Potent bombesin receptor agonist (IC50 values are 0.26, 1.55 and 2.52 nM for BB1, BB2 and BB3 respectively). Enhances glucose transport in obese and diabetic primary myocytes. Also stimulates NCI-H1299 lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro.
ICI 216140 is a GRP/bombesin receptor 2 antagonist (IC50: 2 nM in vitro). At 2 mg/kg, it can decrease bombesin-stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in rats. At 1 mM, it has been proved to attenuate bombesin-stimulated increases in blood pressure in rat