Effect of a somatostatin analog (octreotide acetate) on the growth of retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture

PURPOSE: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is a serious complication of retinal detachment surgery in which retinal pigment epithelial cells abnormally proliferate within the vitreous cavity and under the retinal surface. Octreotide acetate, a somatostatin analog, has been shown to inhibit the cellular proliferation of a variety of cell types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of octreotide acetate on the growth of rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture. METHODS: Retinal pigment epithelial cells were isolated from rabbits and maintained in culture. Cells were exposed to standard media or media supplemented with octreotide acetate 10(-4) M to 10(-12) M for five days. Each concentration of octreotide acetate was tested in quadruplicate. RESULTS: Exposure of rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells to octreotide acetate significantly inhibited proliferation with a peak effect at 10(-8) M. The effect of octreotide is biphasic with higher and lower concentrations having less effect than 10(-8) M. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that octreotide acetate may be useful in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy; however, the optimum therapeutic dose range for this drug may be narrow.