admitted because of recurrent epigastric abdominal pain associated with episodes of nausea and vomiting, and a history of an abdominal tumor of about 50 mm near the head of the pancreas, detected by ultrasound. On admission the patient had a flat, nontender abdomen without palpable masses. Laboratory analysis including hematologic and hepatic tests were strictly normal; only CA 19-9 (42 U/mL, normal 37 U/mL) was above normal values. One week after admission, an abdominal computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan revealed an 81.6-mm cystic mass localized in the head of the pancreas, and 1 wk later, in a laparotomy, a papillary-cystic neoplasm of 120 mm, limited to the head of the pancreas, was found. Three months later, in a routine follow-up visit, an 18-wk pregnancy was clinically diagnosed and confirmed by ultrasound exploration. The pregnancy continued without complications, and a normal male infant (3.7 kg) was born at 39 wk of gestation, by vaginal delivery. Eighteen months after tumor resection, the patient was asymptomatic and her child was in good health. We propose that progesterone affects tumor growth.

The inhibitory effect of an EGF receptor-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor on pancreatic cancer cell lines was more potent than inhibitory antibodies against the receptors for EGF and IGF I

CONCLUSION

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased the cell number of the two pancreatic cancer cell lines, MiaPaCa-2 and LN-36, in vitro. A blockade of the EGF-R tyrosine kinase with tyrphostin was more efficient in reducing the cell number than inhibiting receptor antibodies. IGF-1 increased the cell number, and blockade of the IGF-1-R initially decreased the cell number that later was followed by an increase in LN-36.

BACKGROUND/AIM

The receptors and ligands of EGF and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissue. The aim of the present experiments was to study the effects of EGF and IGF-1 on the cell number in two pancreatic cancer cell lines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MiaPaCa-2 cells were grown in 0.2% fetal calf serum (FCS) and the newly established LN-36 cells in serum-free medium (SFM). The cell number was measured with the XTT method. The effects of EGF and IGF-1 were studied in combination with inhibiting receptor antibodies and an EGF-R-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin B56.

RESULTS

MiaPaCa-2 responded with increased cell number to stimulation with EGF, and at 10(-8) M or higher concentrations a dose-response pattern was seen. Administration of B56 to MiaPaCa-2 decreased the cell number by 87%. The inhibiting EGF-R-Ab only inhibited EGF-induced increase in cell number. IGF-1 doubled the cell number of MiaPaCa-2 and increased the cell growth induced by EGF. The inhibiting IGF-1-R-Ab reduced the cell number by 10%. The LN-36 cell line responded to EGF with an increased cell number with a maximum at 5 x 10(-9) M after 96 h. B56 reduced the cell number by 90% at 10(-5) M, with less effect during stimulation with EGF. In contrast to B56, the inhibiting EGF-R-Ab in the same experiment did not reduce the cell number. LN-36 responded to IGF-1 with an increased cell number, but EGF-stimulated growth was not influenced. The inhibiting IGF-1-R-Ab reduced the cell number and suppressed the IGF-1 stimulated increase after 24 h and later it induced an increased cell number.

Review article: current treatment and optimal patient management in pancreatic cancer

This review analyses the current state of knowledge and understanding concerning the optimum treatment and therapeutic management of patients who suffer from pancreatic cancer. It outlines recent advances in scientific understanding and assesses their potential future value to clinicians in confronting this disease. Despite a significant expansion in scientific knowledge relating to factors underlying the early development of pancreatic carcinoma, the clinician continues to be restricted to a severely limited therapeutic armoury for this disease. Local therapies (surgery and radiation) are inevitably of limited value in the face of a disease that is normally encountered at a stage where metastasis is already highly developed. Despite such limitations, however, surgery performed in specialist units may be of value for 10-20% of patients, with a 5-year survival rate in such units of between 10 and 24%. This may be improved even further by appropriate use of adjuvant treatment. The advanced stage of the disease when normally encountered emphasizes the potential value of systemic treatment in this therapeutic area. Unfortunately systemic treatment (chemotherapy) has been found to be ineffective to date in significantly extending survival, with a low rate and duration of remission being identified in most trials. The challenge for both the health service and the pharmaceutical industry is to harness recent and future developments in scientific knowledge to the practical benefit of clinicians. Where cure is possible it should be vigorously pursued; where it is not, in this field above all others, clinicians have a duty of care. To achieve this it is necessary to abandon the therapeutic nihilism that has characterized the attitudes of clinicians towards this disease in the past. It is time that such nihilism was replaced by a recognition of the challenges and the opportunities available to clinicians in enhancing the quantity and quality of life available to patients. The dictum of 'curing whenever possible but caring always' should be the future therapeutic philosophy used to guide clinicians in this important and rapidly changing therapeutic area.

In vitro influences between pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and pancreatic islets

BACKGROUND

Interactions have been found between exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma and islets of Langerhans. Growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells can be regulated by islet hormones such as insulin and somatostatin. Conversely, dysfunction of endocrine pancreas frequently accompanies the exocrine malignancy. The mechanisms underlying these interactions have not been defined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells (HPAF cells) were cocultured with isolated rat pancreatic islets in two-compartment wells. HPAF cells and islets cultured in separate wells served as controls. In separate experiments, HPAF cells were incubated with two concentrations of exogenous insulin, including one reflecting the levels of insulin secretion seen in the coculture experiments.

