title: Long-term efficacy of octreotide in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
abstract: Nine patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome were treated with octreotide acetate (100 micrograms delivered subcutaneously three times daily) and followed up for 1 to 48 months. Serum gastrin levels were obtained at predetermined intervals. All patients had elevated baseline fasting gastrin levels (greater than 150 ng/L [greater than 150 pg/mL]). One month after administration of octreotide, gastrin levels were in the reference range for five (62%) of eight patients, and a mean gastrin suppression rate of 76% was achieved (ie, values were a mean of 76% less than baseline values). One year after administration of octreotide, five (71%) of seven evaluable patients had gastrin levels of less than 200 ng/L (200 pg/mL), and the mean gastrin suppression rate was more than 80% for these seven patients. During the second year, control at these levels was maintained in four patients; one patient continued to have controlled levels for 42 months. Complete symptomatic response occurred in seven patients (78%), and partial response in two patients (22%). All six patients with diarrhea before treatment were cured of it. Octreotide acetate provides efficacious long-term suppression of elevated gastrin levels and excellent symptomatic relief in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mozell
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: O'Dorisio
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Woltering
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015408:Gastrinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D005755:Gastrins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015043:Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D005755:Gastrins; D015282:Octreotide