The novel somatostatin analog SOM230 is a potent inhibitor of hormone release by growth hormone- and prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas in vitro

To determine the inhibitory profile of the novel somatostatin (SRIF) analog SOM230 with broad SRIF receptor binding, we compared the in vitro effects of SOM230, octreotide (OCT), and SRIF-14 on hormone release by cultures of different types of secreting pituitary adenomas. OCT (10 nM) significantly inhibited GH release in seven of nine GH-secreting pituitary adenoma cultures (range, -26 to -73%), SOM230 (10 nM) in eight of nine cultures (range, -22 to -68%), and SRIF-14 (10 nM) in six of six cultures (range, -30 to -75%). The sst analysis showed predominant but variable levels of somatostatin receptor (sst)(2) and sst(5) mRNA expression. In one culture completely resistant to OCT, SOM230 and SRIF-14 significantly inhibited GH release in a dose-dependent manner with an IC(50) value in the low nanomolar range. In the other cultures, SOM230 showed a lower potency of GH release inhibition (IC(50), 0.5 nM), compared with OCT (IC(50), 0.02 nM) and SRIF-14 (IC(50), 0.02 nM). A positive correlation was found between sst(2) but not sst(5) mRNA levels in the adenoma cells and the inhibitory potency of OCT on G