RESULTS

Proliferation of HPAF cells was increased by about 50% following a 2- or 5-day incubation with pancreatic islets (P < 0.05). Coculture of HPAF cells and pancreatic islets was associated with a greater reduction in glucose concentrations (P < 0. 01) and an increase in lactate accumulation (P < 0.05) in the culture media. Insulin concentrations in the media were significantly decreased during the first 2-3 days of the coculture incubation (P < 0.05). In contrast, insulin secretion from control islets was not significantly decreased until the fifth day of the experiment. The growth of HPAF cells was stimulated by both concentrations of exogenous insulin (P < 0.05). The insulin-stimulated HPAF cells also showed an enhanced glucose consumption and lactate production (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic islets regulate both growth and glucose metabolism of adjacent exocrine cancer cells. beta-cell-derived insulin may be one of the factors inducing these effects. Insulin release from islet beta-cells is compromised in the presence of exocrine cancer cells.

Molecular Events as Targets of Anticancer Drug Therapy

The aim of this review is to introduce some molecular targets for cancer chemotherapy, with comments on their mode of action, preclinical and clinical results. The representatives of the following groups are covered: phosphorylation inhibitors, protein kinase modulators, receptor antagonists, immunomodulators, differentiating agents, multidrug resistance modulation, telomerase inhibitors, and bioreductive agents.

Peptidergic transmission: from morphological correlates to functional implications

Like non-peptidergic transmitters, neuropeptides and their receptors display a wide distribution in specific cell types of the nervous system. The peptides are synthesized, typically as part of a larger precursor molecule, on the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cell body. In the trans-Golgi network, they are sorted to the regulated secretory pathway, packaged into so-called large dense-core vesicles, and concentrated. Large dense-core vesicles are preferentially located at sites distant from active zones of synapses. Exocytosis may occur not only at synaptic specializations in axonal terminals but frequently also at nonsynaptic release sites throughout the neuron. Large dense-core vesicles are distinguished from small, clear synaptic vesicles, which contain "classical' transmitters, by their morphological appearance and, partially, their biochemical composition, the mode of stimulation required for release, the type of calcium channels involved in the exocytotic process, and the time course of recovery after stimulation. The frequently observed "diffuse' release of neuropeptides and their occurrence also in areas distant to release sites is paralleled by the existence of pronounced peptide-peptide receptor mismatches found at the light microscopic and ultrastructural level. Coexistence of neuropeptides with other peptidergic and non-peptidergic substances within the same neuron or even within the same vesicle has been established for numerous neuronal systems. In addition to exerting excitatory and inhibitory transmitter-like effects and modulating the release of other neuroactive substances in the nervous system, several neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of neuronal development.

Effect of gastrointestinal hormones and synthetic analogues on the growth of pancreatic cancer

The effects of hormones and synthetic analogues have been examined on the growth of 2 human pancreatic cancer cell lines, MiaPaCa2 a well-established cell line and PANI which was derived in our own laboratories from a tumour specimen. The hormones/growth factors included gastrin (G-17), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bombesin, while the synthetic analogues used were a gastrin receptor antagonist (CR 1718), a somatostatin analogue (RC-160) and a bombesin receptor antagonist (ICI 216,140). Cell proliferation was assessed by the [75Se]selenomethionine uptake method which has been shown to correlate with cell counts. The effect of each hormone or growth factor on growth was expressed as a percentage of the untreated control. There were 5 replicates in each experiment, and each one was repeated at least 3 times. In vitro growth of both cell lines was unaffected by gastrin, bombesin or the respective antagonists (CR1718 and ICI 216140). The somatostatin analogue RC-160 also had no effect on basal growth. Significant growth stimulation of both MiaPaCa2 and PANI was seen with epidermal growth factor. We tested the hypothesis that somatostatin analogues may inhibit EGF-stimulated growth on both MiaPaCa2, a somatostatin receptor positive cell line, and on PANI which is negative for somatostatin receptors. RC-160 did not inhibit EGF-stimulated growth of either MiaPaCA2 or PANI. Both cell lines were established in vivo as xenografts in nude mice. The effect of RC-160 on tumour growth was measured. RC-160 inhibited the growth of MiaPaCa2, the somatostatin receptor-positive cell line, but not of PANI.

Octreotide inhibits the growth and development of three types of experimental liver metastases

A study was performed to assess the effects of octreotide on the growth and development of liver metastases in rats. Tumour was induced by intraportal injection of three tumorigenic cell lines (the fibrosarcoma HSN and colonic adenocarcinomas K12/Tr and WB2054M) in syngeneic rats. Octreotide treatment (2 micrograms subcutaneously for 3 or 4 weeks) was started 18 h and 1 week after tumour induction; a delay in treatment of 1 week allowed micrometastases to develop. Treatment with octreotide significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the median hepatic replacement of liver by tumour compared with that of control rats given saline (controls: HSN 76.4 per cent, K12/Tr 17.5 per cent, WB2054M 43.9 per cent; octreotide treatment delayed 18 h: HSN 2.7 per cent, K12/Tr 0.6 per cent, WB2054M 1.3 per cent; octreotide treatment delayed 1 week: HSN 9.3 per cent, K12/Tr 2.5 per cent, WB2054M 2.3 per cent). These results clearly indicate that octreotide significantly inhibits the growth and development of experimental liver metastases. Further studies are required both to delineate the mechanism of action and to investigate these effects in a clinical setting.

