Long-term results of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome receiving octreotide LAR.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Octreotide LAR is an established treatment for malignant carcinoid syndrome. However, studies with large number of patients and long follow-up are lacking.

AIM:

To present long-terms results with octreotide LAR, assessing duration of clinical and objective response and treatment tolerance, in a large, homogeneous cohort of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.

METHODS:

A total of 108 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumours were included in this 8-year study. Clinical evaluation was based on a symptom score. Radiological assessment was based on RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours) criteria.

RESULTS:

Of the 108 patients, 24% had a sustained symptomatic response. In the remaining patients, loss of symptomatic response with the initial dose was noted within 3-60 months. In 17% of them, symptoms were controlled by just an increase of octreotide LAR dose, whilst the other patients required additional treatment. Overall, in 45.3% of patients, symptoms were well controlled during the study period with only octreotide LAR, and no additional treatment was required. No significant adverse effects were noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Octreotide LAR treatment provides a sustained symptomatic response in about half of the patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome and contributes to disease stabilization for a longer period than previously described.

• Authors: C Toumpanakis, J Garland, L Marelli, R Srirajaskanthan, J Soh, P Davies, J Buscombe, M E Caplin
• Journal: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (Aliment Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 30 Issue 7 Pg. 733-40 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1365-2036 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19573169 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Octreotide

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Epidemiologic Methods
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome (drug therapy, mortality, radiotherapy)
• Middle Aged
• Neuroendocrine Tumors (drug therapy, mortality, radiotherapy)
• Octreotide (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult