Effect of the long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin) in advanced breast cancer.

Abstract

Sixteen post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with a long acting somatostatin analogue, SMS 201-995 (Sandostatin): 0.1 mg bid sub-cutaneously. The dose was chosen on the basis of efficiency in acromegaly treatment. SMS 201-995 activity was evaluated assaying Insulin Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) plasma concentration. A merely partial IGF1 decrease was noted. To be evaluable for response, patients had to be treated for at least 30 days. Among the 14 evaluable patients, we observed no response to SMS 201-995. However, we noted tumor stabilization in 3 patients after a 90 days treatment period. Side-effects were very mild. This first report on SMS 201-995 treatment of breast cancer suggests that further studies evaluating the effect of other modes of administration or drug association should be warranted.