Immunoreactivity score using an anti-sst2A receptor monoclonal antibody strongly predicts the biochemical response to adjuvant treatment with somatostatin analogs in acromegaly

Federico Gatto, Richard A. Feelders, Rob Van Der Pas, Johan M. Kros, Marlijn Waaijers, Diana Sprij-Mooij, Sebastian J.C.M.M. Neggers, Aart Jan Van Der Lelij, Francesco Minuto, Steven W.J. Lamberts, Wouter W. De Herder, Diego Ferone, Leo J. Hofland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Context: Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2A) protein expression has been demonstrated to positively correlate with somatostatin analog treatment outcome in GH-secreting adenomas. Recently, a new rabbit monoclonal anti-sst2A antibody (clone UMB-1) has been validated as a reliable method to selectively detect sst2A protein levels in formalin-fixed tissues. Objective: The aim of the study was to establish whether the evaluation of sst2A protein levels, assessed with a routine reproducible immunohistochemistry protocol using UMB-1 antibody, may predict the successful adjuvant therapy with somatostatin analogs in acromegalic patients. Design, Setting, and Patients: Thirty-six acromegalic patients from our referral hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Sst2A expression analysis was performed by immunohistochemistry in 25 patients and by quantitative RT-PCR in 26 patients. Sst2A immunoreactivity was evaluated using an immunoreactivity score (IRS), which takes into account both the percentage of positive cells and staining intensity. Interventions: Patients with persistent disease after surgery (n = 26) were treated with somatostatin analogs for a median duration of 6 months. Main Outcome Measure: GH and IGF-I levels were measured before and after postoperative treatment. Results: Sst2A IRS showed a significant positive correlation with both GH (P = 0.039) and IGF-I (P = 0.001) suppression by octreotide. Sst2A IRS was negatively associated with IGF-I levels reached after treatment (P = 0.001), and patients that achieved IGF-I normalization showed significantly higher sst2A IRS compared to the group that was not normalized (P = 0.002). A sst2A IRS of at least 5 showed a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 91% in predicting IGF-I normalization during adjuvant octreotide treatment. Conclusion: Sst2A IRS with the anti-sst2A antibody UMB-1 represents a valid tool in the clinical practice to identify acromegalic patients likely to be responders to adjuvant therapy with the currently available somatostatin analogs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)E66-E71
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume98
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013
Externally publishedYes

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