EFFECT OF OCTREOTIDE ON NEUROENOLASE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER

Aims and Background: The somatostatin analog octreotide has an antipro liferative effect on small cell lung cancer lines in vitro and in expe rimental xenograft transplantation systems in vivo. Thus it is worth i nvestigating octreotide activity in the clinical setting. Methods: We studied the effect of octreotide (200 mu g three times a day subcutane ously for seven days) on serum levels of the tumor marker neuroenolase in 13 patients with small cell lung cancer. Results: A decrease in ne uroenolase levels was observed at day 7 during octreotide treatment, w ith a mean +/- SD of 32.6+/-42.0 ng/ml compared to basal values of 44. 4+/-57.7 ng/ml and to washout values of 50.3+/-65.7 ng/ml (P<0.03). Co nclusions: Our results indicate that octreotide is effective in reduci ng neuroenolase levels in small cell lung cancer patients. These data suggest a possible role for octreotide in the treatment of this kind o f tumor.