Method of modulating the proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of decreasing the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells which comprises contacting medullary thyroid carcinoma cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist. A preferred selective somatostatin receptor type-2 (SSTR-2) agonist cyclo[Tic-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Abu-Phe] is also disclosed.

1 . A method of modulating the rate of proliferation of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells (MTC) which comprises contacting MTC cells with one or more SSTR2 agonist and one or more somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SSTR5) agonist, wherein said somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) agonist reduces the rate of proliferation of the MTC cells and said SSTR5 agonist attenuates the SSTR-2 agonist-induced reduction in cellular proliferation rate. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said SSTR-5 agonist is D-Phe-Phe-Trp-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-NH 2  (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A compound of the formula cyclo[Tic-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Abu-Phe] (SEQ ID NO: 3). 
     
     
         4 . A selective somatostatin receptor type-2 (SSTR-2) agonist comprising the formula cyclo[Tic-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Abu-Phe] (SEQ ID NO: 3) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.