Preclinical studies on the anticancer activity of the somatostatin analog octreotide (SMS 201-995)

The antiproliferative effect of somatostatin-14 and its analog octreotide on in vitro pancreatic and breast tumor cells has led to the suggestion that octreotide may have further oncological indications in addition to gastroenteropancreatic tumors. To extend these in vitro observations, we evaluated the effect of octreotide in rodent models of pancreatic and breast tumors. Octreotide of 5 or 50 micrograms b.i.d. in nude mice bearing solid MiaPaCa pancreatic tumors (subline 21) or ZR-75-1 breast tumors induced significant inhibition of tumor growth from week 2 until the end of treatment at week 5. After 5 weeks the mean volume of ZR-75-1 tumors in animals treated with the 50-micrograms regimen was 48% that of control. Autoradiographic studies showed a high percentage (71%) of ZR-75-1 tumors to be somatostatin receptor-positive. In addition, the growth of ZR-75-1 cells in vitro was significantly inhibited by octreotide. The drug was also tested in a second breast cancer model, DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats, and continuous administration of 10 micrograms/kg/h over 6 weeks led to an approximately 50% reduction in the number of tumors arising in the rat mammary gland. These data suggest that pancreatic and breast cancer may be among the malignant diseases clinically susceptible to octreotide.

Antiproliferative effects of the somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201-995) on ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro

The somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201-995) inhibits secretion and growth of certain tumor cells, and current efforts are directed toward the elucidation of its mode of antiproliferative action. In this study, the effect of octreotide on the growth of ZR-75-1 human breast cancer cells has been characterized in immunodeficient nude mice and in cell culture. These results have been related to the expression of somatostatin receptors in vivo and in vitro. Continuous infusion of 10 micrograms/kg/h of octreotide yielded plasma levels of 5.7 ng/ml and elicited highly significant growth inhibitory effects on solid ZR-75-1 breast tumors in nude mice. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, tumor volumes in the octreotide group were 39.1 and 36.7% of those of control animals treated with vehicle, respectively. Autoradiographic studies demonstrated that 8 of 12 ZR-75-1 tumors studied were somatostatin receptor positive. When ZR-75-1 tumor cells were exposed in vitro to nanomolar concentrations of octreotide, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth was observed in the presence of 5% fetal calf serum or under serum-free conditions using epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor type I, or insulin as growth stimulus. In parallel receptor-binding experiments, ZR-75-1 cells were shown to express specific high-affinity somatostatin receptors (Kd value = 0.9 nM, Bmax = 6000 sites/cell). From these experiments, we conclude that octreotide is a powerful inhibitor of ZR-75-1 tumor cell growth in nude mice and in culture. This inhibitory action of octreotide and the presence of somatostatin receptors on ZR-75-1 tumor cells in vitro and in vivo suggest a direct, somatostatin receptor-mediated effect of octreotide.

Preclinical studies on the anticancer activity of the somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201-995)

The antiproliferative effect of somatostatin-14 and its analogue, octreotide, on in vitro pancreatic and breast tumor cells has led to the suggestion that octreotide may have further oncological indications in addition to its use in the treatment of gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) tumors. To extend these in vitro observations, we evaluated the effect of octreotide in rodent models of pancreatic and breast tumors. Octreotide at a dose of 5 micrograms or 50 micrograms twice a day in nude mice bearing solid MiaPaCa pancreatic tumors (subline 21) or ZR-75-1 breast tumors induced a significant inhibition of tumor growth from week 2 until the end of treatment at week 5. After 5 weeks, the mean volume of ZR-75-1 tumors in animals treated with the 50-micrograms regimen was 48% of that in controls. Autoradiographic studies showed that a high percentage (71%) of ZR-75-1 tumors were somatostatin receptor-positive. In addition, the growth of ZR-75-1 cells in vitro was significantly inhibited by octreotide. The drug was also tested in a second breast cancer model, 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors in rats, and continuous administration of 10 micrograms/kg/h over 6 weeks led to an approximate 50% reduction in the number of tumors arising in the rat mammary gland. These data suggest that pancreatic and breast cancer may be among the malignant diseases clinically susceptible to octreotide.

N-terminal truncation of salmon calcitonin leads to calcitonin antagonists. Structure activity relationship of N-terminally truncated salmon calcitonin fragments in vitro and in vivo

Structural requirements for binding to the bone calcitonin (CT) receptor and for CT bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo were assessed for a series of N-terminally truncated, N alpha-acetylated, fragments of salmon calcitonin (sCT). Sequential deletion of amino acid residues from the amino-terminus of [Ala7]sCT-(2-32) peptide amide first led to partial agonists and, upon deletion of residues 1 to 7, to a high affinity antagonist, N alpha-acetyl-sCT-(8-32)-NH2. The presence of two separate domains within the sCT sequence is proposed: (I) a binding domain comprising residues 9-32 and (II) an activation domain requiring residues 3 to 6. N alpha-acetyl-sCT-(8-32)-NH2, in several bioassays including plasminogen activator release from LLC-PK1 cells (pA2 = 7.31), cAMP production in UMR-106-06 cells (pA2 = 7.81) and in the fetal rat long bone resorption assay showed potent antagonistic properties.