Alterations in receptor-mediated kinases and phosphatases during carcinogenesis

Increased phosphorylation in cancers can stimulate growth and up-regulate certain receptors. To test whether the functional response of phosphatase receptors is up-regulated during carcinogenesis, we examined the effects of ligands on net phosphorylation in isolated membranes derived from hamster cheek-pouch tissues undergoing malignant transformation. The buccal mucosa of groups of Syrian golden hamsters was exposed thrice weekly to 0.5% dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in acetone for 2-12 weeks to produce premalignant and malignant tissues. Homogenates of these tissues were then incubated with [32P]ATP in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF), agonist of somatostatin analogue RC-160, luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) [D-Trp6]LH-RH, or combinations of EGF, RC-160, and [D-Trp6]LH-RH. Changes compared to controls in phosphorylation in response to ligands provided estimates of kinase or phosphatase activity. Phosphorylation increased continuously, from the first application of DMBA in a linear fashion, and independently of EGF stimulation. RC-160 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH reduced phosphorylation in vitro. This response occurred in premalignant (weeks 6-10 after DMBA application) as well as malignant tissues (week 12 after DMBA application), but was not significant in normal tissues. The results show a continuous augmentation in phosphatase activity prior to the appearance of cancers, but with a delay in expression following the primary event of increased kinase activity. Significantly less phosphorylation of substrates was induced by both RC-160 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH after in vitro activation by EGF than in the absence of EGF. This suggests that EGF activates latent systems of hormonal receptors. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that the enhancement of the hormonally stimulated phosphatase in cancers occurs secondarily to the increased kinase activity.

Somatostatin receptor-dependent growth inhibition of liver metastases by octreotide

Rats were administered the somatostatin analogue octreotide 15 micrograms intraperitoneally twice daily for 4 weeks after intraportal injection of somatostatin receptor-positive pancreatic tumour cells (CA-20948) and somatostatin receptor-negative colonic tumour cells (CC531). Octreotide significantly inhibited the growth and development of somatostatin receptor-positive tumour cells in the liver. The median number of liver tumours was 286 (range 146 to greater than 500) in the treated animals and more than 500 (range 250 to in excess of 500) in the controls (P < 0.05). This significant difference in tumour load was also represented in the mean(s.e.m.) liver weight (14.5(3.7) g in animals given octreotide versus 17.9(3.0) g in the controls). No effect of octreotide treatment was found on the growth and development of somatostatin receptor-negative tumour cells in the liver. The median (range) number of tumours was 6.5 (0-425) in the treated animals and 11.0 (0-475) in the controls. Mean(s.e.m.) liver weights were 14.0(5.7) g and 11.8(4.5) g respectively. There was no difference in serum levels of growth hormone, prolactin and insulin-like growth factor between control and octreotide-treated rats. The growth inhibition of somatostatin receptor-positive tumour cells was unlikely to be the result of suppressed secretion of one of these tumour growth factors. Octreotide may be useful for the treatment of patients with somatostatin receptor-positive hepatic metastases, which can be demonstrated by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy.

Nafamostat mesilate on the course of acute pancreatitis. Protective effect on peritoneal permeability and relation with supervening pulmonary distress

Three hundred sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into four groups, according to different content of a 24-h i.v. infusion performed 1 h after intrabiliary injection of enterokinase/sodium taurocholate to induce acute pancreatitis (AP): (1) Saline; (2) 5 micrograms/kg/h nafamostat mesilate (FUT-175); (3) 10 micrograms/kg/h FUT-175; and (4) 25 micrograms/kg/h FUT-175. Peritoneal fluid was removed and exchanged with 1 mL 3.33 M fluorescein-isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) dextrans of 4000-40,000 Dalton. Serial blood samples were withdrawn and examined for FITC-dextrans, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), blood gases, amylase, and lipase. As compared to control (55%), FUT-175 brought about a lower (5 micrograms/kg/h: 25%) or no mortality (10 and 25 micrograms/kg/h), and a milder histological and biochemical evidence of AP. Untreated animals with PLA2 values over two times the standard deviation showed a respiratory distress. Further, unlike group 1, FUT-175 doses as low as 5 micrograms/kg prevented the increase in peritoneal permeability to small-size molecules (up to 20,000 Dalton). In a second experiment under the same drug protocol, 1000 U/mL of PLA2 and 2 mL of pancreatitis ascites were instilled ip. Peritoneal permeability to FITC-dextrans up to 30,000 Dalton and to PLA2 significantly increased in the saline group and in the 5 micrograms/kg FUT-175 group. However, 10 micrograms/kg and 25 micrograms/kg FUT-175 doses prevented such phenomenon. In conclusion, FUT-175 proves to be a potent antiprotease molecule with a biochemical activity also against PLA2 in vivo and prevents significant transperitoneal-blood access of pancreatic enzymes.

Synergistic effects of bombesin and epidermal growth factor on cancers

Bombesin and gastrin-releasing peptide act as autocrine mitogens in various cancers. Bombesin antagonist RC-3095 inhibited growth in some cancers and slowed the progression of premalignant lesions, possibly by down-regulating epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. Since the EGF receptor mitogen response involves tyrosine kinase stimulation, we tested the hypotheses that bombesin stimulates, and RC-3095 inhibits, phosphorylation; EGF and bombesin promote the phosphorylation of the same substrates; and EGF and bombesin act synergistically on phosphorylation. Therefore, in vitro assays for phosphorylation were performed in the presence or absence of EGF, bombesin, RC-3095, and combinations in samples derived from tumor, tissue surrounding tumor, cell lines, and normal and transforming tissue derived from the 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene-induced squamous cell lesions of the hamster cheek pouch. Bombesin increased, and RC-3095 decreased, phosphorylation in these samples. In the human hepatoma sample and surrounding tissue, these ligands altered the phosphorylation of the same substrates affected by EGF. EGF and bombesin stimulated phosphorylation synergistically in the hamster samples and the hepatoma. Bombesin-induced phosphorylation was greater in tissue surrounding the hepatoma, whereas RC-3095 was more effective in inhibiting phosphorylation in the hepatoma itself. This cancer, therefore, could be endogenously stimulated by gastrin-releasing peptide. These observations support the hypothesis that bombesin stimulates growth of tissues and tumors by amplifying the phosphorylation response to EGF. The growth inhibitory response to RC-3095, or other bombesin analogues, of individual tumors may be prognosed by in vitro phosphorylation assays using the samples from the patient's tumor.

Signal transduction pathways: new targets in oncology

For many years the main strategies in the development of anticancer drugs were focused on killing tumour cells by means of agents which are blockers of transcription or translocation. However, it is evident that the currently available anticancer drugs, mainly antimetabolites and alkylating agents, cannot cure the most common types of cancer in adults. Therefore, totally new approaches are necessary in cancer chemotherapy research; one of these is disturbing cell signalling pathways involved in growth and malignant transformation. Several studies have concentrated on mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation, control through growth factor receptors and their ligands, oncogenes, proto-oncogenes and other membrane-associated signaling mechanisms. This paper discusses the potential targets in these signaling pathways for novel anticancer drugs.

Peptide analogues alter the progression of premalignant lesions, as measured by Photofrin fluorescence

Somatostatin analogue RC-160 and bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonist RC-3095 were infused at 2 micrograms per day via miniosmotic pumps implanted s.c. in hamsters with premalignant disease to examine the effect of these peptides on cancer promotion and progression. These analogues have been shown to inhibit growth of certain tumors, especially those that overexpress tyrosine kinase activity. Progression of premalignant lesions initiated by applying 0.5% 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) to the hamster buccal cheek pouch was measured by Photofrin-induced fluorescence 24 hr after injecting the porphyrin (1.0 mg/kg) by using in vivo fluorescence photometry. This method of monitoring progression was reaffirmed by the observations that fluorescence increased significantly as compared with controls in lesions receiving 4 additional weeks of continuous promotion by DMBA application (P < 0.01 in two independent trials) and in lesions receiving transient promotion by laser incision (P < 0.01 and < 0.05 at the same time in the two trials). Twelve weeks after treatment, fluorescence had decreased significantly among animals treated for 2 weeks with RC-3095 (control, 0.53 +/- 0.03 V vs. RC-3095, 0.28 +/- 0.03 V; P < 0.0005) or with RC-160 (control, 0.85 +/- 0.03 V vs. RC-160, 0.24 +/- 0.03 V; P < 0.0001). These data were obtained 20 weeks after DMBA initiation. Thus, treatment with RC-160 and RC-3095 decreased the progression, measured by fluorescence, compared with control animals. In addition, there was also an absolute continuous decrease in fluorescence for the 22 weeks after the cessation of RC-160 treatment. That the changes in tumor progression produced by RC-160 extended beyond the treatment period supports the hypothesis that the changes were irreversible. Histopathological analysis revealed normal tissue and/or mild-moderate dysplasia in hamster buccal mucosa treated with the RC-160 (an improvement compared to pretreatment), whereas 40% of the animals receiving no treatment after DMBA initiation developed invasive squamous cell carcinomas after 20 weeks. These results show that the antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide can delay the development of malignancies and the agonists of somatostatin can potentially reverse this development.

Treatment of liver metastases of human colon cancers in nude mice with somatostatin analogue RC-160

Hepatic metastases of colon 320 DM and WidR human colon cancers in nude mice were treated by s.c. injections of somatostatin analogue RC-160 for 4 weeks. Chronic administration of RC-160 significantly inhibited the incidence and growth of liver metastases of these 2 colon-cancer cell lines. After RC-160 treatment, the incidence of liver metastases decreased by 25% for colon 320 DM cells and by 37.5% for WidR cells. The mean number of metastatic tumors in each liver decreased by 47.9% for colon 320 DM and 42.6% for WidR. Survival times of mice with liver tumors of colon 320 DM and WidR cells were prolonged by 20 days and 7 days, respectively. The inhibitory effect of RC-160 on the growth of these 2 colon cancers implanted s.c. was also observed. After administration of RC-160 for 4 weeks, the mean tumor volume in the treated groups was only 39.8% of that of controls for the colon 320 DM line and 58% for the WidR line. Tumor-growth rate and final tumor weight were also significantly decreased, while tumor-volume doubling time and tumor-growth delay time were prolonged. The effect of RC-160 on cellular proliferation in the tumors was studied by in vivo labelling with bromodeoxyuridine and immunoperoxidase staining. The mean labelling index in the treatment group was reduced by 14.9% and 19.5%, respectively, for colon 320 DM and WidR tumors. The cytostatic effect of RC-160 was also evident from the apparent reduction in DNA and protein content in the tumor tissues of these cancer lines. Our findings suggest that somatostatin analogue RC-160 may be useful for the treatment of patients with hepatic metastases of colon cancer.

