Does Sandostatin® affect tumour growth and size?
Clinical experience shown that a reduction in tumour size occurs in up to 50% of patients treated with Sandostatin® and Sandostatin® LAR®.32,50,51 The effect is usually evident after 1-2 months’ therapy.52-54 Patients typically experience a moderate (less than 50%) reduction in tumour volume with dramatic shrinkage occurring in only sporadic cases. During a recent study in 27 treatment-nave patients, tumour shrinkage was observed in all patients after 24 weeks’ treatment with subcutaneous Sandostatin®.51 GH levels (2 g/L (5 mU/L) and normalized IGF-1 levels were achieved in 41% of patients. Reduction in tumour volume was similar for microadenomas and macroadenomas. Interestingly, much of the volume reduction occurred within 12 weeks of commencing therapy. Similar effects on tumour shrinkage were seen in 14 of these patients who were subsequently switched to treatment with Sandostatin® LAR® for a further 24 weeks. GH levels (2 g/L (5 mU/L) were achieved in 71% of patients and IGF-1 leve
