title: [Treatment of acromegaly with octreotide LAR].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of acromegaly with somastostatin analogues, albeit highly effective, is not curative and its elevated cost represents a major disadvantage. Hereby we describe our Center's experience using a fixed, 20 mg q.4 weeks- dose of octreotide LAR.
  
  
  METHODS
  97 patients, 69 females, 71 with macroadenomas, treated with 20-mg im injections of octreotide LAR every 4 weeks, in 23 as primary therapy. No dose escalation was allowed. Patients were evaluated with GH and IGF-1 levels at 4 weeks after the third injection; thereafter, assessments occurred at 3 to 6 months intervals. In 27 unselected patients, evaluations were also performed 6 weeks after the SA injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A GH concentration < 2.5 ng/mL was reached by 71%, 75% and 83% of patients at the 3rd , 6th and 12th months of follow up respectively, whereas over 30% achieved an IGF-1 index < or = 1.0 at each of these time points, and both biochemical goals were achieved by 30%, 33% and 32% of patients at the same time points. Biochemical success was the same for those patients treated primarily and those treated secondarily and prior radiation made no difference. A baseline GH level > 10 ng/mL was associated with a poor response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A biochemical control rate comparable with other published series it is feasible to reach with the treatment with a fixed dose of 20 mg.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Endocrinología, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Endocrinología Experimental, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Ana Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Espinosa-de-los-Monteros
authors.forename: Baldomero
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mier
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mercado
mesh_terms: D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015282:Octreotide