EFFICIENT SYMPTOMATIC CONTROL OF CARCINOID-TUMORS WITH SOMATOSTATIN IN PATIENTS WITH DISEASE PROGRESSION UNDER ALPHA-INTERFERON THERAPY

Background/Aims: We report - as a retrospective observation - on eight patients with malignant carcinoid tumors. Materials and Methods: All patients were initially treated with alpha-interferon and received the longacting somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201-995) after disea se progression. Tumor growth was monitored by CT-scan, or ultrasound. In addition, serum CgA and urinary 5-HIAA values were determined. Resu lts: All patients responded with relief of symptoms within a few days after the start of octreotide therapy. A regression of the tumor size did not occur, however four patients showed no significant progress ov er a period of nine to more than eighteen. months. The endocrine param eter chromogranin A - determined by immunoluminometric assay (ILMA)- w as elevated in all eight patients regardless of symptoms and showed a close correlation with the course of disease. The urinary 5-HIAA value s were only elevated in seven patients. In addition, I-123-SMS 204-090 scintigraphy could be performed in sit patients. Using this method mo st of the primary tumors and metastases could be detected. Conclusions : Only octreotide therapy showed a sufficient symptomatic control and has to be considered as progress in drug therapy for patients with mal ignant carcinoid tumors. In addition, chromogranin A is an interesting endocrine parameter for the follow-up of the secretory activity.