Effects of Sandostatin on Metastatic Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Tumors
Author Information
Author(s): J.G.M. Klijn, A.M. Hoff, A.S.Th. Planting, J. Verweij, T. Kok, S.W.J. Lamberts, H. Portengen, J.A. Foekens
Primary Institution: Dr Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Erasmus University
Hypothesis
Can the somatostatin analogue Sandostatin effectively treat patients with metastatic pancreatic and gastrointestinal tumors?
Conclusion
The treatment with Sandostatin showed some endocrine effects but overall survival rates were disappointing.
Supporting Evidence
- 27% of patients showed stable disease for 3-9 months.
- Most patients experienced subjective improvement in pain.
- Overall survival remained disappointing, with a median of 2 months for pancreatic cancer patients.
Takeaway
Doctors gave a medicine called Sandostatin to help people with serious stomach cancers, and while some felt better for a little while, it didn't really help them live longer.
Methodology
Patients received daily subcutaneous injections of Sandostatin and were monitored for hormone levels and tumor response.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the small number of evaluable patients and the subjective nature of reported improvements.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and many patients had extensive disease and prior chemotherapy.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 14 with pancreatic cancer, 16 with colorectal cancer, and 4 with gastric cancer, with a mean age of 57 for pancreatic and 61 for colorectal cancer.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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