A single-center open-label study to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated subcutaneous injections of lanreotide Autogel in patients with acromegaly previously treated with octreotide.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of lanreotide Autogel, a depot preparation of a long-acting somatostatin analogue, in patients with acromegaly who were previously treated with octreotide.


METHODS
In a prospective single-center, open-label, comparative study, 13 patients were switched from octreotide treatment (baseline) to lanreotide Autogel therapy at a fixed dosage of 90 mg/4 wk. After 6 injections, the dosage was titrated to 60, 90, or 120 mg/4 wk, on the basis of growth hormone (GH) levels, for a further 6 injections. Mean GH and insulinlike growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels were determined at baseline, during treatment (to 48 weeks), and up to 8 weeks after the last injection.


RESULTS
There was no significant change in the proportion of patients with GH and IGF-I control from baseline to week 48 (GH, 85% to 89%; IGF-I, 46% to 62%). Mean GH levels changed little from baseline, but mean IGF-I levels were significantly lower after 32 weeks (P<.05) and 48 weeks (P<.02). Data collected at 6 and 8 weeks after the last injection suggested that the efficacy of lanreotide Autogel can persist for longer than 4 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
This small study suggests that lanreotide Autogel is at least as effective as octreotide in the control of acromegaly and may last for longer than the recommended 4 weeks. It appears to be a useful alternative to long-acting octreotide in the treatment of acromegaly.
Kelly
Phillip
P
Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom.
Maher
Kathy T
KT
Chew
Shern L
SL
Monson
John P
JP
Grossman
Ashley B
AB
Jenkins
Paul J
PJ
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C060347:lanreotide; D013004:Somatostatin; D015282:Octreotide