Differential somatostatin, CXCR4 chemokine and endothelin A receptor expression in WHO grade I-IV astrocytic brain tumors.

Though having some prognostic value, SST, CXCR4 or ETA expression on astrocytic tumor cells is clearly of no therapeutic relevance. Indirect targeting of these highly vascularized tumors via SST3, SST5, CXCR4 or ETA on the microvessels, in contrast, may represent a promising additional therapeutic strategy.