Regression of liver metastases of occult carcinoid tumor with slow release lanreotide therapy

World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr 7;11(13):2041-4. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i13.2041.

Abstract

Few clinical studies have demonstrated an anti-proliferative activity of somatostatin (SST) analogs in carcinoids. We report the case of a woman with liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumor and no evidence of the primary tumor. The liver metastases were characterized by high proliferation index, immunoreactiviy for somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-1, 2, 3 and 5 and positive octreoscan. Urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, serum serotonin and chromogranin A were elevated. Slow release lanreotide (SR-LAN) therapy for 3 mo controlled clinical and biochemical signs of carcinoid tumor and caused a clear-cut reduction in the diameter of two liver metastases and disappearance of another lesion, with further reduction after 6 and 18 mo. We demonstrated a clear-cut long-lasting anti-proliferative effect of SR-LAN on liver metastases of occult carcinoid with high proliferation index and immunoreactivity for SSTR-1, 2, 3, and 5. Immuno-histochemistry for SSTRs could be a suitable method for the selection of patients with metastatic carcinoid that may benefit from SST analog therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / secondary*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / administration & dosage*
  • Somatostatin / administration & dosage*
  • Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • lanreotide
  • Somatostatin