Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Octreotide treatment does not affect the size of most nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The somatostatin analogue, octreotide (OC) has commonly been used in the management of growth hormone- and thyrotropin-secreting pituitary tumors, and shown to be effective both on hormone production and tumor size. Because OC receptors may be expressed also in some nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, it has been postulated that OC might play a role in the treatment of these tumors as well. In the present study, the morphological effects of OC administration, as assessed by computer tomography (CT) scan, were evaluated in 8 patients (5 men, 3 women, age range 25–79 yr) affected by non-functioning pituitary tumors. The drug was given sc at the dose of 100 μg tid for 3–6 months. No significant change in visual field or tumor size occurred after OC treatment in 7 patients, whereas one showed a significant improvement of visual field associated with a decreased tumoral mass. These data suggest that OC is not an effective drug in the management of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lamberts S.W.J. The role of somatostatin in the regulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion and the use of its analogs in the treatment of human pituitary tumors. Endocr. Rev. 9: 417, 1988.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Vance M.L., Harris A.G. Long term treatment of 189 acromegalic patients with the somatostatin analog, octreotide: Results of the International Multicentric Acromegaly Study Group. Arch. Intern. Med. 151; 1573, 1991.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Lamberts S.W.J., Krenning E.P., Reubi J.C. The role of somatostatin and its analogs in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Endocr. Rev. 12: 450, 1991.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Editorial Octreotide steaming ahead. Lancet 339: 837, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Beck-Peccoz P., Mariotti S., Guillausseau P.J., Medri G., Piscitelli G., Bertoli A., Barbarino A., Rondena M., Chanson Ph., Pinchera A., Faglia G. Treatment of hyperthyroidism due to inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin with the somatostatin analog SMS 201–995. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 68: 208, 1989.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Beckers A., Abs A., Mahler C., Vandelem J.L., Pirens G., Hennen G., Stevenaert A. Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas: report of eight cases. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 72: 477, 1991.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bertherat J., Brue T., Enjalbert A., Gunz G., Rasolonjanahary R., Warnet A., Jaquet P., Epelbaum J. Somatostatin receptors on thyrotropin-functioning pituitary adenomas: Comparison with the inhibitory effects of octreotide upon in vivo and in vitro hormonal secretions. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 75: 540, 1992.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ikuyama S., Nawata H., Kato K., Karashima T., Ibayashi H., Nakagaki H. Specific somatostatin receptors on human pituitary adenoma cell membranes. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 61: 666, 1985.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Reubi J.C., Heitz P.U., Landolt A.M. Visualization of somatostatin receptors and correlation with immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in human pituitary adenomas: evidence for different tumor subclasses. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 65: 65, 1987.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Faglia G., Bazzoni N., Spada A., Arosio M., Ambrosi B., Spinelli F., Sara R., Bonino C., Lunghi F. In vivo detection of somatostatin receptors in patients with functionless pituitary adenomas by means of a radioiodinated analog of somatostatin ([123-I]SDZ 204–990). J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 73: 850, 1991.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Lamberts S.W.J., Bakker W.H., Reubi J.C., Krenning E.P. Somatostatin receptor imaging in the localization of endocrine tumors. N. Engl. J. Med. 323: 1246, 1990.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Warnet A. The role of octreotide (Sandostatin) in non-growth hormone-, nonthyroid-stimulating hormone-, and non-prolactin-secreting adenomas. Metabolism 41 (Suppl. 2): 59, 1992.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Liuzzi A., Dallabonzana D., Oppizzi G., Cozzi R., Strada S., Arrigoni G., Chiodini P.G. Is there a real medical treatment for the “non-functioning” pituitary adenomas? J. Endocrinol. Invest. 14 (Suppl. 1): 18, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bazzoni N., Farabola M., Arosio M. Is the effect of octreotide therapy in patients with functionless pituitary adenomas predictable? J. Endocrinol. Invest. 14 (Suppl. 2): 53, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Warnet A. Effect of sandostatin on optic chiasm compression due to non GH-, non TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas. J. Endocrinol. Invest. 13 (Suppl. 2): 74, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Endocrinologia, University of Pisa, Viale del Tirreno, 64, 56018, Tirrenia-Pisa, Italy

    M. Gasperi, L. Bartalena &  Enio Martino

  2. Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    L. Petrini, R. Pilosu & A. Marcello

  3. Clinica Oculistica, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    M. Nardi

  4. Servizio di Radiologia, Ospedale Brozzu, Cagliari, Italy

    F. Mastio

Authors
  1. M. Gasperi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. Petrini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Pilosu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Nardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Marcello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. F. Mastio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. L. Bartalena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Enio Martino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gasperi, M., Petrini, L., Pilosu, R. et al. Octreotide treatment does not affect the size of most nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. J Endocrinol Invest 16, 541–543 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348901

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348901

Key-words

Search

Navigation