Poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres have been used as an injectable depot for prolonged release of octreotide (Sandostatin LAR®), a peptide drug for the treatment of acromegaly and gastrointestinal tumors.
To establish the remission rates (normal IGF-1 for age/sex: IGF-1 ≤ 1.00 xULN) after withdrawal of combined treatment with octreotide LAR and cabergoline and of cabergoline alone, we prospectively studied 16 patients with acromegaly controlled by those treatments in the preceding 2 years as part of a larger study on remission of acromegaly after withdrawal of different medical treatments.
SSTR2 and 5 expression was tested by IHC (n=37), RT/PCR (n=36) or both (n=13) in GH-secreting adenomas from 60 patients with acromegaly who had undergone pituitary surgery; 36 had been treated preoperatively with octreotide LAR for 3-6 months, and were categorized as responders (achievement of GH <2.5ng/mL and a normal age-adjusted IGF-1), partial responders (GH and IGF-1 reduction >50% and >30%, respectively) or non-responders.
Somatostatin receptors subtypes 2 and 5, dopamine receptor type 2 expression and gsp status as predictors of octreotide LAR responsiveness in acromegaly.
The sister received conventional radiotherapy and acromegaly is now considered controlled; the brother is being treated with octreotide LAR 30 mg monthly and the disease is considered clinically active.