Established and potential therapeutic applications of octreotide in palliative care

Support Care Cancer. 2008 Oct;16(10):1117-23. doi: 10.1007/s00520-007-0399-4. Epub 2008 Feb 7.

Abstract

Octreotide acetate was developed as a pharmacologically stable, long-acting analogue of the hormone somatostatin. Mimicking the actions of somatostatin, octreotide has been used for its antisecretory effects. Randomized control trials have established the efficacy of octreotide for malignant bowel obstruction and for chemotherapy-induced diarrhea. Octreotide has proven to be an effective agent for symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Newer uses include for bone marrow transplantation, infectious diarrheal syndromes, and management of hepatic metastases. More evidence is needed for the establishment of its efficacy for hypercalcemia, pain, pleural effusions, diarrhea after celiac plexus block, and malignant ascites.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Octreotide / adverse effects
  • Octreotide / pharmacology
  • Octreotide / therapeutic use*
  • Palliative Care*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Octreotide