Expression cloning of a rat brain somatostatin receptor cDNA

We have used an expression-cloning strategy to isolate a cDNA encoding a somatostatin (somatotropin release-inhibiting factor, SRIF) receptor from rat cortex and hippocampus. A positive clone was identified by autoradiography after binding of radiolabeled SRIF to COS-1 cells previously transfected with pools of cDNA clones. The deduced amino acid sequence of the receptor displays sequence and structural homology to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors. The affinity of various SRIF analogs to the expressed receptor resembles their effects on growth hormone release from pituitary cells. In addition, the distribution of the mRNA in various tissues corresponds to that described for native SRIF receptors. Therefore, we conclude that we have isolated a rat brain SRIF receptor cDNA.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide in man: metabolism, dosimetry and comparison with iodine-123-Tyr-3-octreotide

Scintigraphy with 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide has several major drawbacks as regards its metabolic behavior, its cumbersome preparation and the short physical half-life of the radionuclide. The use of another radiolabeled analog of somatostatin, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide, has consequently been proposed. DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide can be radiolabeled with 111In in an easy single-step procedure. DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide is cleared predominantly via the kidneys. Fecal excretion of radioactivity amounts to only a few percent of the administered radioactivity. For the radiation dose to normal tissues, the most important organs are the kidneys, the spleen, the urinary bladder, the liver and the remainder of the body. The calculated effective dose equivalent is 0.08 mSv/MBq. Optimal 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide scintigraphic imaging of various somatostatin receptor-positive tumors was obtained 24 hr after injection. In the six patients studied, tumor localization with 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide and with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide were found to be similar. However, the normal pituitary is more frequently visualized with the latter radiopharmaceutical. In conclusion, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide appears to be a sensitive somatostatin receptor-positive tissue-seeking radiopharmaceutical with some remarkable advantages: easy preparation, general availability, appropriate half-life and absence of major interference in the upper abdominal region, because of its renal clearance. Therefore, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide may be suitable for use in SPECT of the abdomen, which is important in the localization of small endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors.

Inhibition of the growth of transplanted rat pancreatic acinar carcinoma with octreotide

The effects of octreotide on transplanted azaserine-induced pancreatic acinar tumours were investigated in the rat. When tumours became palpable, rats were treated either with octreotide (40 micrograms/kg per day, by infusion) or NaCl 0.9% (controls) for 14 days. Tumours were then analysed for their size, composition and somatostatin receptors. Octreotide induced a 80% reduction in tumour growth rate during the first 2 days of treatment. This rate was less marked from day 4 to day 15. The tumour weight, protein, DNA, RNA and enzyme content were reduced in parallel by 50 to 60%. A homogeneous distribution density and a high affinity of somatostatin receptors were found by receptor autoradiography and in vitro binding assays in tumours of both groups. These findings indicate that octreotide reduces the growth rate of the transplanted pancreatic acinar tumour and may exert its inhibitory effect directly via specific somatostatin receptors on tumour cells.

Intestinal absorption of the octapeptide SMS 201-995 visualized by fluorescence derivatization

The absorption of an intact oligopeptide was investigated in rat and dog small intestine using the metabolically stable somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995. The synthetic octapeptide was coupled to 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol to have a fluorescent label for the direct visualization. The 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-labeled peptide was active in displacing the corresponding hormone 125I-Tyr3-SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin; Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) from its high-affinity binding site in rat cortex membranes with an IC50 = 4.6 x 10(-10) mol/L. The release of growth hormone from cultured anterior pituitary cells was inhibited by the fluorescent somatostatin analogue with the same potency as by somatostatin 14 (IC50 = 6 x 10(-10) mol/L). Incubation with mucosal scrapings followed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis showed that the peptide was stable against proteolysis. 4-Nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol SMS 201-995 was well absorbed from enterocytes of rat small intestine. The absorption was highest into jejunal cells and it could be inhibited by an excess of unlabeled peptide. A significantly lower absorption was detected in crypts compared with villus tips. No fluorescence could be seen in intestinal mucin and goblet cells. After oral administration, the 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-labeled peptide rapidly appeared in the blood of rats and dogs, reaching a bioavailability of 4.3% and maintaining pharmacological activity. This suggests that enterocytes are able to absorb intact oligopeptides being stabilized against proteolytic degradation through a transcellular mechanism.

