Comparison of octreotide LAR and lanreotide autogel as post-operative medical treatment in acromegaly

Surgical and non-surgical interventions for primary and salvage treatment of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas in adults

BACKGROUND

Growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma is a severe endocrine disease. Surgery is the currently recommended primary therapy for patients with GH-secreting tumours. However, non-surgical therapy (pharmacological therapy and radiation therapy) may be performed as primary therapy or may improve surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of surgical and non-surgical interventions for primary and salvage treatment of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The date of the last search of all databases was 1 August 2022. We did not apply any language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of more than 12 weeks' duration, reporting on surgical, pharmacological, radiation, and combination interventions for GH-secreting pituitary adenomas in any healthcare setting.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts for relevance, screened for inclusion, completed data extraction, and performed a risk of bias assessment. We assessed studies for overall certainty of the evidence using GRADE. We estimated treatment effects using random-effects meta-analysis. We expressed results as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes together with 95% confidence intervals (CI) or mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, or in descriptive format when meta-analysis was not possible.

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight RCTs that evaluated 445 adults with GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Four studies reported that they included participants with macroadenomas, one study included a small number of participants with microadenomas. The remaining studies did not specify tumour subtypes. Studies evaluated surgical therapy alone, pharmacological therapy alone, or combination surgical and pharmacological therapy. Methodological quality varied, with many studies providing insufficient information to compare treatment strategies or accurately judge the risk of bias. We identified two main comparisons, surgery alone versus pharmacological therapy alone, and surgery alone versus pharmacological therapy and surgery combined. Surgical therapy alone versus pharmacological therapy alone Three studies with a total of 164 randomised participants investigated this comparison. Only one study narratively described hyperglycaemia as a disease-related complication. All three studies reported adverse events, yet only one study reported numbers separately for the intervention arms; none of the 11 participants were observed to develop gallbladder stones or sludge on ultrasonography following surgery, while five of 11 participants experienced any biliary problems following pharmacological therapy (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 1.47; 1 study, 22 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Health-related quality of life was reported to improve similarly in both intervention arms during follow-up. Surgery alone compared to pharmacological therapy alone may slightly increase the biochemical remission rate from 12 weeks to one year after intervention, but the evidence is very uncertain; 36/78 participants in the surgery-alone group versus 15/66 in the pharmacological therapy group showed biochemical remission. The need for additional surgery or non-surgical therapy for recurrent or persistent disease was described for single study arms only. Surgical therapy alone versus preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery Five studies with a total of 281 randomised participants provided data for this comparison. Preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery may have little to no effect on the disease-related complication of a difficult intubation (requiring postponement of surgery) compared to surgery alone, but the evidence is very uncertain (RR 2.00, 95% CI 0.19 to 21.34; 1 study, 98 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Surgery alone may have little to no effect on (transient and persistent) adverse events when compared to preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery, but again, the evidence is very uncertain (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.03; 5 studies, 267 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Concerning biochemical remission, surgery alone compared to preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery may not increase remission rates up until 16 weeks after surgery; 23 of 134 participants in the surgery-alone group versus 51 of 133 in the preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery group showed biochemical remission. Furthermore, the very low-certainty evidence did not suggest benefit or detriment of preoperative pharmacological therapy and surgery compared to surgery alone for the outcomes 'requiring additional surgery' (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.06; 1 study, 61 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or 'non-surgical therapy for recurrent or persistent disease' (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.28; 2 studies, 100 participants; very low-certainty evidence). None of the included studies measured health-related quality of life. None of the eight included studies measured disease recurrence or socioeconomic effects. While three of the eight studies reported no deaths to have occurred, one study mentioned that overall, two participants had died within five years of the start of the study.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Within the context of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas, patient-relevant outcomes, such as disease-related complications, adverse events and disease recurrence were not, or only sparsely, reported. When reported, we found that surgery may have little or no effect on the outcomes compared to the comparator treatment. The current evidence is limited by the small number of included studies, as well as the unclear risk of bias in most studies. The high uncertainty of evidence significantly limits the applicability of our findings to clinical practice. Detailed reporting on the burden of recurrent disease is an important knowledge gap to be evaluated in future research studies. It is also crucial that future studies in this area are designed to report on outcomes by tumour subtype (that is, macroadenomas versus microadenomas) so that future subgroup analyses can be conducted. More rigorous and larger studies, powered to address these research questions, are required to assess the merits of neoadjuvant pharmacological therapy or first-line pharmacotherapy.

Interpreting growth hormone and IGF-I results using modern assays and reference ranges for the monitoring of treatment effectiveness in acromegaly

Standard treatment for acromegaly focuses on the achievement of target absolute levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). The appropriateness of these targets when measured using modern assay methods is not well defined. This paper reviews biochemical status assessed using methods available at the time and associated clinical outcomes. GH measurements were shown to provide an indication of changes in tumor size, and failure of GH suppression after glucose stimulation is associated with tumor recurrence. IGF-I levels were more closely associated with changes in symptoms and signs. Reduced GH and IGF-I concentrations were shown to be associated with increased longevity, although the degree of increase has only been analyzed for GH. Lowering of GH and IGF-I has consistently been associated with improved outcomes; however, absolute levels reported in previous studies were based on results from methods and reference ranges that are now obsolete. Applying previously described absolute thresholds as targets (e.g. "normal" IGF-I level) when using current methods is best applied to those with active acromegaly symptoms who could benefit from further lowering of biochemical markers. In asymptomatic individuals with mild IGF-I or GH elevations, targeting biochemical "normalization" would result in the need for combination pharmacotherapy in many patients without proven benefit. Measurement of both GH and IGF-I remains an essential component of diagnosis and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment in acromegaly; however, treatment goals based only on previously identified absolute thresholds are not appropriate without taking into account the assay and reference ranges being employed. Treatment goals should be individualized considering biochemical improvement from an untreated baseline, symptoms of disease, risks, burdens and costs of complex treatment regimens, comorbidities, and quality of life.

Cost-effectiveness of direct surgery versus preoperative octreotide therapy for growth-hormone secreting pituitary adenomas

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of preoperative octreotide therapy followed by surgery versus the standard treatment modality for growth-hormone secreting pituitary adenomas, direct surgery (that is, surgery without preoperative treatment) from a public third-party payer perspective.

