Long-term results of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome receiving octreotide LAR.
BACKGROUND
Octreotide LAR is an established treatment for malignant carcinoid syndrome. However, studies with large number of patients and long follow-up are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To present long-terms results with octreotide LAR, assessing duration of clinical and objective response and treatment tolerance, in a large, homogeneous cohort of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.


METHODS
A total of 108 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumours were included in this 8-year study. Clinical evaluation was based on a symptom score. Radiological assessment was based on RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours) criteria.


RESULTS
Of the 108 patients, 24% had a sustained symptomatic response. In the remaining patients, loss of symptomatic response with the initial dose was noted within 3-60 months. In 17% of them, symptoms were controlled by just an increase of octreotide LAR dose, whilst the other patients required additional treatment. Overall, in 45.3% of patients, symptoms were well controlled during the study period with only octreotide LAR, and no additional treatment was required. No significant adverse effects were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Octreotide LAR treatment provides a sustained symptomatic response in about half of the patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome and contributes to disease stabilization for a longer period than previously described.
Toumpanakis
C
C
Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Garland
J
J
Marelli
L
L
Srirajaskanthan
R
R
Soh
J
J
Davies
P
P
Buscombe
J
J
Caplin
M E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015282:Octreotide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide