The present invention relates to novel structures,
synthesis methods, and applications of human
somatostatin analogs comprising either a cyclic or non-cyclic hexapeptide unit, wherein the
amino acid residues at positions 2 to 5 are represented by -X1-(D / L)-Trp-X2-X3-, or a cyclic or non-cyclic octapeptide unit, wherein the
amino acid residues at positions 2 to 7 are represented by -Cys-X1-(D / L)-Trp-X2-X3-Cys-. In these sequences, X1 is an α-
amino acid residue containing an aromatic group on the Cα
side chain, X2 is a Lys derivative, and X3 is an α-
amino acid residue. The Lys derivative has the following structure: wherein n is 0 or 1; A1, A2, and A3 are independently selected from C(R)2, O, S, NR, C=O, C=S, C=NR, and C=C(R)2. The present invention challenges the conventional understanding that modification of the Lys9 residue in
somatostatin significantly reduces
biological activity. By altering the Lys9 residue in
somatostatin analogs, the present invention provides analogs with enhanced or comparable binding affinity to SSTR2, thereby improving their therapeutic
efficacy.