Impact of long‐acting octreotide in patients with early‐stage MEN 1‐related duodeno‐pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) Vol. 80; no. 6; pp. 850 - 855
• Main Authors: Ramundo, V., Del Prete, M., Marotta, V., Marciello, F., Camera, L., Napolitano, V., De Luca, L., Circelli, L., Colantuoni, V., Di Sarno, A., Carratù, A. C., de Luca di Roseto, C., Colao, A., Faggiano, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2014
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/cen.12411

Summary Background Somatostatin analogues ( SSA ) represent one of the main therapeutic option in patients affected with functioning well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours ( NET s). There are no studies specifically focusing on NET s associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 ( MEN 1). Aim To evaluate the efficacy of the long‐acting SSA octreotide in MEN 1 patients with early‐stage duodeno‐pancreatic NET s. Patients and Methods Forty patients with MEN 1 were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty patients with evidence of one or more MEN 1‐related duodeno‐pancreatic NET s < 20 mm in size (age range 26–61 years) were treated with octreotide long‐acting octreotide ( LAR ) as first‐line therapy. Treatment duration ranged 12–75 months. At the baseline radiological evaluation, multiple duodeno‐pancreatic NET s (range 1–8, size 3–18 mm) were detected. Results An objective tumour response was observed in 10%, stable disease in 80% and progression of disease in 10% of cases. In six patients with abnormally increased CgA, gastrin and/or insulin serum concentrations, a significant clinical and hormonal response occurred in 100% of cases and was stable along the time. Conclusions Therapy with SSA is highly safe and effective in patients with early‐stage MEN 1 duodeno‐pancreatic NET s, resulting in long‐time suppression of tumour and hormonal activity and 10% objective response. This suggests to early start therapy with SSA in patients with MEN 1‐related NET s.