Dramatic response of a metastatic carcinoid tumour to a combination of interferon and octreotide.
The combination of alpha-interferon and octreotide has rarely been tested in the treatment of carcinoid syndrome. We describe a patient who was moribund when treated with interferon alone, but enjoyed a dramatic response leading to disappearance of all symptoms, normalization of dU-5-HIAA, and restoration of his normal life-style when octreotide was initiated. Neither interferon nor octreotide could be withdrawn without reappearance of the symptoms, suggesting that the combination of alpha-interferon and octreotide may have synergistic effects in carcinoid syndrome.
Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
H
H
Joensuu
K
K
Kätkä
H
H
Kujari
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D015282:Octreotide