Somatostatin receptors are expressed by immature cerebellar granule cells: evidence for a direct inhibitory effect of somatostatin on neuroblast activity

Somatostatin and somatostatin receptors are transiently expressed in the immature rat cerebellar cortex but virtually undetectable in the cerebellum of adults. Although somatostatin binding sites have been visualized during the postnatal period in the external granule cell layer, the type of cell that expresses somatostatin receptors has never been identified; thus, the potential function of somatostatin in the developing cerebellum remains unknown. In the present study, we have taken advantage of the possibility of obtaining a culture preparation that is greatly enriched in immature cerebellar granule cells to investigate the presence of somatostatin receptors and the effect of somatostatin on intracellular messengers on cerebellar neuroblasts in primary culture. Autoradiographic labeling revealed the occurrence of a high density of binding sites for radioiodinated Tyr-[D-Trp8]somatostatin-(1-14) on 1-day-old cultured immature granule cells. Saturation and competition studies showed the existence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites (Kd = 0.133 +/- 0.013 nM, Bmax = 3038 +/- 217 sites per cell). Somatostatin induced a dose-dependent inhibition of forskolin-evoked cAMP formation (ED50 = 10 nM), and this effect was prevented by preincubation of cultured immature granule cells with pertussis toxin. Somatostatin also caused a marked reduction of intracellular calcium concentration. These results show the presence of functionally active somatostatin receptors on immature granule cells. Our data suggest the possible involvement of somatostatin in the regulation of proliferation and/or migration of neuroblasts during the development of the cerebellar cortex.

Human pancreatic cancer cell lines do not express receptors for somatostatin

The in vivo administration of somatostatin (SS) or its analogues is capable of suppressing the growth of pancreatic cancer in experimental animals. We examined the effects of SS-14 and its analogue RC-160 on the in vitro growth of two human pancreatic cancer cell lines MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1 stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Neither SS-14 nor RC-160 inhibited the growth of either cell line. In contrast RC-160 did inhibit the EGF-stimulated growth of a rat pancreatic cancer cell line AR42J. Binding studies with 125I-Tyr11 somatostatin revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity binding sites with a Kd of 0.20 +/- 0.05 nM and a Bmax of 2.1 +/- 0.26 pmoles mg-1 protein on AR42J but not displaceable binding was observed on MiaPaCa-2 or Panc-1. We conclude that lack of receptors accounts for the failure of SS-14 and RC-160 to influence the growth of human pancreatic cancer in vitro. These results, taken together with other findings, lead us to question the therapeutic efficacy of somatostatin and its analogues as mono-therapy in the treatment of human pancreatic cancer.

Basic fibroblast growth factor induces proliferation of a rat pancreatic cancer cell line. Inhibition by somatostatin

AR4-2J, a rat pancreatic acinar-tumor cell line, was used to investigate long-term effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and somatostatin on pancreatic cancer cells. We observed that bFGF stimulated cell proliferation when cells were cultured in serum-free medium. The effect was dose-dependent with half-maximal and maximal effects at 25 pM and I nM bFGF, respectively. The somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 (SMS) decreased the growth-promoting effect of bFGF. The maximal effect was observed at I nM SMS and the half-maximal effect at 20 pM SMS. Characterization of bFGF receptor-binding properties with [125I]bFGF revealed that AR4-2J cells exhibited 2 classes of bFGF binding site with respective KD values of 47 pM and 3 nM and binding capacities of 14 fmol and 0.9 pmol/10(6) cells. High-affinity receptors correlated with bFGF stimulation of AR4-2J cell growth, suggesting that the effects of bFGF are receptor-mediated.

Effects of sandostatin and castration on pancreatic carcinogenesis in rats and hamsters

The effects of treatment with the somatostatin analogue Sandostatin, separately and in combination with surgical castration, on the development of azaserine-induced lesions in rat pancreas and N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced lesions in hamster pancreas were investigated. The animals were divided in 4 groups and treated as follows: (a) controls, injected s.c. with saline solution (0.9% NaCl); (b) orchiectomy directly after the last treatment with carcinogen; (c) Sandostatin (SMS 201-995) subcutaneously; (d) orchiectomy followed by treatment with Sandostatin. No significant suppressive effects on plasma EGF or IGF-I concentrations were noted after Sandostatin treatment, but plasma gastrin levels decreased slightly in the rats, not in the hamsters. In rats, Sandostatin treatment enhanced rather than inhibited growth of acidophilic atypical acinar cell nodules. In hamster pancreas, by contrast, Sandostatin inhibited the development of putative pre-neoplastic ductular lesions. There was no interaction between treatment with Sandostatin and surgical castration. It was concluded that Sandostatin, when administered prophylactically, has an inhibitory effect on the growth of putative pre-neoplastic ductular, but not acinar, lesions.

The therapeutic role of octreotide in the management of surgical disorders

The long-acting somatostatin analogue, octreotide, has recently been made available for clinical use in the United States. This novel synthetic peptide possesses a broad spectrum of physiologic actions primarily involving the inhibition of a variety of gastrointestinal and endocrine functions. Such actions have been utilized in the management of a variety of surgical disorders. Current understanding of the indications and efficacy of this agent in the treatment of surgical disease is reviewed.

Cancer risk in patients with diabetes mellitus

Cancer incidence was ascertained in a population-based cohort of 51,008 patients in Uppsala, Sweden, who were given a discharge diagnosis of diabetes mellitus during 1965-83. Complete follow-up through 1984 with exclusion of the first year of observation showed that the observed number of cancers in females (1,294) was eight percent higher than expected (relative risk [RR] = 1.1, 95 percent confidence interval = 1.0-1.1), whereas in males the observed number (1,123) was close to the expected (RR = 1.0, 0.9-1.1). Significantly increased risks of pancreatic (RR = 1.4, 1.2-1.7), primary liver (RR = 1.5, 1.2-1.7), and endometrial (RR = 1.5, 1.2-1.8) cancers and a lower than expected number of prostatic cancers (RR = 0.7, 0.7-0.9) were found in this cohort of diabetic patients. The excess risk of pancreatic cancer was similar in females and males and evident both during one through four years (RR = 1.7, 1.4-2.1) and five through nine years (RR = 1.3, 0.9-1.7) of follow-up, but not thereafter. A similar pattern was found for primary liver cancer, but the RRs were generally higher in males than in females.

