Clinical results of long-term slow-release lanreotide treatment of acromegaly

Medical therapy is frequently needed to normalize growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I secretion in acromegaly. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of the slow-release (SR) somatostatin analogue lanreotide in 57 acromegalic patients. SR lanreotide (30mg) was given every 14 days for 12 months. In 33% of patients, the drug dosage was raised to 60 mg and/or the time interval was shortened to 10 days. Two months of clinical evaluation followed drug discontinuation in 47 out of 48 (84%) patients who completed the 12-month period. A drug-related decrease in GH/ IGF-I levels was observed. Basal GH/IGF-I levels were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced at 12 months. IGF-I was normalized in 35% of patients and GH levels were <5 mu gL(-1) in 54%. There was a clinical improvement in patients complaining of joint pain, rachialgias, headache, digital paraesthesias and hyperhidrosis. Soft-tissue changes were documented by significant (P < 0.001) decreases in finger size. In 52 (91%) patients without overt diabetes, a slight but significant increase in integrated glycaemia (P < 0.001) was noted, while integrated insulin levels were reduced (P< 0.001). Of 33 (58%) patients with normal basal ultrasound examination of the gall bladder, three (9%) had developed asymptomatic gall stones or biliary sludge after 12 months. Adverse events were generally mild. They frequently (52%) occurred after the first SR lanreotide administration; only 28% were recurrent and 20% appeared for the first time during therapy. SR lanreotide is an effective treatment in most unselected acromegalic patients. Tolerance towards the drug is high. Subjective benefits seem to override the simple biochemical control of the disease. Glucose homeostasis more than the incidence of gall stones seems to require monitoring on therapy. SR lanreotide is clearly advantageous in improving patient compliance with medical treatment for acromegaly.