Long term results of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome receiving octreotide LAR. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics [Aliment Pharmacol Ther] Journal article

Aim: 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: 108 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumours were included. Clinical evaluation was based on a symptom score. Radiological assessment was based on RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours) criteria. Adverse effects were reported.
Results: 26/108 (24%) patients had a sustained symptomatic response (with no evidence of radiological progression) to octreotide LAR (median follow-up :19 months). In the remaining patients, loss of symptomatic response with the initial dose was noted within 3-60 months (median time:12 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% (49/108) of patients (median follow-up: 25 months, range: 3-72 months), symptoms were well controlled during the study period only with octreotide LAR, and no additional treatment was required. No significant adverse effects were noted.
Conclusions: Octreotide LAR treatment provides a sustained symptomatic response in half of the patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome and contributes to disease stabilization for a longer period than previously described.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics [Aliment Pharmacol Ther]