Future clinical prospects in somatostatin/cortistatin/somatostatin receptor field

Somatostatin receptors (sst), somatostatin (SS) and cortistatin (CST) are widely expressed in the various systems in the human and rodent organisms and are responsible for maintaining homeostasis, which is essential for survival. Because of their broad expression pattern sst, SS and CST interactions may play regulatory roles in both physiology and pathophysiology in mammalian organisms. SS analogue treatment strategies as well as the use of SS analogues for diagnostic purposes have been established in diseases of different origins. This review focuses on the currently determined role for SS analogues in today's clinical practice and the potential clinical prospects for SS, CST and sst interactions in the future, with a focus on neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumours and immune-mediated diseases. Moreover, the role of new SS analogues and new insights in sst physiology will be discussed. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.