Expression of somatostatin receptors in pituitary adenomas and implications for drug research

Abstract

Pituitary adenoma is a group of diseases with typical clinical manifestations.Each type of pituitary adenomas differs in the expression of subtypes of somatostatin receptors.The goal of treatment is to control the hormone level and tumor mass.The therapy methods currently are surgery,medication,radiation therapy and their combinations.The main medications for pituitary adenomas are the somatostatin analogues.New somatostatin receptors with stronger affinity and more universal receptor-binding ability may be used in patients. Key words: Somatostatin receptor; Pituitary adenoma; Somatostatin analogues