THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGS

The neuropeptide somatostatin is widely expressed both in the peripher y and in the central nervous system (CNS) and has multiple functions: it regulates endocrine and exocrine secretion, it possesses antiprolif erative properties and it acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator. T hese diverse physiological effects are mediated by a family of G-prote in-coupled cell surface receptors, the somatostatin receptors, named s st(1) through sst(5). Short synthetic somatostatin analogues (octreoti de, lanreotide) that are in clinical use (e.g., for cancer therapy, ga strointestinal disorders) primarily interact with sst(2). Somatostatin analogues with selective receptor binding can be useful in the treatm ent of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immunological or C NS diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. This paper revie ws selected somatostatin related publications and patents issued betwe en 1995 and 1998 for new drug candidates and their possible therapeuti c applications.