Dramatic response of a metastatic carcinoid tumour to a combination of interferon and octreotide

Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1992 Feb;126(2):184-5. doi: 10.1530/acta.0.1260184.

Abstract

The combination of alpha-interferon and octreotide has rarely been tested in the treatment of carcinoid syndrome. We describe a patient who was moribund when treated with interferon alone, but enjoyed a dramatic response leading to disappearance of all symptoms, normalization of dU-5-HIAA, and restoration of his normal life-style when octreotide was initiated. Neither interferon nor octreotide could be withdrawn without reappearance of the symptoms, suggesting that the combination of alpha-interferon and octreotide may have synergistic effects in carcinoid syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoid Tumor / physiopathology
  • Carcinoid Tumor / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoid Tumor / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / urine
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Octreotide / administration & dosage
  • Octreotide / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Octreotide