Detection of somatostatin receptors in human osteosarcoma
2008

Detection of Somatostatin Receptors in Osteosarcoma

Sample size: 29 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ioannou Markos, Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J, Papanastassiou Ioannis, Iakovidou Ioanna, Kottakis Stamatios, Demertzis Nikolaos

Primary Institution: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Pireus, Greece

Hypothesis

This study aims to detect somatostatin receptors in human osteosarcomas and correlate this finding with the clinical outcome of the tumour.

Conclusion

The study shows that somatostatin receptors exist in human osteosarcoma, and their presence is associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor survival rates.

Supporting Evidence

  • Four osteosarcomas with aggressive behavior expressed somatostatin receptors.
  • Patients with positive somatostatin receptor status had a 0% event-free rate and a 50% overall survival rate at 4.3 years.
  • Patients with negative somatostatin receptor status had a 72% event-free survival rate and a 76% overall survival rate at 4.3 years.

Takeaway

The study found that some osteosarcoma tumors have special receptors that can make them grow more aggressively, which means patients with these tumors might not do as well.

Methodology

Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect somatostatin receptors, and survival rates were retrospectively studied in 29 osteosarcoma patients.

Limitations

The small number of specimens analyzed makes statistical analysis unfeasible.

Participant Demographics

14 females and 15 males, average age 27.03 years (range 16–49 years).

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7819-6-99

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