METHODS

We developed an individual-level state-transition microsimulation model to simulate costs and outcomes associated with preoperative octreotide therapy followed by surgery and direct surgery for patients with growth-hormone secreting pituitary adenomas. Transition probabilities, utilities, and costs were estimated from recent published data and discounted by 3% annually over a lifetime time horizon. Model outcomes included lifetime costs [2020 United States (US) Dollars], quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

RESULTS

Under base case assumptions, direct surgery was found to be the dominant strategy as it yielded lower costs and greater health effects (QALYs) compared to preoperative octreotide strategy in the second-order Monte Carlo microsimulation. The ICER was most sensitive to probability of remission following primary therapy and duration of preoperative octreotide therapy. Accounting for joint parameter uncertainty, direct surgery had a higher probability of demonstrating a cost-effective profile compared to preoperative octreotide treatment at 77% compared to 23%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using standard benchmarks for cost-effectiveness in the US ($100,000/QALY), preoperative octreotide therapy followed by surgery may not be cost-effective compared to direct surgery for patients with growth-hormone secreting pituitary adenomas but the result is highly sensitive to initial treatment failure and duration of preoperative treatment.

Real-world experience with pasireotide-LAR in resistant acromegaly: a single center 1-year observation

CONTEXT

Pasireotide-LAR, a second-generation somatostatin receptor ligand (SRL), is recommended for patients with acromegaly as second-line treatment. Its efficacy and safety were assessed in clinical trials; however, the real-world evidence is still scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of 1-year treatment with pasireotide-LAR on disease control and glucose metabolism in acromegaly patients resistant to first-generation SRLs.

DESIGN

A single-center prospective study.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with active acromegaly or acrogigantism on first-generation SRLs following ineffective pituitary surgery were switched to treatment with pasireotide-LAR 40 or 60 mg i.m. every 28 days. To assess the efficacy of the treatment GH and IGF-1 levels were measured every 3 months. Safety of treatment was carefully evaluated, especially its impact on glucose metabolism.

RESULTS

Complete biochemical control (GH ≤ 1 ng/mL and IGF-1 ≤ 1 × ULN) was achieved in 26.9% of patients and partial + complete response (GH ≤ 2.5 ng/mL and IGF-1 ≤ 1.3 × ULN) in 50.0% of patients. Mean GH level decrease was the largest within first 6 months (P = 0.0001) and mean IGF-1 level decreased rapidly within the first 3 months (P < 0.0001) and they remained reduced during the study. Blood glucose and HbA1c levels increased significantly within 3 months (P = 0.0001) and stayed on stable level thereafter. Otherwise, the treatment was well tolerated and clinical improvement was noticed in majority of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This real-life study confirmed good effectiveness of pasireotide-LAR in patients resistant to first-generation SRLs. Pasireotide-LAR was overall safe and well tolerated, however significant glucose metabolism worsening was noted.

Maintenance of response to oral octreotide compared with injectable somatostatin receptor ligands in patients with acromegaly: a phase 3, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Despite biochemically responding to injectable somatostatin receptor ligands (iSRLs), many patients with acromegaly experience treatment burdens. We aimed to assess maintenance of biochemical response and symptomatic control with oral octreotide capsules versus iSRLs in patients with acromegaly who previously tolerated and responded to both.

METHODS

This global, open-label, randomised controlled phase 3 trial was done in 29 clinical sites in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, and the USA. Eligible patients were adults aged 18-75 years with acromegaly who were receiving iSRLs (long-acting octreotide or lanreotide autogel) for at least 6 months before baseline with a stable dose for at least 4 months, and were deemed to be biochemically responding (insulin-like growth factor I [IGF-I] <1·3 × upper limit of normal [ULN] and mean integrated growth hormone <2·5 ng/mL). In the 26-week run-in phase, all patients received oral octreotide (40 mg a day, optional titration to 60 or 80 mg a day). Eligibility for the randomised treatment phase was completion of the run-in phase as a biochemical responder (IGF-I <1·3 × ULN and mean integrated growth hormone <2·5 ng/mL at week 24) and investigator assessment of acromegaly being adequately controlled. Patients were randomly assigned (3:2) to oral octreotide capsules or iSRL at the same dose and interval as before enrolment. Randomisation and drug dispensing were conducted through a qualified randomisation service provider (eg, interactive web or voice response system). The primary endpoint was a non-inferiority assessment (margin -20 percentage points) of proportion of participants maintaining biochemical response throughout the randomised treatment phase (IGF-I <1·3 × ULN using time-weighted average; assessed by comparing the lower bound of the 2-sided 95% CI for the difference in biochemical response between groups). IGF-I was assessed once a month during the run-in and randomised treatment phases (single sample). Efficacy and safety assessments were performed on the randomised population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02685709.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 11, 2016, and Aug 20, 2020, 218 patients were assessed for eligibility. 72 patients were excluded, and 146 participants were enrolled into the run-in phase. 116 patients completed the run-in phase and 30 participants discontinued treatment. 92 participants were randomly assigned to oral octreotide (n=55) or iSRL (n=37). 50 (91%) of 55 participants who received oral octreotide (95% CI 44-53) and 37 (100%) of 37 participants who received iSRLs (34-37) maintained biochemical response. The lower bound of the 2-sided 95% CI for the adjusted difference in proportions between the two treatment groups achieved the prespecified non-inferiority criterion of -20% (95% CI -19·9 to 0·5). 19 (35%) of 55 participants in the oral octreotide group and 15 (41%) of 37 participants in the iSRL group had treatment-related adverse events; the most common of which in both groups were gastrointestinal.

INTERPRETATION

Oral octreotide was non-inferior to iSRL treatment, and might be a favourable alternative to iSRLs for many patients with acromegaly.

FUNDING

Chiasma.

TRANSLATION

For the Russian translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

External Validity of Somatostatin Analogs Trials in Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: The GETNE-TRASGU Study

INTRODUCTION

Somatostatin analogs (SSA) prolong progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs). However, the eligibility criteria in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have been restricted, which contrasts with the vast heterogeneity found in NENs.

METHODS

We identified patients with well-differentiated (Ki-67% ≤20%), metastatic GEP-NENs treated in first line with SSA monotherapy from the Spanish R-GETNE registry. The therapeutic effect was evaluated using a Bayesian Cox model. The objective was to compare survival-based outcomes from real-world clinical practice versus RCTs.