[111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide, a potential radiopharmaceutical for imaging of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors: synthesis, radiolabeling and in vitro validation

Somatostatin receptor-positive human tumors can be detected using radioiodinated analogues of somatostatin, both in vitro and in vivo. [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide has been successfully used in the visualization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors by gamma camera scintigraphy, but this radiopharmaceutical has some major drawbacks, which can be overcome with other radionuclides such as 111In. As starting material for a potentially convenient radiopharmaceutical, a diethylenetriaminopentaacetic acid (DTPA) conjugated derivative of octreotide (SMS 201-995) was prepared. This peptide, [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide (SDZ 215-811) binds more than 95% of added 111In in an easy, single-step labeling procedure without necessity of further purification. The specific somatostatin-like biologic effect of these analogues was proven by the inhibition of growth hormone secretion by cultured rat pituitary cells in a dose-dependent fashion by octreotide, [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide and non-radioactive [115In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide. The binding of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide to rat brain cortex membranes proved to be displaced similarly by natural somatostatin as well as by octreotide, suggesting specific binding of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide to somatostatin receptors. The binding of the indium-labeled compound showed a somewhat lower affinity when compared with the iodinated [Tyr3]-octreotide, but indium-labeled [DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide still binds with nanomolar affinity. In conjunction with in vivo studies, these results suggest that [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide is a promising radiopharmaceutical for scintigraphic imaging of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors.

In vivo application of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide for detection of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in rats

Radioiodinated somatostatin analogues are useful ligands for the in vitro and in vivo detection of somatostatin receptors. [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide, a somatostatin analogue labeled with a different radionuclide, also binds specifically to somatostatin receptors in vitro. In this study we investigated its in vivo application in the visualization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in rats. The distribution of the radiopharmaceutical was investigated after intravenous injection in normal rats and in rats bearing the somatostatin receptor-positive rat pancreatic carcinoma CA 20948. After injection the radiopharmaceutical was rapidly cleared (50% decrease in maximal blood radioactivity in 4 min), predominantly by the kidneys. Excreted radioactivity was mainly in the form of the intact radiopharmaceutical. Ex vivo autoradiographic studies showed that specific accumulation of radioactivity occurred in somatostatin receptor-containing tissue (anterior pituitary gland). However, in contrast to the adrenals and pituitary, the tracer accumulation in the kidneys was not mediated by somatostatin receptors. Increasing radioactivity over the somatostatin receptor-positive tumors was measured rapidly after injection and the tumors were clearly visualized by gamma camera scintigraphy. In rats pretreated with 1 mg octreotide accumulation of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide in the tumors was prevented. Because of its relatively long effective half-life, [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide is a radionuclide-coupled somatostatin analogue which can be used to visualize somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors efficiently after 24 hr, when interfering background radioactivity is minimized by renal clearance. This is an advantage over the previously used [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide which has a shorter effective half-life and shows high abdominal interference due to its hepato-biliary clearance. Therefore, [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide seems a better alternative for scintigraphic imaging of somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors.

Somatostatin receptors are restricted to a subpopulation of osteoblast-like cells during endochondral bone formation

Specific binding sites for the peptide hormone somatostatin have previously been demonstrated in long bones from neonatal rats. In the present study, the distribution of somatostatin receptors during embryonic bone formation has been investigated using the stable radioiodinated somatostatin analogue, SDZ 204-090. Somatostatin receptors in rat long bones were first detectable at the time of invasion of the cartilage model by osteogenic cells. Initially, receptors were detectable throughout the region occupied by osteogenic cells. As bone growth proceeded, however, receptors were restricted to the region of most recent invasion of the hypertrophic cartilage, where osteoid had not yet been deposited. In vivo labelling studies in neonatal rats were carried out to identify the cells bearing somatostatin receptors. Receptors were present in a restricted region of the metaphysis, immediately adjacent to the hypertrophic cartilage. Chondrocytes, osteoclasts, and mature osteoblasts were not labelled by the radioligand. The labelled cells were often apposed to remnants of cartilage matrix and stained positively for the osteoblast marker, alkaline phosphatase. Thus the cells with specific somatostatin-binding sites were probably osteoblast precursor cells. Specific binding was detectable in all endochondral bones examined, including those of the skull, but no specific binding was found in the membrane bones of the skull. These data suggest that somatostatin is involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation during endochondral bone formation.

