Octreotide LAR for the treatment of acromegaly.
BACKGROUND
Somatostatin analogs previously considered as adjuvant therapy in acromegaly are increasingly used as a first-line therapy in selected cases.


OBJECTIVE
To review the octreotide LAR pharmacological and clinical data, and discuss the impact of this agent on current treatment regimens.


METHODS
We reviewed PubMed publications since the first use of octreotide LAR in acromegaly, and historical articles related to the discovery and development of this molecule. We chose, for efficacy and safety data, reviews, clinical and randomized controlled trials that included >or=10 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Octreotide LAR controls acromegaly in approximately 50-60% of patients by inhibiting GH and IGF-I secretion, and by reducing tumor size. This drug is well tolerated in most patients.
Vallette
Sophie
S
Notre-Dame Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, CHUM Research Center, 1560 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, Quebec H2L 4M1, Canada.
Serri
Omar
O
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D049912:Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015282:Octreotide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D015282:Octreotide