RESULTS

The dataset contained 535 patients with a median age of 62 years (range: 26-89). The median Ki-67% was 4 (range: 0-20). The most common primary tumor sites were as follows: midgut, 46%; pancreas, 34%; unknown primary, 10%; and colorectal, 10%. Half of the patients received octreotide LAR (n = 266) and half, lanreotide autogel (n = 269). The median PFS was 28.0 months (95% CI: 22.1-32.0) for octreotide versus 30.1 months (95% CI: 23.1-38.0) for lanreotide. The overall hazard ratio for lanreotide versus octreotide was 0.90 (95% credible interval: 0.71-1.12). The probability of effect sizes >30% with lanreotide versus octreotide was 2 and 6% for midgut and foregut NENs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study evaluated the external validity of RCTs examining SSAs in the real world, as well as the main effect-modifying factors (progression status, symptoms, tumor site, specific metastases, and analytical data). Our results indicate that both octreotide LAR and lanreotide autogel had a similar effect on PFS. Consequently, both represent valid alternatives in patients with well-differentiated, metastatic GEP-NENs.

GH and IGF-I levels and tumor shrinkage in response to first generation somatostatin receptor ligands in acromegaly: a comparative study between two reference centers for pituitary diseases in Brazil

PURPOSE

To compare biochemical and tumor response rates between two reference centers for pituitary diseases in Brazil after primary and adjuvant therapy with somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) in acromegaly.

METHODS

Patients were classified as non-responders (NR), partial responders (PR), and full responders (FR) to 12-month SRL therapy according to: [criteria A] normal IGF-I and random GH (rGH) < 1 ng/mL (FR); ≥ 50% decrease of IGF-I and/or rGH (PR); < 50% decrease of IGF-I and rGH (NR); [criteria B] normal IGF-I (FR); ≥ 50% decrease of IGF-I (PR); < 50% decrease of IGF-I (NR). Tumor shrinkage <20% defined poor responders (tPR) and ≥ 20% good responders (tGR).

RESULTS

We studied 219 acromegaly patients (59% women, age 43.1 ± 13.9 years; 73 from Center I and 146 from Center II). After SRL therapy, the proportion of FR, PR, and NR by criteria A and B was 30.2 vs 49.1%, 52.8 vs 21.2% and 17 vs 29.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). Considering criteria A or B separately, there was no difference in the proportion of FR, PR and NR between two centers. However, when comparing criteria A and B, the Center I showed a difference of 30.9% in classification of FR in relation to 13.2% observed in Center II (p = 0.006). tGR were 51.4% of patients, with no differences between the centers.

CONCLUSIONS

IGF-I alone significantly increased positive response rates to SRLs, whereas the inclusion of rGH levels into therapeutic decision might lead to a significant increment on the costs of acromegaly management.

Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives of First-Generation Somatostatin Analogs in the Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Acromegaly: A Systematic Literature Review

Introduction

Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are used to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and acromegaly. Two first-generation SSAs, octreotide long-acting release (OCT LAR) and lanreotide autogel/depot (LAN), are available. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to investigate which characteristics beyond efficacy are most important in patient and healthcare practitioner (HCP) experience of LAN and OCT when used to treat acromegaly and NETs.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effect were searched from database inception to January 2019 with terms for first-generation SSAs, NETs, acromegaly, preferences, decision-making, and human factors. Key congresses in 2016–2018 and SLR bibliographies were hand-searched. Two independent reviewers screened articles at title/abstract and full-text stage. Publications fulfilling pre-specified inclusion criteria reported patient or HCP perspectives of LAN or OCT, or any factors affecting treatment perspectives for NETs or acromegaly.

Results

A total of 1110 unique records were screened, of which 21 studies were included, reporting from the perspectives of patients (n = 18) and/or HCPs (n = 9). Perspectives were collected using shared decision-making frameworks, questionnaires, informal patient opinion, and a Delphi panel. Where patient preference was specifically reported, LAN was preferred in 4/5 studies and OCT LAR in 1/5. Common factors underlying treatment experience included technical problems with injections and associated pain, emotional quality/anxiety of injections, time and convenience of treatment administration, and independence. Immediate aspects of injections appeared most important to patients, though the possibilities of extended dosing intervals and self-/partner-injection with LAN were also notable factors.

Conclusions

Study outcomes favored LAN in this SLR, with factors surrounding injection administration most influential in treatment experience. The findings of this SLR provide a basis that could inform development of decision-making criteria, with patient and HCP treatment perspectives considered. Future studies should utilize a common method to report preference and associated drivers.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-020-01600-x.

Maintenance of Acromegaly Control in Patients Switching From Injectable Somatostatin Receptor Ligands to Oral Octreotide

PURPOSE

The phase 3 CHIASMA OPTIMAL trial (NCT03252353) evaluated efficacy and safety of oral octreotide capsules (OOCs) in patients with acromegaly who previously demonstrated biochemical control while receiving injectable somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs).

METHODS

In this double-blind study, patients (N = 56) stratified by prior SRL dose were randomly assigned 1:1 to OOC or placebo for 36 weeks. The primary end point was maintenance of biochemical control at the end of treatment (mean insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1] ≤ 1.0 × upper limit of normal [ULN]; weeks 34 and 36). Time to loss of IGF-1 response and proportion requiring reversion to injectable SRLs were assessed as broader control measures.

RESULTS

Mean IGF-1 measurements were 0.80 and 0.97 × ULN for OOC and 0.84 and 1.69 × ULN for placebo, at baseline and end of treatment, respectively. Mean growth hormone (GH) changed from 0.66 to 0.60 ng/mL for OOCs and 0.90 to 2.57 ng/mL for placebo. Normalization of IGF-1 levels (≤ 1.0 × ULN) was maintained in 58.2% for OOCs vs 19.4% for placebo (P = .008); GH levels were maintained (< 2.5 ng/mL) in 77.7% for OOC vs 30.4% for placebo (P = .0007). Median time to loss of response (IGF-1 > 1.0 or ≥ 1.3 × ULN definitions) for patients receiving placebo was 16 weeks; for patients receiving OOCs, it was not reached for both definitions during the 36-week trial (P < .0001). Of the patients in the OOC group, 75% completed the trial on oral therapy. The OOC safety profile was consistent with previous SRL experience.

CONCLUSIONS

OOCs may be an effective therapy for patients with acromegaly who previously were treated with injectable SRLs.

