Long-term treatment of acromegaly with the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 over 6 months

This study examined the effects of the long-acting selective mini somatostatin analogue (SMS) 201-995 in two acromegalic patients who were treated for 3 and 6 months, respectively. During treatment the mean growth hormone levels (25.3 and 20.8 ng/ml vs 5.9 and 10.6 ng/ml) and somatomedin C levels (6.2 and 6.2 IU/ml vs 3.3 and 3.8 IU/ml) decreased and the patients reported an improvement in their symptoms. The main side effect was an increase in stool fat excretion which did exceed the normal range (<7 g/day) in one patient. Five acromegalics who received 2 × 50 µg SMS 201-995/day for 5 days showed a significant increase of stool fat excretion (1.7 vs 3.5 g/day;p<0.05). Fasting blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, and glycosylated hemoglobin were not essentially effected. It is concluded that SMS 201-995 offers new possibilities in the treatment of acromegaly. The gastrointestinal and diabetogenic side effects of this substance, however, should be carefully monitored.