The interrelationship between the anti-mitotic action of the somatostatin analog octreotide and that of cytostatic drugs and suramin

In the present study we used the model of cultured somatostatin-receptor-positive prolactin (PRL)-secreting rat pituitary tumor cells to investigate the possible interrelationships between the anti-mitotic and hormone-release-inhibitory effects of the somatostatin analog octreotide (SMS 201-955) and the effects of vincristine, methotrexate, fluouracil and suramin. Dose-dependent inhibitory effects of all compounds were shown both on the DNA content and on PRL release. Octreotide and these cytostatic compounds were slightly additive in their anti-proliferative and anti-secretory effects. The somatostatin analog did not alter drug sensitivity in these tumor cells, however. The data obtained in this tumor model suggest that octreotide can be effectively administered in combination with cytostatic drugs and/or suramin.

Biology of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from malignant disease in Western society. Apart from the fortunate few patients who present with a resectable small pancreatic adenocarcinoma, conventional treatment offers no hope of cure and has little palliative value. Over the past two decades major steps have been made in our understanding of the biology of pancreatic growth and neoplasia. This review sets out to explore these advances, firstly in the regulation of normal pancreatic growth, and secondly the mechanism which may be involved in malignant change of the exocrine pancreas. From an understanding of this new biology, new treatment strategies may be possible for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Effects of epidermal growth factor and analogues of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of tyrosine residues of specific protein substrates in various tumors

Analogues of somatostatin (SS) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) activate tyrosine phosphatases in MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell line membranes and inhibit growth. We compared the substrates phosphorylated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) to those dephosphorylated by the SS analogue RC-160 (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2) and [D-Trp6]LH-RH in cancer cell lines such as MIA PaCa-2 (human pancreatic cancer), HCPC (hamster cheek pouch carcinoma), A-549 (human lung cancer), HT-29 (human colon cancer), and R3230AC (breast cancer). EGF phosphorylated proteins of 170, 65, and 60 kDa and analogues of SS and LH-RH promoted the dephosphorylation of these proteins in MIA PaCa-2 and HCPC cell lines. The EGF receptor is 170 kDa. pp60src (60 kDa) is known to be a substrate for EGF receptor. The LH-RH receptor is also 60 kDa. The effects of RC-160 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH were quantitatively different. Examinations of HT-29, A-549, and R3230AC cancer cell lines revealed no phosphorylation by EGF or dephosphorylation by RC-160 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH. In addition to the 170-, 65-, and 60-kDa proteins, 35-kDa proteins were also phosphorylated in some cancer cell lines. This work demonstrates that analogues of SS and LH-RH can reverse the effects of EGF biochemically as well as functionally.

Somatostatin and analogues in the treatment of cancer. A review

Somatostatin is a naturally occurring cyclic tetradecapeptide that inhibits release of growth hormone and all gastrointestinal hormones. The beneficial effect of somatostatin in the treatment of certain hypersecretory disorders of hormone excess in well recognized; however its clinical usefulness has been limited in the past by its extremely short plasma half-life. The development of long-acting somatostatin analogues has provided clinically useful agents for treatment of hormone-producing tumors. In addition to well-known inhibiting effects on hormone release and actions, recent studies using experimental tumor models have demonstrated an antiproliferative effect of somatostatin and its analogues on growth of a variety of neoplasms. The exact role of somatostatin analogues in cancer therapy has yet to be established; however studies suggest that these agents could provide a useful and relatively nontoxic adjuvant therapy in the treatment of certain tumors. In this review, the oncologic application of somatostatin and possible mechanism of action are examined and current clinical and experimental studies are summarized.

Growth factors and oncogenes in pancreatic cancer

There are abnormalities in the structure and/or function of several oncogenes and growth factors in human pancreatic cancer, notably the EGF receptor and its ligand TGF alpha, c-erb B-2 proto-oncogene, Ki-ras oncogene and the tumour suppressor gene p53. The temporal sequence of their activation and the nature of the aetiological agents responsible for their activation are not yet clear. In vitro pancreatic culture systems and transgenic animal experiments are needed to reconstruct and define those molecular events that are necessary and sufficient for the neoplastic phenotype.

Growth effects of regulatory peptides on human pancreatic cancer lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2

Several studies have reported effects of gastrointestinal regulatory peptides on growth of experimentally induced pancreatic neoplasms and human cancer cell lines. The growth of human pancreatic cancer lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 was characterized in vitro, and the effects of cholecystokinin, bombesin, insulin, epidermal growth factor, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and somatostatin were determined. Fetal bovine serum was required for initiation of growth in both cell lines. Growth effects of peptides were determined by incubating cells with peptides in serum-free medium after a 72-h preincubation in 10% serum-supplemented medium alone. Epidermal growth factor (3.4 x 10(-9) M) and insulin (10(-6) M) significantly (p less than 0.001) increased growth of both cell lines as determined by increases in deoxyribonucleic acid and protein. Bombesin, secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and somatostatin (all 10(-8) M) did not affect growth of either cell line. Neither cholecystokinin-8 nor [Thr4, Nle7] cholecystokinin-9 altered growth in concentrations from 10(-12)-10(-6) M. Anchorage-dependent clonogenic growth of both cell lines was also not altered by cholecystokinin-8. Cholecystokinin added to cultures was degraded by separate effects of serum and cells. Addition of cholecystokinin-8 to cultures every 8 h maintained cholecystokinin levels but did not alter cell growth. These data support roles for epidermal growth factor and insulin as growth factors for human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

