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. 1998 Mar;42(3):442–447. doi: 10.1136/gut.42.3.442

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with octreotide: a randomised controlled study

E Kouroumalis 1, P Skordilis 1, K Thermos 1, A Vasilaki 1, J Moschandrea 1, O Manousos 1
PMCID: PMC1727020  PMID: 9577356

Abstract

Background—Standard treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma has not been established. Somatostatin has been shown to possess antimitotic activity against a variety of non-endocrine tumours. 
Aims—To assess the presence of somatostatin receptors in human liver and to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with the somatostatin analogue, octreotide. 
Methods—Somatostatin receptors were measured in liver tissue homogenates from patients with acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Fifty eight patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were randomised to receive either subcutaneous octreotide 250 µg twice daily, or no treatment. Groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, Okuda classification, presence of cirrhosis, and liver biochemistry and virology. 
Results—Various amounts of somatostatin receptors were identified in liver tissue of all patients including those with hepatocellular carcinoma. Treated patients had an increased median survival (13 months versus four months, p=0.002, log rank test) and an increased cumulative survival rate at six and 12 months (75% versus 37%, and 56% versus 13% respectively). Octreotide administration significantly reduced α fetoprotein levels at six months. When a multivariable Cox's proportional hazards model was fitted, variables associated with increased survival were: treatment administration, absence of cirrhosis, increased serum albumin, and small tumours. Treated patients clearly had a lower hazard (0.383) in the multivariate analysis. 
Conclusions—Octreotide administration significantly improves survival and is a valuable alternative in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma;  octreotide;  somatostatin receptors;  liver disease

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Somatostatin receptors in liver tissue. Patients with either low or high levels of receptors can be identified in all disease groups. HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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Survival curves for treated and non-treated patients with HCC.

Figure 3  .

Figure 3  

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Survival curves for treated and non-treated cirrhotics with HCC.

Figure 4  .

Figure 4  

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Liver ultrasound of a patient before (top panel) and after six months (bottom panel) of treatment with octreotide. Small satellite tumours have regressed while the large tumour remains unchanged.

Figure 5  .

Figure 5  

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AFP concentration in the treated group. M, months.

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