Somatostatin has been extensively studied in relation to the endocrine and nervous systems. Many reports on the role of somatostatin receptor imaging and somatostatin treatment of neuroendocrine tumours have been published. The relation between somatostatin and other neuropeptides and the immune system is less explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic applications of somatostatin and substance P analogues in autoimmune and haematological diseases. Both in vivo and in vitro studies were performed, using peptide receptor scintigraphy in patients and rats, peptide receptor autoradiography on tissue biopsies, ligand binding assays on cell homogenates, and polymerase chain reactions on lymphoid cell lines. Moreover, based on the results of these studies, speculations were made about the therapeutical applications of somatostatin and substance P analogues in autoimmune and haematological diseases.

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Mallinckrodt Medical BV, Sandozn BV, Astra Pharmaceutica BV, GlaxoWelicome BV, Novo Nordisk Farma BV, Parke-Davis BV, Pfizer BV, and Searle Nederland BV
E.P. Krenning (Eric) , S.W.J. Lamberts (Steven)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/22125
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

van Hagen, M. (1995, December 13). Somatostatin and substance P analogues: applications in autoimmune and haematological diseases. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/22125