The clinical use of somatostatin analogues in the treatment of cancer

Somatostatin is a regulatory hormone or tissue factor which plays an inhibitory role in the normal regulation of several organ systems, including the central nervous system, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the gastrointestinal tract and the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Sandostatin is an analogue of somatostatin which has characteristics which makes it a better compound for clinical use than native somatostatin: it inhibits GH preferentially over insulin. It has a long half-life in the circulation, causing a prolonged inhibitory effect in somatostatin-responsive target organs. It is active after subcutaneous administration and rebound hypersecretion does not occur. Sandostatin is very well tolerated by most patients. Somatostatin receptors remain present on a variety of tumours which arise in tissues that contain these receptors normally. High numbers of somatostatin receptors have been found on GH-secreting pituitary tumours and on most metastatic endocrine pancreatic tumours and carcinoids. Sandostatin treatment ameliorates clinical symptoms in most acromegalic patients while GH hypersecretion and elevated concentrations of circulating IGF-I are well controlled. In most patients hormonal hypersecretion from endocrine pancreatic tumours and carcinoids is also suppressed during Sandostatin therapy. This results in an instant improvement in the quality of life. There is preliminary evidence of control of tumour growth. The presence of high numbers of somatostatin receptors on tumours enables in vivo receptor-imaging, with 123iodine coupled to a somatostatin analogue. This newly developed technique provides for the first time the possibility of localization of the primary tumours and their metastases and a prediction of which patients may respond to treatment with Sandostatin. Theoretically this somatostatin-receptor imaging technique represents a new approach which may be extended to other receptor-containing tumours. Therefore it may provide a new, powerful alternative to tumour localization performed with monoclonal antibody technology. Another potential development is the use of beta-emitting isotopes coupled to somatostatin analogues for therapeutic irradiation. Somatostatin analogues exert potent inhibitory effects on the growth of a variety of experimental tumour models in animals. Several mechanisms of action have been proposed including the direct antiproliferative effects of somatostatin and its analogues in a variety of tumour cell cultures. Most well-differentiated human brain tumours like meningiomas and low-grade astrocytomas contain somatostatin receptors, while undifferentiated brain tumours mainly contain EGF receptors. Fifteen percent of human breast carcinomas contain somatostatin receptors; those which do have a better prognosis. It can be concluded that somatostatin is an endogenous, naturally occurring inhibitory growth factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Presence of membrane binding sites for [D-TRP6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in experimental pancreatic cancer

Characteristics of binding sites (dissociation constant: Kd and maximal binding capacity: Bmax) for [D-Trp6]-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [( D-Trp6]-LH-RH]), somatostatin (SS-14) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were evaluated in membrane fractions of N-Nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine (BOP)-induced pancreatic adenocarcinoma of hamsters. Intact, normal hamster pancreata did not show any binding sites for [D-Trp6]-LH-RH, but specific [D-Trp6]-LH-RH binding sites with low affinity and high capacity were found after pancreatic cancer was induced with BOP. Membrane binding sites for SS-14 and EGF, with high affinity and low capacity were present, both in normal and cancerous pancreata. Normal hamster pancreatic tissue had significantly higher levels of SS-14 binding sites and lower concentration of EGF binding sites as compared to pancreatic carcinoma. In vivo treatment of hamsters bearing pancreatic cancers with microcapsules of agonist [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and the somatostatin analog RC-160 alone, or in combination, caused histopathological regression of tumors and concomitantly decreased the Kd and Bmax of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH, and increased the Bmax of the SS-14 binding sites. These findings represent the first demonstration of binding sites for [D-Trp6]-LH-RH in pancreatic cancers. Our results also suggest that tumor inhibitory effects of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and RC-160 in pancreatic cancer could be mediated not only indirectly through suppression of sex-steroids, gastrointestinal hormones and growth factors, but also directly by an action on specific binding sites located on the tumor membranes.

Somatostatin analogues inhibit growth of pancreatic cancer by stimulating tyrosine phosphatase

Several analogues of somatostatin were examined in the Mia PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell line for their ability to promote tyrosine phosphatase activity affecting the receptors for the epidermal growth factor. The inhibition of growth of the Mia PaCa-2 cells in culture was also evaluated to determine the mechanism of action of somatostatin analogues and their relative effectiveness in inhibiting cancer growth. Of the analogues tested D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160) caused the greatest stimulation of tyrosine phosphatase activity. Analogue D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Thr-NH2 (RC-121) had less effect but was more potent than somatostatin-14. Analogue D-Phe-Cys-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys-Thr(ol) (SMS 201-995) produced no significant dephosphorylation. The analogues displayed the same order of activity in assays on growth inhibition of Mia PaCa-2 cells in cultures. Analogue (SMS-201-995) caused virtually no tyrosine phosphatase stimulation or growth inhibition in this cancer cell line, although it possesses a much higher antisecretory activity than somatostatin-14 in normal tissues. These observations indicate that somatostatin and some of its analogues can act as growth inhibitors in cancer cells through the activation of tyrosine phosphatase. These data reinforce the view that somatostatin analogue RC-160 and related compounds could be used for treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Responsiveness of the hamster pancreatic cancer to treatment with microcapsules of D-Trp-6-LH-RH and somatostatin analog RC-160. Histological evidence of improvement