Octreotide-Resistant Acromegaly: Challenges and Solutions

Acromegaly is a rare and severe disease caused by an increased and autonomous secretion of growth hormone (GH), thus resulting in high circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Comorbidities and mortality rate are closely related to the disease duration. However, in most cases achieving biochemical control means reducing or even normalizing mortality and restoring normal life expectancy. Current treatment for acromegaly includes neurosurgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy. Transsphenoidal surgery often represents the recommended first-line treatment. First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) are the drug of choice in patients with persistent disease after surgery and are suggested as first-line treatment for those ineligible for surgery. However, only about half of patients treated with octreotide (or lanreotide) achieve biochemical control. Other available drugs approved for clinical use are the second-generation SRL pasireotide, the dopamine agonist cabergoline, and the GH-receptor antagonist pegvisomant. In the present paper, we revised the current literature about the management of acromegaly, aiming to highlight the most relevant and recent therapeutic strategies proposed for patients resistant to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, we discussed the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the variable response to first-generation SRLs. Due to the availability of different medical therapies, the choice for the most appropriate drug can be currently based also on the peculiar clinical characteristics of each patient.

Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME) and Italian AACE Chapter Position Statement for Clinical Practice: Acromegaly - Part 2: Therapeutic Issues

Any newly diagnosed patient should be referred to a multidisciplinary team experienced in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. The therapeutic management of acromegaly always requires a personalized strategy. Normal age-matched IGF-I values are the treatment goal. Transsphenoidal surgery by an expert neurosurgeon is the primary treatment modality for most patients, especially if there are neurological complications. In patients with poor clinical conditions or who refuse surgery, primary medical treatment should be offered, firstly with somatostatin analogs (SSAs). In patients who do not reach hormonal targets with first-generation depot SSAs, a second pharmacological option with pasireotide LAR or pegvisomant (alone or combined with SSA) should be offered. Irradiation could be proposed to patients with surgical remnants who would like to be free from long-term medical therapies or those with persistent disease activity or tumor growth despite surgery or medical therapy. Since the therapeutic tools available enable therapeutic targets to be achieved in most cases, the challenge is to focus more on the quality of life.

Pituitary gigantism: a case series from Hospital de San José (Bogotá, Colombia)

INTRODUCTION

Gigantism is a rare pediatric disease characterized by increased production of growth hormone (GH) before epiphyseal closure, that manifests clinically as tall stature, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and multiple comorbidities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case series of 6 male patients with gigantism evaluated at the Endocrinology Service of Hospital de San José (Bogotá, Colombia) between 2010 and 2016.

RESULTS

All patients had macroadenomas and their mean final height was 2.01 m. The mean age at diagnosis was 16 years, and the most common symptoms were headache (66%) and hyperhidrosis (66%). All patients had acral changes, and one had visual impairment secondary to compression of the optic chiasm. All patients underwent surgery, and 5 (83%) required additional therapy for biochemical control, including radiotherapy (n = 4, 66%), somatostatin analogues (n = 5, 83%), cabergoline (n = 3, 50%), and pegvisomant (n = 2, 33%). Three patients (50%) achieved complete biochemical control, while 2 patients showed IGF-1 normalization with pegvisomant. Two patients were genetically related and presented a mutation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene (pathogenic variant, c.504G>A in exon 4, p.Trp168*), fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of familial isolated pituitary adenoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest case series of patients with gigantism described to date in Colombia. Transsphenoidal surgery was the first-choice procedure, but additional pharmacological therapy was usually required. Mutations in the AIP gene should be considered in familial cases of GH-producing adenomas.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is characterized by increased release of growth hormone and, consequently, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF1), most often by a pituitary adenoma. Prolonged exposure to excess hormone leads to progressive somatic disfigurement and a wide range of systemic manifestations that are associated with increased mortality. Although considered a rare disease, recent studies have reported an increased incidence of acromegaly owing to better disease awareness, improved diagnostic tools and perhaps a real increase in prevalence. Acromegaly treatment approaches, which include surgery, radiotherapy and medical therapy, have changed considerably over time owing to improved surgical procedures, development of new radiotherapy techniques and availability of new medical therapies. The optimal use of these treatments will reduce mortality in patients with acromegaly to levels in the general population. Medical therapy is currently an important treatment option and can even be the first-line treatment in patients with acromegaly who will not benefit from or are not suitable for first-line neurosurgical treatment. Pharmacological treatments include somatostatin receptor ligands (such as octreotide, lanreotide and pasireotide), dopamine agonists and the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant. In this Primer, we review the main aspects of acromegaly, including scientific advances that underlie expanding knowledge of disease pathogenesis, improvements in disease management and new medical therapies that are available and in development to improve disease control.

Surgical-pharmacological interactions in the treatment of acromegaly

INTRODUCTION

Acromegaly requires a multimodal treatment approach that includes surgery by an expert pituitary neurosurgeon, pharmacological treatment with one or more of the available drugs and radiation therapy. These treatment alternatives are not mutually exclusive but rather complement each other when properly indicated in the individual patient. In this review, we summarize and analyze the available data concerning the choice of the surgical approach (microscopy vs. endoscopy) and the interactions between medical treatment with somatostatin analogs and pituitary surgery.

AREAS COVERED

Technical aspects, complications and outcome of transsphenoidal surgery (TSS); Advantages and disadvantages of the microscopic and endoscopic approaches; Safety and efficacy of somatostatin analogs (SSA); Primary pharmacological therapy versus primary TSS; Benefits of the preoperative treatment with SSA; and the effect of surgical tumor debulking in the therapeutic response to SSA.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

Continuing efforts at improving surgical techniques and at generating more efficacious pharmacological therapies for acromegaly are likely to improve the outcome of these patients. However, an integral approach of the patient aimed not only at achieving biochemical criteria of cure but also at treating the individual comorbidities is mandatory to improve the quality of life of these patients and to reduce their mortality rate.

