Abstract: | Objective:This sudy was designed to observe somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) Mrna expression, and investigate the correlations between SSTR2 Mrna expression and steroid receptors in benign and malignant lesions of the breast. Methods: A total of 23 breast carcinomas,16 mammary hyperplasia and 9 mammary adenofibroma samples were analysed. The SSTR2 Mrna expression was examined by in situ hybridization using multiphase oligoprobes.The ER and PR were detected by immunohistochemical staining. A computerized image analysis system was utilized to estimate the relative contents of SSTR2 Mrna. Results: The positive rates of expression (87.0%) and relative contents (0.47) of SSTR2 Mrna in breast cancer were higher than those in benign breast lesions(64%,0.26) respectively( P<0.05). SSTR2 Mrna expression was closely correlated with ER and PR in breast cancer( P<0. 05), A positive correlation between SSTR2 Mrna expression and ER was also found in benign breast lesions. Conclusions: SSTR2 Mrna expressed both in benign and in malignant breast lesions, but higher in malignant than in benign ones. There was a significant positive correlation of SSTR2 Mrna expression with ER or PR. The results suggest that conbined treatment with an antiestrogen and a somatostatin analogue for ER-positive breast cancer is feasible. |