OCTREOTIDE - A LONG-ACTING SOMATOSTATIN ANALOG

One of the exciting recent developments in endocrinology research has been the introduction of the somatostatin analog, octreotide into clinical practice. Octreotide provides a new therapeutic tool for diseases in which somatostatin or somatostatin-like products are secreted abnormally. Unfortunately, early experience was obtained largely with uncontrolled, compassionate drug use. When clinical information regarding octreotide is critically reviewed, evaluation is hampered by the lack of long-term studies with adequate numbers of patients and controls. Nevertheless, the information available does indicate that octreotide is promising in the acute treatment of some of the manifestations of the carcinoid syndrome, including carcinoid crisis. Similarly, octreotide ameliorates symptoms of other gut neuroendocrine tumors, particularly vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-secreting tumors. Octreotide also has potential in the management of growth-hormone-secreting tumors. Long-term treatment with octreotide for these diseases requires more information regarding alterations in disease progression and development of adverse effects including variable effects on blood sugar regulation and steatorrhoea. Octreotide also has been used in nonmalignant gstrointestinal disorders, but larger studies are necessary before recommendations regarding these applications can be made. The cost of octreotide, as may be expected, is high but is justified for patients with the specific indications outlined in this review. These indications may change as understanding of the drug increases. Octreotide offers promise, particularly as acute treatment for the troublesome symptoms of several neuroendocrine disorders. However, octreotide lacks specificity and monitoring for its variable effects on glucose metabolism is necessry. At the present time, recomendations for long-term use are limited by the lack of adequate long-term trials.