Invasive pituitary adenomas with gross total resection: The wait-and-see policy during postoperative management

Although pituitary adenomas (PAs) are regarded as benign neoplasm, efficient postoperative management of PAs, especially invasive PAs, is still a major challenge for neurosurgeons. Thus, in order to verify the effect of postoperative surveillance alone for invasive PAs and identify helpful predictive factors of relapse after initial surgery, a series of 107 cases of surgically gross-totally resected invasive PAs were retrospectively investigated. With regarded to pituitary function, the preoperative incidence of hypothyroidism was higher than that of hypoadrenocorticism and hypogonadism (66.4% vs. 31.8% and 29.9%; p < 0.001). Tumors extended into sphenoid sinus or cavernous sinus may be less likely to develop hypoadrenocorticism or hypogonadism. Postoperative relapse was found in 35 cases (32.7%) during a median follow-up of 27 months. The overall relapse rates were 12.3, 28.9 and 38.4% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Tumor size was the exclusive independent risk factor for relapse. Higher relapse rates presented in large invasive PAs (more than 3.45 cm) were 24.5, 48.9 and 59.2% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. In conclusion, preoperative larger tumors shared significantly higher risk of relapse after initial surgical total resection. Due to the relatively high relapse rate, close surveillance should be executed in strict rotation in postoperative management of gross-totally resected invasive PAs. Moreover, special attention should be payed to tumors with diameter of more than 3.45 cm for more than half of them relapsed in 5 years.

How are growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 reported as markers for drug effectiveness in clinical acromegaly research? A comprehensive methodologic review

OBJECTIVE

In rare disease research, most randomized prospective clinical trials can only use limited number of patients and are comprised of highly heterogeneous populations. Therefore, it is crucial to report the results in such a manner that it allows for comparison of treatment effectiveness and biochemical control between studies. The aim of this review was to investigate the current methods that are being applied to measure and report growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as markers for drug effectiveness in clinical acromegaly research.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A systematic search of recent prospective and retrospective studies, published between 2012 and 2017, that studied the effects of somatostatin analogues or dopamine agonists in acromegaly patients was performed. The markers of interest were GH, IGF-1, and the suppression of GH after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Additionally, the use of pharmacokinetic (PK) measurements in these studies was analyzed. The sampling design, cut-off for biochemical control, reported units, and used summary statistics were summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 49 articles were selected out of the 263 screened abstracts. IGF-1 concentrations were measured in all 49 studies, GH in 45 studies, and an OGTT was performed in 11 studies. A wide range of different cut-off values and sampling designs were used to determine biochemical control in acromegaly patients. The summary statistics were reported in various ways, with the percentage of biochemical control most frequently used. Nine studies sampled the PK at one or more time points. Non-compartmental analyses were commonly performed on the available PK data.

CONCLUSIONS

The way GH and IGF-1 are measured and reported in acromegaly research varies considerably. A consensus on how to report study results would enable better comparisons between studies, thereby improving evidence based decision making to optimize treatment in acromegaly.

Presurgical treatment with somatostatin analogues in growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas: A long-term single-center experience

OBJECTIVE

Acromegalic patients with macro- or giant adenomas often had poor prognosis after surgery. Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) show high effectiveness in both tumor shrinkage and serum GH reduction. But the role of SSAs in pre-surgical treatment and the management among macro- and giant adenomas remains controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 acromegalic patients with macro- or giant adenomas that underwent surgery in our institution between January 2010 and December 2016 were enrolled in the current retrospective study. The relationships between several potential parameters and surgical outcomes were further analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall long-term remission rate was 45% accompanied by gross total resection (GTR) rate of 44%. GTR (adjusted OR = 16.346; p = .001) and nadir GH level on OGTT 7 days after surgery (GH-7, adjusted OR = 0.660, p = .039) showed predictive significance for remission after surgery. Tumor size and invasiveness as well as cavernous sinus invasion were risk factors for residual tumor. For invasive macro- or giant adenomas, 6 of 15 patients achieved long-term remission with SSA pre-treatment whereas none of the 18 patients without any preoperative treatment was endocrine controlled.

CONCLUSIONS

Acromegalic patients did not gain more benefits from SSAs pretreatment. But, pre-treatment with SSA could be recommended to patients with invasive macro- or giant adenomas for significant improvement in long-term remission. GTR and GH-7 could be significant predictors in postoperative management of macro- or giant adenomas.

Efficacy of combined treatment with pasireotide, pegvisomant and cabergoline in an acromegalic patient resistant to other treatments: a case report

BACKGROUND

The approach to acromegalic patients with persistent acromegaly after surgery and inadequate response to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) should be strictly tailored. Current options include new pituitary surgery and/or radiosurgery, or alternative medical treatment with SRLs high dose regimens, pegvisomant (PEG) as monotherapy, or combined therapy with the addition of PEG or cabergoline to SRLs. A new pharmacological approach includes pasireotide, a second-generation SRL approved for patients who do not adequately respond to surgery and/or for whom surgery is not an option. No reports on efficacy and safety of combined therapy with pasireotide and pegvisomant (PEG) in acromegaly are available.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here we report the case of a 41-year-old acromegalic man with a mixed GH/PRL pituitary adenoma post-surgical resistant to first-generation SRLs both alone and in combination with cabergoline and PEG who achieved biochemical and tumor control with the combined triple treatment with pasireotide, PEG and cabergoline without adverse events and with a good compliance to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Twelve months of therapy with pasireotide, PEG and cabergoline proved to be safe and effective in this particular patient and the clinical improvement of disease resulted in an improved compliance to treatment.

Novel Somatostatin Receptor Ligands Therapies for Acromegaly

Surgery is considered the treatment of choice in acromegaly, but patients with persistent disease after surgery or in whom surgery cannot be considered require medical therapy. Somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) octreotide (OCT), lanreotide, and the more recently approved pasireotide, characterized by a broader receptor ligand binding profile, are considered the mainstay in the medical management of acromegaly. However, in the attempt to offer a more efficacious and better tolerated medical approach, recent research has been aimed to override some limitations related to the use of currently approved drugs and novel SRLs therapies, with potential attractive features, have been proposed. These include both new formulation of older molecules and new molecules. Novel OCT formulations are aimed in particular to improve patients' compliance and to reduce injection discomfort. They include an investigational ready-to-use subcutaneous depot OCT formulation (CAM2029), delivered via prefilled syringes and oral OCT that uses a "transient permeability enhancer" technology, which allows for OCT oral absorption. Another new delivery system is a long-lasting OCT implant (VP-003), which provide stable doses of OCT throughout a period of several months. Finally, a new SRL DG3173 (somatoprim) seems to be more selective for GH secretion, suggesting possible advantages in the presence of hyperglycemia or diabetes. How much these innovations will actually be beneficial to acromegaly patients in real clinical practice remains to be seen.

