Abstract
Somatostatin analogues have been the mainstay of symptomatic management of patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) for two decades with the main mechanism of action being inhibition of peptide release. Evidence base for interferon use is perhaps less clear. It may contribute to symptom control by abrogating peptide release, and there is some evidence that it has an anti-proliferative action. Combination of somatostatin analogues and interferon provides symptom control, mainly by effecting a reduction in the amount of circulating, physiologically active, peptide hormones. Treatment can also provide disease stabilisation in a proportion of patients. In a minority of patients treatment may lead to partial response.
MeSH terms
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
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Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / drug therapy*
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Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / secondary*
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Gastrointestinal Agents / administration & dosage
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Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology*
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Gels
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Humans
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Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
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Octreotide / administration & dosage
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Octreotide / adverse effects
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Octreotide / therapeutic use
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Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
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Peptides, Cyclic / administration & dosage
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Peptides, Cyclic / therapeutic use
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Quality of Life
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Somatostatin / administration & dosage
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Somatostatin / analogs & derivatives*
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Somatostatin / therapeutic use
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
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Gastrointestinal Agents
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Gels
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Interferon-alpha
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Peptides, Cyclic
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lanreotide
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Somatostatin
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Octreotide