Endocrine Abstracts

Somatuline Autogel^® 120 mg (SATG, Ipsen, Sweeden) is a high dose sustained release aqueous gel formulation, supplied in a prefiled syringe and given by deep subcutaneous injection. The aim of this cross-sectional hospital based study, approved by the local ethical committee, was to investigate efficacy and tolerability of SATG given every 4 weeks in patients with active acromegaly.

Twenty patients (9f, 11m) aged 42.9±17.8 (range 17–68 years) with active acromegaly were treated with lanreotide in our center for median of 15 months (average 13.3±9.2 months; range 3–30 months). Eighteen patients were operated, one was irradiated after the operation and two patients were primarily treated with lanreotide. Eight out of twenty patients (40%) were replaced for hypopituitarism. Four patients with mixed somatotrophe-lactotrophe adenomas and hyperprolactinemia were additionally treated with dopamine agonists.

In 75% of patients (15/20) IGF-1 levels (x±S.D.) decreased significantly during treatment with lanreotide from 591.6±294.4 to 346.7±160.8 ng/ml, P=0.0002. In 35% (7/20) of patients normalization of IGF-1 levels was achieved and in another 30% (6/20) regression of the pituitary tumor rest was evident on the control MRI scans. Four patients (20%) achieved both normalization of IGF-1 levels and regression of the tumor rest. One patient achieved shrinkage of the tumor rest with no decrease in IGF-1 level. Four patients (20%) did not respond to treatment with lanreotide.

As for tolerability, one patient discontinued treatment with lanreotide after first injection due to chest discomfort and hypotensive reaction and was excluded from the study. Others tolerated lanreotide well.

In conclusion Somatuline Autogel 120 mg is an effective and well tolerated therapy for acromegaly.