A multicenter, observational study of lanreotide depot/autogel (LAN) in patients with acromegaly in the United States: 2-year experience from the SODA registry

PURPOSE

This analysis evaluates the 2-year effectiveness and safety of lanreotide depot/autogel (LAN), as well as treatment convenience and acromegaly symptom relief, from the Somatuline^® Depot for Acromegaly (SODA) registry, a post-marketing, open-label, observational, multicenter, United States registry study.

METHODS

Patients with acromegaly treated with LAN were eligible for enrollment. Demographics, LAN dose, extended dosing interval (EDI) (interval of injections ≥42 days), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), glycated hemoglobin, adverse events (AEs), injection convenience, and symptom data were collected.

RESULTS

As of September 29, 2014, 241 patients were enrolled in SODA. IGF-1 levels below age- and gender-adjusted upper normal limit (ULN) were achieved in 71.2% at month (M) 12 and 74.4% at M24; GH ≤2.5 µg/L in 83.3% at M12 and 80.0% at M24; GH <1.0 µg/L in 61.7% at M12 and 61.4% at M24. Both IGF-1 < ULN and GH ≤2.5 µg/L were achieved in 65.0% at M12 and 54.8% at M24; both IGF-1 < ULN and GH < 1.0 µg/L were achieved in 51.7 and 42.9% at M12 and M24, respectively. EDI regimen was 5.0% at baseline and 12.0% at M24. At M24, acromegaly symptoms appeared stable or improved. The most common AE was arthralgia (25.7%). Among 106 serious AEs reported by 42 patients, 10 were deemed related to therapy in 9 patients. At M24, 73.1% of patients rated LAN as convenient.

CONCLUSIONS

SODA indicates 2-year biochemical control with majority of patients achieving both IGF-1 < ULN and GH ≤2.5 µg/L. LAN was generally well tolerated with no new or unexpected safety signals reported during the observation period. clinicaltrials.gov Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT00686348.

Remarkable Shrinkage of a Growth Hormone (GH)-secreting Macroadenoma Induced by Somatostatin Analogue Administration: A Case Report and Literature Review

Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone secretion, usually from pituitary adenomas. Somoatostatin analogues are widely used as primary or adjunctive therapy in the management of acromegaly. In this report, we present a case with remarkable shrinkage of a tumor after relatively short-term octreotide long-acting release (LAR) administration. During the 30-month follow-up after starting octreotide LAR, there was no recurrence of acromegaly with remarkable shrinkage of the tumor on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. A literature review of the predictors for tumor shrinkage after the administration of somatostatin analogues in patients with acromegaly is also discussed in relation to this case.

Somatostatin receptor ligands in the treatment of acromegaly

First-generation somatostatin receptors ligands (SRL) are the mainstay in the medical treatment of acromegaly, however the percentage of patients controlled with these drugs significantly varies in the different studies. Many factors are involved in the resistance to SRL. In this review, we update the physiology of somatostatin and its receptors (sst), the use of SRL in the treatment of acromegaly and the factors involved in the response to these drugs. The SRL act through interaction with the sst, which up to now have been characterized as five subtypes. The first-generation SRL, octreotide and lanreotide, are considered sst2 specific and have biochemical response rates varying from 20 to 70%. Tumor volume reduction can be found in 36-75% of patients. Several factors may determine the response to these drugs, such as sst, AIP, E-cadherin, ZAC1, filamin A and β-arrestin expression in the somatotropinomas. In patients resistant to first-generation SRL, alternative medical treatment options include: SRL high dose regimens, SRL in combination with cabergoline or pegvisomant, or the use of pasireotide. Pasireotide is a next-generation SRL with a broader pattern of interaction with sst. In the light of the recent increase of treatment options in acromegaly and the deeper knowledge of the determinants of response to the current first-line therapy, a shift from a trial-and-error treatment to a personalized one could be possible.

Somatostatin analogs, cabergoline and pegvisomant: comparing the efficacy of medical treatment for acromegaly

Therapies for acromegaly aim at normalizing hormonal excess and controlling tumor growth . Therapeutic approaches are surgery, pharmacotherapy and radiotherapy. Area covered: This review focuses on the role of medical therapy of acromegaly, comparing the efficacy of somatostatin analogues (SSA), dopamine-agonists (DA) and pegvisomant (PEG), the three available drug classes for treating acromegaly. To clarify the difference in response rates reported in the literature for these therapies, we performed a search for original articles published in PubMed. SSA represent the first-line approach to medical treatment. This therapy is effective in controlling acromegaly in about 40% of patients, however there are great differences in the reported hormonal efficacy of SSA in the different series. In patients partially resistant to SSA, cabergoline can be added when hormonal levels are close to normalization, resulting effective in control IGF-I levels in 43% of patients. In patients with higher hormonal levels PEG is indicated, normalizing IGF-I levels in 79.8% and 80.6% of cases when used in monotherapy or in combination with SSA. Pasireotide, the newly developed SSA multi-ligand receptor, represents a new option in SSA resistant patients. Expert commentary: Medical therapy represents an important therapeutic option resulting safe and effective in controlling acromegaly in a high percentage of patients. The best treatment should be individually tailored for each patient, taking into account sex, age, comorbidities, tumor characteristics and hormonal levels.

Monotherapy with lanreotide depot for acromegaly: long-term clinical experience in a pituitary center

PURPOSE

Long-acting somatostatin analogs are one of the main classes of medical therapy used for acromegaly and most patients require ongoing treatment. Few studies have evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of lanreotide depot beyond 2 years. The goal of this study was to provide a long-term longitudinal assessment of efficacy and safety of lanreotide depot in lanreotide responders compared to a surgically cured control group.

METHODS

In this retrospective longitudinal case-control study, patients with acromegaly receiving lanreotide depot monotherapy continuously for at least 24 months (N = 24) and surgically cured patients (N = 39) were compared. Serum IGF-1, pituitary MRIs, lanreotide dose, co-morbidities and adverse effects were assessed longitudinally.

RESULTS

In the lanreotide group, IGF-1 remained normal and unchanged over 6 years; comparable to the surgery only group. There was no difference in prevalence of normal IGF-1 between the lanreotide and surgery only groups at 6 months (100 vs. 97 %), 6 years (89 vs. 90 %) and at last follow-up (96 vs. 92 %). Tumor size remained stable (79 %) or decreased (21 %) in the lanreotide group. In the surgery only group, tumor size remained unchanged in all patients. Hemoglobin A1C did not differ between lanreotide and surgery only groups (baseline 5.8 vs. 6.1 %; last follow-up 6.0 vs. 5.7 %). Two (8 %) of the lanreotide and none of the surgery only group developed new diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

Lanreotide depot maintains normalization of IGF-1 in 89 % of responders after 6 years, comparable to surgically cured controls, and controlled tumor size in all without significant adverse effects.

