From the Guidelines
Lanreotide is a somatostatin analogue used to treat conditions involving excessive hormone production, particularly neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and acromegaly. It works by mimicking the action of somatostatin, a natural hormone that inhibits the release of several other hormones in the body 1. The medication is typically administered as a deep subcutaneous injection, usually given every 4 weeks, with brand names including Somatuline Depot. Dosages range from 60 to 120 mg depending on the condition being treated and the patient's response 1. Common side effects include injection site reactions, digestive issues like diarrhea or abdominal pain, and gallstones with long-term use. Lanreotide is effective because it binds to specific receptors on hormone-producing cells, reducing their activity and decreasing the levels of problematic hormones that cause symptoms or stimulate tumor growth 1. Some key points to consider when using lanreotide include:
- It is used to control symptoms and tumor growth in patients with NETs, including those with carcinoid syndrome 1.
- The medication can be used in combination with other treatments, such as telotristat ethyl, to control symptoms 1.
- Regular monitoring by healthcare providers is necessary to assess the medication's effectiveness and adjust dosing as needed 1.
- Lanreotide has been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonfunctioning pancreatic or intestinal NETs 1. Overall, lanreotide is an important treatment option for patients with NETs and other conditions involving excessive hormone production.
From the FDA Drug Label
Lanreotide acetate is a synthetic cyclical octapeptide analog of the natural hormone, somatostatin. Lanreotide injection is a prescription medicine used for: the long-term treatment of people with acromegaly when: surgery or radiotherapy have not worked well enough or they are not able to have surgery or radiotherapy the treatment of adults with a type of cancer known as neuroendocrine tumors, from the gastrointestinal tract or the pancreas (GEP-NETs) that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery. the treatment of adults with carcinoid syndrome to reduce the need for the use of short-acting somatostatin medicine
Lanreotide is a synthetic octapeptide analog of the natural hormone somatostatin. It is used for the treatment of:
- Acromegaly: when surgery or radiotherapy have not worked well enough or are not possible
- Neuroendocrine tumors: from the gastrointestinal tract or the pancreas (GEP-NETs) that have spread or cannot be removed by surgery
- Carcinoid syndrome: to reduce the need for short-acting somatostatin medicine 2 2
From the Research
Definition and Mechanism of Lanreotide
- Lanreotide is a synthetic somatostatin analogue, which means it mimics the action of somatostatin, a hormone that regulates various bodily functions 3, 4.
- It has a high affinity for somatostatin receptors, especially sst2 and sst5 receptors, which allows it to effectively suppress excess hormone secretion 4.
- Lanreotide is used to treat conditions such as acromegaly, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET), and other hormone-related disorders 3, 5, 6.
Clinical Uses of Lanreotide
- Lanreotide is FDA and EMA approved for the treatment of unresectable, well to moderately differentiated, locally advanced or metastatic GEP-NET 4.
- It is also used to manage carcinoid symptoms and has a robust anti-tumor effect in NET 4.
- Lanreotide has been shown to be effective in reducing gastric acid secretion, bile salts, and lipase responses to meals, making it potentially useful in the prevention or treatment of pancreatic and bowel fistulas, as well as short bowel syndrome 7.
Administration and Formulations
- Lanreotide is available in a prolonged-release formulation, which can be administered every 10 or 14 days, and a long-acting release formulation, which allows for once-monthly administration 3.
- The long-acting release formulation of lanreotide, known as Somatuline Autogel, uses nanoparticle drug-delivery technology to provide a convenient and effective treatment option 3.