Identification and characterization of somatostatin receptors in neonatal rat long bones

Somatostatin (somatotropin release inhibiting factor; SRIF) has widespread functions as a modulator of neural activity as well as of endocrine and exocrine secretion. In the present paper, the binding characteristics of somatostatin receptors have been investigated in rat long bones using the stable analogue, 125I-SDZ 204-090, as a ligand. Binding studies revealed the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites for 125I-SDZ 204-090 on cells prepared from neonatal rat long bones with an equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of 70.1 +/- 8.2 pM (n = 3). An excellent correlation was found between the ability of various somatostatin analogues to inhibit growth hormone in pituitary cells and to displace the binding of 125I-SDZ 204-090 to the bone cell preparation, indicating that the receptors are very similar, if not identical. The localization of the somatostatin-binding sites was examined by autoradiography after labelling in vitro and in vivo. The binding sites were shown by both procedures to be selectively localized to the metaphysis of rat long bones. The labelling experiments in vivo indicate that these receptors can be reached in the living animal by circulating somatostatin analogues. In addition, the analogue SMS 201-995 inhibited the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in bone cell suspensions. These results suggest that somatostatin could be an important regulatory factor in bone metabolism.

Dissimilar associations of two secretory peptides with a neurosecretory granule-enriched fraction from the bag cells

The bag cell neurons of Aplysia californica synthesize and secrete several neuropeptides. To gain more detailed information about their posttranslational routing and transport, we have undertaken isolation of the neurosecretory granules (NSG). Extracts of radiolabeled cells were subjected to discontinuous, isosmotic density-gradient centrifugation. Radiolabeled peptides likely to be contained in NSG were found to relocate from the starting zone and to be associated with particulate structures. Assay of enzyme markers for lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum disclosed gradient distributions that differed from that shown by the peptides. Hence, it is probable that the position of peak concentrations of particulate peptides represents the location of NSG. Of particular interest is the further observation that the known secretory peptides ELH and AP do not evidence strict covariance across the gradient. This deviation from covariance is consistent with hypotheses that the peptides are in different associations with the NSG cores or that more than one type of neurosecretory granule is produced in the bag cells.

Synthetic diacylglycerols induce a rise of quin2-detectable free intracellular calcium in human platelets

The two activators of protein kinase C, oleoylacetylglycerol (OAG) and dioctanoylglycerol (DOG), are able to induce a concentration-dependent rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in gel-filtered human platelets, detected as an increase in quin2 fluorescence. The phorbol ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) has no effect. The OAG-induced increase of intracellular Ca2+ is not influenced by forskolin, in contrast to the effect of the diterpene on the thrombin-stimulated increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+. It is concluded that the increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration induced by synthetic diacylglycerols and their activation of protein kinase C are two different and independent processes.

Pertussis toxin inhibits the angiotensin II and serotonin-induced rise of free cytoplasmic calcium in cultured smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

Angiotensin II, serotonin and K+-depolarization cause an increase in free cytoplasmic Ca2+ in cultured smooth muscle cells. The involvement of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein has been investigated by using pertussis toxin. When smooth muscle cells were pretreated with pertussis toxin angiotensin II and serotonin-induced rise of cytosolic Ca2+ was found to be significantly reduced whereas the Ca2+ influx mediated by K+-depolarization remained unchanged. These results suggest the participation of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in the receptor-mediated rise of intracellular Ca2+.

[Hepatitis A outbreak in a shelter for the homeless in Vienna]

An outbreak of hepatitis A was observed in a shelter for the homeless in Vienna with about 200 inhabitants. Twenty-two cases occurred within a period of 6 months. The outbreak could not be brought under control by measures of general hygiene. However, after the administration of hepatitis A immunoglobulin (120 IU/ml), at a dosage of 0.05 ml/kg body weight, to 102 of the 105 seronegative inhabitants and members of staff, no further clinical cases of hepatitis A were reported from this group. Nevertheless, 8 of these 102 "protected" persons showed signs of subclinical infection at subsequent follow up. Apart from these, 2 further cases of hepatitis A occurred among the non-immunised children at risk, whose parents had refused permission for serological investigation or immunoglobulin administration.

Stereospecific inhibition of 5-HT-induced increase of intracellular free calcium by (+)- and (-)-desmethoxyverapamil in human platelets

The concentration of intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i in human platelets was measured by the quin-2 method. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) at 10(-5) M induced a rapid transient increase of [Ca2+]i which was antagonized by 10(-7) M ketanserin or cyproheptadine. The verapamil derivative, desmethoxyverapamil (D888), showed stereospecific inhibition of the 5-HT-induced [Ca2+]i increase. The IC50 for (-)-D888 was approx. 2 X 10(-8) M; (+)-D888 was almost 50 times less potent.

Stressful life events and drug use among adolescents

The authors investigated the hypothesis that increased amounts of stress during and/or prior to adolescence would be associated with elevated use or abuse of drug substances by adolescents. Through the study the authors also provided further information regarding the usefulness of various techniques of life event surveying in the measurement of presumptive stress among adolescents. Using a multivariate analysis of the data, a number of conclusions were drawn with the overall conclusion that increased life stress levels are significantly associated with elevated drug use.