Advancing Treatment of Pituitary Adenomas through Targeted Molecular Therapies: The Acromegaly and Cushing Disease Paradigms

The current treatment of pituitary adenomas requires a balance of conservative management, surgical resection, and in select tumor types, molecular therapy. Acromegaly treatment is an evolving field where our understanding of molecular targets and drug therapies has improved treatment options for patients with excess growth hormone levels. We highlight the use of molecular therapies in this disease process and advances in this field, which may represent a paradigm shift for the future of pituitary adenoma treatment.

Interpreting biochemical control response rates with first-generation somatostatin analogues in acromegaly

CONTEXT

The somatostatin analogues octreotide LAR and lanreotide Autogel have been evaluated for the treatment of acromegaly in numerous clinical trials, with considerable heterogeneity in reported biochemical response rates. This review examines and attempts to account for these differences in response rates reported in the literature.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed was searched for English-language studies of a minimum duration of 24 weeks that evaluated ≥10 patients with acromegaly treated with octreotide LAR or lanreotide Autogel from 1990 to March 2015 and reported GH and/or IGF-1 data as the primary objective of the study.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Of the 190 clinical trials found, 18 octreotide LAR and 15 lanreotide Autogel studies fulfilled the criteria for analysis. It is evident from the protocols of these studies that multiple factors are capable of impacting on reported response rates. Prospective studies reporting an intention-to-treat analysis that evaluated medically naïve patients and used the composite endpoint of both GH and IGF-1 control were associated with lower response rates. The use of non-composite biochemical control endpoints, heterogeneous patient populations, analyses that exclude treatment non-responders, assay variability and prior responsiveness to medical therapy are just a few of the factors identified that likely contribute to higher success rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The wide range of reported response rates with somatostatin analogues may be confusing and could lead to misinterpretation by both the patient and the physician in certain situations. Understanding the factors that potentially drive the variation in response rates should allow clinicians to better gauge treatment expectations in specific patients.

The quality of life in acromegalic patients with biochemical remission by surgery alone is superior to that in those with pharmaceutical therapy without radiotherapy, using the newly developed Japanese version of the AcroQoL

PURPOSE

To develop a Japanese version of the acromegaly quality of life (QoL) questionnaire (AcroQoL) and investigate the factors associated with impaired QoL in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

We developed a Japanese version of the AcroQoL by a forward-backward method and evaluated QoL in 38 patients with acromegaly who had been followed up at an outpatient clinic at Kobe University Hospital. Its reliability was examined with Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations. Second examination was performed for concurrent validity by assessment of correlations with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and longitudinal analysis of the AcroQoL in 25 patients.

RESULTS

Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations showed a range of 0.76-0.93 and 0.20-0.84, respectively, and significant correlations were found between the AcroQoL and the SF-36. Younger age and a history of radiotherapy were associated with worse total score by the multivariate linear regression analysis (p = 0.020 and p = 0.042, respectively). Intriguingly, in the biochemically-controlled group after the exclusion of patients who received radiotherapy, patients who underwent surgery alone exhibited a higher psychological (75.0 vs. 65.7 %, p = 0.036) and appearance (64.3 vs. 53.6 %, p = 0.036) score than those who are treating with pharmaceutical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The reliability of the Japanese version of the AcroQoL was satisfactory. Younger age and a history of radiotherapy were associated with lower QoL in patients with acromegaly. In biochemically-controlled acromegaly, patients who underwent surgery alone exhibited better QoL than those under pharmaceutical therapy.

Current therapies and mortality in acromegaly

Acromegaly is a rare disease most frequently due to a GH secreting pituitary adenoma. Without an appropriate therapy, life of patients with acromegaly can be shortened with ten years. Pituitary surgery is usually the first line therapy for GH secreting pituitary adenomas. A meta-analysis proved that mortality is much lower in operated patients, even uncured, than the entire group of patients and is similar with the general population in patients with GH<1 μg/ L. For the patients with hypersecreting postoperative remnant tumor, those with low chance of surgical cure or with life-threatening comorbidities, medical therapies are available: somatostatin receptor analogues (SRA), dopamine agonists (DA) and GH receptor antagonists. Studies with >30% utilization of SRAs reported a lower mortality ratio than studies with lower percentages of SRA administration. Although therapy with DA has long been used in patients with acromegaly, there are no studies reporting its effect on mortality, but its efficacy is limited by the low remission rate obtained. The use of conventional external radiotherapy, although with good remission rate in time, was linked with increased mortality, mostly due to cerebrovascular diseases.

CONCLUSION

Mortality in acromegaly can be reduced to expected levels from general population by using modern therapies either in monotherapy or by using multimodal approaches in experienced centers.

Lanreotide autogel in acromegaly - a decade on

INTRODUCTION

The novel formulation of lanreotide, lanreotide (LAN) autogel (ATG), has been available in Europe since 2001 and USA from 2006 for the treatment of acromegaly. It is one of only two clinically available somatostatin analogs available for use in acromegaly. Data relating to the use of ATG in acromegaly, specifically relating to comparison to octreotide (OCT) LAR and patient acceptability and preference, have been slow to accumulate.

AREAS COVERED

We performed a comprehensive review of the original literature relating to development, pharmacokinetics, acceptability and clinical efficacy of ATG.

EXPERT OPINION

LAN ATG is a novel formulation of LAN consequent on self-assembly of nanotubules in water. Diffusion between molecules within the nanotubules and surrounding tissue fluid in vivo leads to pseudo first-order pharmacokinetics. Efficacy is equivalent to the alternate long-acting somatostatin analog, OCT LAR, normalizing growth hormone and IGF-I levels in around 60 and 50% respectively. Control of tumor growth is observed in over 95% of patients, with 64% seeing a clinically significant reduction in tumor size. ATG is provided in a prefilled syringe for deep subcutaneous injection, allowing self-injection, and may be administered up to 8 weeks greatly improving convenience for the patient. The data strongly support consideration of ATG as the medical therapy of choice for patients with acromegaly.

