Treatment of Inoperable Glucagonoma with the Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogue SMS 201–995

Abstract

CHEMOTHERAPY of metastatic or otherwise inoperable glucagon-producing islet-cell tumors (glucagonomas) has been unsatisfactory. The agents most frequently used, streptozocin and dacarbazine, are rather toxic and often not very effective.¹ Recently a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201–995),² which can be administered by subcutaneous injection, has been used successfully in the treatment of other malignant endocrine tumors, including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)–secreting and carcinoid tumors.^{3 4 5 6} We have administered this drug to a patient with an inoperable glucagonoma and found that it had sustained and beneficial effects on hyperglucagonemia, hypoalaninemia, and weight and skin changes.Case ReportThe patient, a 62-year-old man, underwent . . .