About Sandostatin LAR® Depot

Mechanism of Action

Sandostatin LAR® Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is a somatostatin analogue. As such, its effects in the body are similar to those of the naturally occurring hormone, except that Sandostatin LAR® Depot remains active much longer than somatostatin.

Mechanism of Action in Acromegaly

Octreotide suppresses secretion of growth hormone and, secondarily, suppresses insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; somatomedin C) (1). In clinical trials, octreotide acetate controlled GH levels in 50-70% of patients, and normalized IGF-1 levels in 41-67% of patients (1, 2).

Mechanism of Action in Carcinoid Syndrome

Although the exact mechanism of action in carcinoid syndrome and VIPomas is still unclear, octreotide suppresses the release of the peptides and amines from the tumor and inhibits their action, thereby suppressing the severe diarrhea and flushing associated with this disease.

The mechanism by which octreotide improves the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with carcinoid syndrome was investigated by Saslow et al (3). The authors reported that octreotide:

• Significantly delayed overall transit time in the colon in 4 of 5 patients (P<.05 vs. placebo).
• Decreased circulating levels of: peptide YY (P<.01), neurotensin (P=.02), VIP (P=.02), and substance P (P<.01).

Animations

View animations of how Sandostatin LAR® Depot works to control excess hormone secretion in acromegaly and carcinoid syndrome. You will need the Macromedia Flash Player to view the animations.

	Acromegaly (832KB) Duration: 1min See how Sandostatin LAR® Depot works at the site of the tumor to control the 'Critical 4'.
	Carcinoid Syndrome (763KB) Duration: 1min 35sec See how Sandostatin LAR® Depot works to suppress the overproduction of certain peptides and amines associated with carcinoid syndrome.