Long acting somatostatin analogues in combination to antineoplastic agents in the treatment of small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract Background Long acting somatostatin analogues combined with platinum analogues have demonstrated an antiproliferative effect on growth of human SCLC xenographs. Method 130 previously untreated SCLC patients – 54 with limited disease (LD) and positive somatostatin receptors were included in the study. All patients performed 111 In-Octreotide scanning before chemotherapy (CHT), every 3 months and up to 4 times. All patients were treated with paclitaxel 190 mg/m 2  + carboplatin AUC = 5.5 for up to 6 cycles. 47/130 patients (Group A, control group) received only CHT. Forty eight hours after each CHT 43/130 patients (Group B) were also administered 30 mg somatuline ® (lanreotide) by a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection to stimulate somatostatin receptors (SSTRS) for 2 weeks. 40/130 patients (Group C) received 60 mg somatuline ® autogel to stimulate SSTRS for 4 weeks. Patients in Groups A and B after the completion of the CHT continued maintenance therapy with somatuline. NSE, IGF1, VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFR2, HER2 levels were monitored. In histological samples Bcl-2 and VEGF were also explored by immunohistochemistry. Results No statistically significant differences were observed between the 3 Groups regarding LD and extensive disease (ED) patient ratios, age and PS. Group B had a survival benefit in comparison to Groups A and C ( p  = 0.029). LD patients of Group B had a significant benefit compared to Groups A and C ( p  = 0.012, Breslow test). In LD Group B had a significant longer TTP ( p  = 0.02) in comparison to Groups A and C. Adverse effects had no statistically significant difference between the Groups and toxicity was well managed. Interpretation Long acting somatostatin analogues could be used as an additive therapy in combination to antineoplastic agents in patients positive for somatostatin receptors. A dose of 30 mg improved survival only in LD SCLC patients.