Investigation of somatostatin receptor profile of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the breast

Abstract

Carcinomas of the breast with neuroendocrine features are rare primary neoplasms positive for neuroendocrine markers. According to the WHO classification of tumours of the breast they are divided into three morphologically distinct categories. They comprise neuroendocrine tumour (NET), neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (NED).

The purpose of this study was to investigate for the first time the full spectrum of sstr expression status in breast carcinomas with neuroendocrine features.

Fifteen primary breast carcinomas with histological and immunohistochemical neuroendocrine features were studied. Four of them were classified as NETs and two as NECs, and the remaining 9 as carcinomas with NED. All six types of somatostatin receptor (sstr) types (sstr1, sstr 2A, sstr2B, sstr3, sstr4 and sstr5) were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

To assess the distribution and intensity of membranous receptor immunoreactivity, a four-scale scoring system was used. Overall predominant receptors were sstr2A, sstr2B, sstr3 and sstr5 showing the highest membranous staining scores 3+ and 2 + . The sstr1 was not detected. Given that carcinomas with neuroendocrine features represent distinct entities, patients with such tumours may benefit from sstr targeting therapies.

Immunohistochemistry for sstrs can predict the effectiveness of administration of SST analogues to those patients, thus contributing to achieve the maximum therapeutic outcome, particularly in NETs and NECs with scores 2+ and 3 +.

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See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Somatostatin, Octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, analogues and/or derivatives);

- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2018 Sep: The over-expression of GH/GHR in tumour tissues with respect to healthy ones confirms its oncogenic role and the consequent oncosuppressor role of its physiological inhibitor, somatostatin: a review of the literature (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);

- The Synergism of Somatostatin, Melatonin, Vitamins Prolactin and Estrogen Inhibitors Increased Survival, Objective Response and Performance Status In 297 Cases of Breast Cancer;

- Complete objective response, stable for 5 years, with the Di Bella Method, of multiple-metastatic carcinoma of the breast;

- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonin, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 122 cases of breast cancer;

- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma;

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide;

- The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck;

- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients with low performance status;

- Somatostatin, retinoids, melatonin, vitamin D, bromocriptine, and cyclophosphamide in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and low performance status;

- Observations on the Report of a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lymph node, hepatic and osseus metastasis;

- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;

- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;

- Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: clinical records on 17 patients treated with Di Bella's Method;

- The Di Bella Method Increases by the 30% the survival rate for Pancreas tumors and for this reason should be proposed as first line therapy for this type of cancer.