Immunohistochemical Expression And Subcellular Distribution Of SSTR2 In Human Exocrine Pancreatic Cancers

Purpose Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) were frequently expressed in human tumors and have been identified its distribution of SSTR2 mRNA in human various tumors by in situ hybridization(ISH). Since the cellular localization of SSTR2 in human exocrine pancreatic cancers has been seldom reported, this study was designed to observe immunohistochemical expression and subcellular distribution of SSTR2 in human exocrine pancreatic cancers.Methods A total of 38 pancreatic cancer tissues, 16 pericancerous normal pancreatic tissues, 25 normal pancreatic tissues were collected. The SSTR2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemical staining with a specific polyclonal antibody rabbit anti-SSTR2.Results (l)The positive rate of SSTR2 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues, pericancerous normal pancreatic tissues and normal pancreatic tissues was 26.3%(10/38), 87.5%(14/16), 96.0%(24/25), respectively(P<0.01). They all have a predominant plasma membrane staining. (2)In 38 cases of pancreatic cancer tissues, the significant correlation was observed between high SSTR2 expression and pathological grade, TNM stage, the scale of CA19-9 and the method of operation (P< 0.05) and no significant difference could be found between SSTR2 expression and sex, age, site and size of tumor(P>0.05). (3)The one-years survival rate of patients with positive SSTR2 expression was significantly lower than that of patients with negative expression(P<0.05).Conclusion SSTR2 can be expressed in human exocrine pancreatic cancers, in pericancerous normal pancreatic tissues and in normal pancreatic tissues. Detection of SSTR2 will help and guide the use of SS and its analogs in treating human exocrine pancreatic cancers.