The effect of treatment with D-Trp-6-LH-RH, an agonist of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), and somatostatin analog RC-160 was studied in male Syrian hamsters with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced pancreatic carcinoma. The peptides were administered periodically in long-acting microcapsule formulations designed to release controlled doses and maintain continuous blood levels of these analogs. The treatment lasted 60 d. Eighteen wk after administration of BOP, 80% of the animals developed ductal pancreatic adenocarcinomas, typically in multinodular form. Treatment with D-Trp-6-LH-RH resulted in a significant decrease in the tumorous pancreatic weight, and, in 35% of the specimens, changes indicative of histological regression were seen. Similarly, regressive alterations in the tumorous epithelium could be observed in 28% of the tumors in the RC-160 treated group. This regression was not accompanied by accumulation of lymphoid cells and only the epithelial components of the tumors were involved. These data indicate that the analogs D-Trp-6-LH-RH and RC-160 exert antitumoral effects on the experimentally-induced pancreatic cancer. It is unlikely that immunological mechanisms are involved in this response. These inhibitory effects on tumor growth could be mediated by creating a state of sex hormone deprivation of D-Trp-6-LH-RH and by inhibition of the release and/or action of gastrointestinal hormones and growth factors by the somatostatin analog RC-160.

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) in pancreatic cancers of hamsters after treatment with analogs of both luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin

Female Syrian golden hamsters with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced ductal pancreatic cancers were treated with long-acting microcapsular preparations of the 6-D-tryptophan analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [( D-Trp6]LH-RH), releasing 25 micrograms/day; the somatostatin analog D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160), liberating 15 micrograms/day; and the combination of these two peptides. Therapy with analogs was initiated 24 weeks after initial administration of BOP. These treatments resulted in significantly better survival of all animals as compared to BOP controls; body weights of surviving peptide-treated animals were significantly higher than those of the BOP controls. All 15 BOP-control animals had pancreatic cancers. In the group treated with RC-160 four hamsters were free of tumors, whereas therapy with [D-Trp6]LH-RH resulted in seven tumor-free animals, and combination of RC-160 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH resulted in eight tumor-free animals from groups of 15. Only preblastomatous lesions were found in these animals. Average tumor weight of animals in all peptide-treated groups, sacrificed 60 days after beginning the peptide treatment, was significantly lower than that of BOP controls. No significant differences were seen between the various peptide-treated groups. Histologically, analog-treated tumors of hamsters showed striking regressive changes characteristic of programmed cell death (apoptosis). This apoptosis presumably resulted from hormonal effects on tumor cells from prolonged treatment with these analogs of hypothalamic hormones. Our present data confirm the beneficial effect of long-acting microcapsules of [D-Trp6]LH-RH and RC-160 on pancreatic carcinoma and suggest a mode of action for these peptides. The feasibility of applying this treatment with analogs of hypothalamic hormones to human pancreatic carcinoma can be envisioned from these studies.

Molecular characterization of the solubilized receptor of somatostatin from rat pancreatic acinar membranes

The somatostatin receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes were demonstrated by use of a radioiodinated (125I-) analogue of somatostatin (SMS 204-090 or [Tyr3]SMS). The tracer was found to bind to the receptor with a Kd of 58 pM. The number of sites detected by this tracer (4.7 pmol/mg of protein) was 5-10 times higher than the number of sites previously found with other tracers. Since the level of non-specific binding was also very low as compared with findings with other tracers, 125I-204-090 might be of interest in future attempts to characterize the somatostatin receptors in the pancreas. The prelabelled membranes were solubilized with 1% CHAPS, and the solubilized complexes were found to adsorb to wheat-germ-agglutinin-coupled agarose, from which they could be eluted with 4 mM-triacetylchitotriose. The complexes within this eluate were shown by gel filtration on Trisacryl GF-2000 to have an Mr of about 400,000. The dissociation of the complexes was augmented both within the membranes as well as in the solubilized state by incubation with the GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, indicating that the complexes are probably functionally linked to a guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein. After SDS/slab-gel electrophoresis and autoradiography of cross-linked complexes after treatment with the heterobifunctional reagent N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide, a broad band occurred at approximately Mr 90,000 both in the membranes and in the eluates of complexes after lectin-adsorption chromatography. We conclude that the augmentation of the number of detectable sites for binding of somatostatin, as well as the very low level of non-specific binding obtained by the use of 125I-[Tyr3]SMS as tracer, has made it possible for us to demonstrate the solubilization of the somatostatin receptor in conjunction with its ligand and a GTP-binding regulatory protein, and we have succeeded in cross-linking 125I-[Tyr3]SMS to a binding subunit of Mr 90,000 in the membranes and in demonstrating the presence of the same labelled binding subunit within complexes solubilized and chromatographed on a lectin column before cross-linking.

Pharmacological studies of somatostatin and somatostatin-analogues: therapeutic advances and perspectives

This article is aimed at reviewing and analyzing studies that are related to the possible therapeutic use of a potent and ubiquitously-distributed hormone--somato-statin (SS-14), and its analogues. Administration of these substances has provided beneficial effects in treating acromegaly, gastro-intestinal hemorrhagic and hypersecretory disorders, acute pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer. Further studies with SS-14-analogues might provide new therapies for treating certain life-threatening disorders of man.