The truncated isoform of somatostatin receptor5 (sst5TMD4) is associated with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer

Somatostatin receptors (ssts) are expressed in thyroid cancer cells, but their biological significance is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess ssts in well differentiated (WDTC) and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) by means of imaging and molecular tools and its relationship with the efficacy of somatostatin analog treatment. Thirty-nine cases of thyroid carcinoma were evaluated (20 PDTC and 19 WDTC). Depreotide scintigraphy and mRNA levels of sst-subtypes, including the truncated variant sst5TMD4, were carried out. Depreotide scans were positive in the recurrent tumor in the neck in 6 of 11 (54%) PDTC, and in those with lung metastases in 5/11 cases (45.4%); sst5TMD4 was present in 18/20 (90%) of PDTC, being the most densely expressed sst-subtype, with a 20-fold increase in relation to sst2. In WDTC, sst2 was the most represented, while sst5TMD4 was not found; sst2 was significantly increased in PDTC in comparison to WDTC. Five depreotide positive PDTC received octreotide for 3–6 months in a pilot study with no changes in the size of the lesions in 3 of them, and a significant increase in the pulmonary and cervical lesions in the other 2. All PDTC patients treated with octreotide showed high expression of sst5TMD4. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that only sst5TMD4 discriminates between PDTC and WDTC. We conclude that sst5TMD4 is overexpressed in PDTC and may be involved in the lack of response to somatostatin analogue treatment.

Implications of Somatostatin Analogues in the Treatment of Acromegaly

Octreotide has an important role in the medical management of acromegaly. Its place in the management of acromegaly as an adjuvant therapy after neurosurgery is well established with a well-demonstrated efficacy. It can also be used in certain clinical conditions as a neoadjuvant treatment. Clinicians and patients should be aware of the possible side effects of octreotide treatment.

Acromegalic patients lost to follow-up: a pilot study

Approximately 50 % of all acromegalic patients will require lifelong medical treatment to normalize mortality rates and reduce morbidity. Thus, adherence to therapy is essential to achieve treatment goals. To date, no study has evaluated the frequency and reasons for loss to follow-up in the acromegalic population. The current study aimed at evaluating the frequency of acromegalic patient loss to follow-up in three reference centers and the reasons responsible for their low compliance with treatment. All of the files for the acromegalic patients in the three centers were reviewed. Those patients, who had not followed up with the hospital for more than a year, were contacted via phone and/or mail and invited to participate. Patients who agreed to participate were interviewed, and blood samples were collected. A total of 239 files were reviewed; from these 42 patients (17.6 %) were identified who were lost to follow-up. It was possible to contact 27 of these patients, 10 of whom did not attend the appointments for more than one time and 17 of whom agreed to participate in the study. Fifteen of these 17 patients had active disease (88.2 %), and all of the patients restarted treatment in the original centers. The main reason for loss to follow-up was an absence of symptoms. High-quality follow-up is important in acromegaly to successfully achieve the aims of the treatment. An active search for patients may allow the resumption of treatment in a significant proportion of these cases, contributing to reduced morbidity and mortality in this patient population.

Efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of sustained-release lanreotide (lanreotide Autogel) in Japanese patients with acromegaly or pituitary gigantism

The somatostatin analog lanreotide Autogel has proven to be efficacious for treating acromegaly in international studies and in clinical practices around the world. However, its efficacy in Japanese patients has not been extensively evaluated. We examined the dose-response relationship and long-term efficacy and safety in Japanese patients with acromegaly or pituitary gigantism. In an open-label, parallel-group, dose-response study, 32 patients (29 with acromegaly, 3 with pituitary gigantism) received 5 injections of 60, 90, or 120 mg of lanreotide Autogel over 24 weeks. Four weeks after the first injection, 41% of patients achieved serum GH level of <2.5 ng/mL and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) level was normalized in 31%. Values at Week 24 were 53% for GH and 44% for IGF-I. Dose-dependent decreases in serum GH and IGF-I levels were observed with dose-related changes in pharmacokinetic parameters. In an open-label, long-term study, 32 patients (30 with acromegaly, 2 with pituitary gigantism) received lanreotide Autogel once every 4 weeks for a total of 13 injections. Dosing was initiated with 90 mg and adjusted according to clinical responses at Weeks 16 and/or 32. At Week 52, 47% of patients had serum GH levels of <2.5 ng/mL and 53% had normalized IGF-I level. In both studies, acromegaly symptoms improved and treatment was generally well tolerated although gastrointestinal symptoms and injection site induration were reported. In conclusion, lanreotide Autogel provided early and sustained control of elevated GH and IGF-I levels, improved acromegaly symptoms, and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with acromegaly or pituitary gigantism.

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoid surgery of pituitary adenoma

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoid surgery (EETS) is increasingly used for pituitary lesions. Pre-operative CT and MRI scans and peroperative endoscopic visualization can provide useful anatomical information. EETS is indicated in sellar, suprasellar, intraventricular, retro-infundibular, and invasive tumors. Recurrent and residual lesions, pituitary apoplexy and empty sella syndrome can be managed by EETS. Modern neuronavigation techniques, ultrasonic aspirators, ultrasonic bone curette can add to the safety. The binostril approach provides a wider working area. High definition camera is much superior to three-chip camera. Most of the recent reports favor EETS in terms of safety, quality of life and tumor resection, hospital stay, better endocrinological, and visual outcome as compared to the microscopic technique. Nasal symptoms, blood loss, operating time are less in EETS. Various naso-septal flaps and other techniques of CSF leak repair could help reduce complications. Complications can be further reduced after achieving the learning curve, good understanding of limitations with proper patient selection. Use of neuronavigation, proper post-operative care of endocrine function, establishing pituitary center of excellence and more focused residency and endoscopic fellowship training could improve results. The faster and safe transition from microscopic to EETS can be done by the team concept of neurosurgeon/otolaryngologist, attending hands on cadaveric dissection, practice on models, and observation of live surgeries. Conversion to a microscopic or endoscopic-assisted approach may be required in selected patients. Multi-modality treatment could be required in giant and invasive tumors. EETS appears to be a better surgical option in most pituitary adenoma.

Management options for persistent postoperative acromegaly

This article presents management options for the patient with acromegaly after noncurative surgery. The current evidence for repeat surgery, adjuvant medical therapy with somatostatin analogues, dopamine agonists, the growth hormone receptor antagonist pegvisomant, combination medical therapy, and radiotherapy in the context of persistent postoperative disease are summarized. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each of these treatment modalities are explored, and a general treatment algorithm that integrates these modalities is proposed.