Metabolic remission with octreotide in patients with insulinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of octreotide was studied in a group of patients with biochemical evidence of insulinoma.


METHODS
A phase-II study.


METHODS
A university department of internal medicine.


METHODS
Seven patients with biochemical evidence of insulinoma and without metastatic lesions.


METHODS
Daily treatment with octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, mainly within the dosage of 100-300 micrograms day-1. The treatment was continued in patients with biochemical evidence of response or until surgery was undertaken.


RESULTS
Five patients avoided hypoglycaemic symptoms and had normalization of blood glucose values for a median of 15+ months (range 0.2-54 months). Two did not improve metabolically. The treatment was well tolerated and had no deleterious effects on blood glucose regulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Octreotide seems to be a promising treatment for many of the patients with insulinoma who are not suitable for surgery.
von Eyben
F E
FE
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Grodum
E
E
Gjessing
H J
HJ
Hagen
C
C
Nielsen
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015282:Octreotide