Somatostatin receptor SPECT

Abstract

Somatostatin is a peptide with a broad distribution in the nervous system and acts as a neurotransmitter in several organs, having a wide range of mainly inhibiting effects, such as the suppression of growth hormone release, as well as the inhibition of pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormone release. Five somatostatin receptor subtypes have been cloned and demonstrated to have an emphasized expression in all human tumours. In particular, type 2 receptors were identified as the most frequently represented on the surface of neuroendocrine tumour cells, providing the molecular basis for many clinical applications of somatostatin analogues. Towards the end of the 1980s, the in vivo demonstration of somatostatin receptors on the surface of some tumours raised interest in receptor imaging, and indeed the peptide receptor overexpression on tumour cells, as compared to normal tissues, constitutes the basis for molecular imaging of these tumours. This review intends to illustrate the development of single photon emission radiopharmaceuticals for the study of somatostatin receptors and their application in diagnostic imaging.

Reply to comment on Pepe et al.: Somatostatin receptor SPECT

“…Dear Sir, We appreciate the interest of Dr. Hubalewska-Dydejczyk and colleagues [1] in our article "Somatostatin receptor SPECT" [2]. We regret the disappointment resulting from a misunderstanding about our statement regarding the registration status of 99m Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC.…”

NEN — the role of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in clinical setting

“…According to literature, the pancreatic NENs such as gastrinomas express SSTR2 in about 100%, SSTR5 in 35%, SSTR3 in 20% and SSTR1 in 10%, insulinomas express SSTR2 in 70%, SSTR1 in 60%, SSTR3 in 35% and SSTR4 in 3% and jejunoileal express SSTR2 in about 95%, SSTR1 in 50%, SSTR5 in 48% and SSTR3 in 15%, SSTR 4 in 3% [4]. Other currently clinically useful receptors in imaging of NEN are glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIPR) [3].…”

Review: Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Gastric Carcinoid

“…Similar to SRS, SPECT also employs the use of radiolabelled octreotide to detect neuroendocrine tumors; however, SPECT provides a 3D image, increasing sensitivity to about 90% for detection of carcinoid NETs [23,27,28]. Enhanced spatial resolution also enables identification of surrounding anatomical structures, better enabling localization of the tumors [28].…”