Somatostatin analog octreotide LAR^® in gastro–entero–pancreatic tumors

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are considered to be rare but, during the last two decades, their incidence and prevalence has considerably increased in gastro–entero–pancreatic (GEP) NETs. Most GEP-NETs express somatostatin receptors, which could be targets for treatment. The development of somatostatin analogs for treatment of functioning NETs was a revolution in the treatment of these patients and is still a cornerstone for managing hormone-related clinical symptoms. Furthermore, somatostatin analogs have also demonstrated an anti-tumor effect, with stabilization of tumor growth over long periods of time. The development of a long-acting formulation of octreotide long-acting release (LAR^®) significantly improved the quality of life for patients with functioning NETs in terms of necessitating only monthly injections. The side effects are few and easily manageable. In the future, somatostatin analogs will continue to be a major treatment option for functioning NETs, but will be combined with other biologicals, such as a-interferons, mTOR inhibitors and VEGF inhibitors. A new multireceptor somatostatin analog, SOM230 (pasireotide), as well as chimeric molecules, such as dopastatin (a combination of a somatostatin analogue plus a dopamine agonist), will come into the clinical management of GEP-NETs.

Keywords::

• GEP-NET
• ocreotide LAR^®
• somatostatin
• somatostatin analog
• somatostatin receptor

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

Reproduced with permission from [54].