In vitro testing of new somatostatin analogs on pituitary tumor cells.

Somatostatin has been discovered as a somatotroph release inhibitory factor (SRIF), and, indeed, it has been demonstrated that SRIF and its analogs can inhibit pituitary tumor hormone secretion and control neoplastic bulk. Several in vitro studies have contributed to the current knowledge of the mechanisms by which SRIF and its analogs may influence pituitary adenomas, opening the way to new possible therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on the results obtained by testing several SRIF analogs in vitro on pituitary adenomas, concerning both secretory activity and cell viability. These studies provide the basis for further investigations, both at basic and clinical level, of the application of SRIF analogs in the pituitary field.