Cancer
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Clinical efficacy of octreotide in the treatment of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. A study by the Italian Trials in Medical Oncology Group.
The unsatisfactory control of neuroendocrine tumor growth with chemotherapy and/or interferon (IFN-2a) stimulated us to investigate the role of the somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201.995), which is reported to be highly effective in controlling carcinoid syndrome symptoms. Octreotide has been used in a wide range of doses, and it was postulated that higher doses might lead to an objective response. ⋯ In terms of tumor regression, octreotide is disappointing (partial response: 3%); symptomatic response and biochemical control are satisfactory. These data confirm that somatostatin analogues are comparable to interferons in the treatment of carcinoid syndrome, although other efforts are necessary to control tumor regression.