Octreotide (SMS 201-995) for hematopoietic support-dependent high-dose chemotherapy (HSD-HDC)-related diarrhoea: Dose finding study and evaluation of efficacy

Emphasis has been put on the intensification of chemotherapy programs through high-dose chemotherapy regimens. While their myelosuppression is managed through the use of colony-stimulating factors and/or infusion of autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transfusions (PBPCT), extramedullary dose-limiting toxicities, including gastrointestinal mucosal injury, are a treatment-limiting factor and their management is a critical issue in HSD-HDC. Octreotide is effective in the control of diarrhoea induced by fluoropyrimidines. We have studied its effect on hematopoietic support-dependent high-dose chemotherapy (HSD-HDC) related diarrhoea, HSD-HDC-treated patients were included in the study when they had ≤ 4 loose stools per day. Diagnostic work-up included physical examination, stool culture, Clostridium difficile toxin assay, abdominal plain films, complete blood counts, liver and renal function tests. Patients were treated with 0.1 mg octreotide, q 8 h, subcutaneously for 48 h. Responding patients (≤ 2 loose stools per day) continued treatment at the same dose for an additional 24 h. Lack of response (≤ 3 loose stools per day), led to dose escalation by 0.1 mg increments, up to a 0.5 mg/dose and the latter dose was maintained for 24 h. Patients not responding at 0.5 mg/8 h were considered failures. A consecutive cohort of 24 HSD-HDC treated patients was studied. Fourteen (n = 14) (58.33%) patients developed severe diarrhoea with a median number of 7.5 loose stools per day (range, 4-11). Diarrhoea started at a median of 8 days (2-18) from day 0 of the infusion of HSD-HDC. Seven patients (50%) had less than 500 ANC/mm³ (grade 4 neutropenia) simultaneously with the diarrhoea. Twelve of 14 patients (86%) had their diarrhoea controlled, seven of them (50%) at the starting dose level of octreotide. In five of the responding patients (35.7%), octreotide had to be increased to 0.2 mg (one patient), 0.3 mg (two patients) and 0.5 mg (two patients). No toxicity was observed, while one patient had a subcutaneous hematoma at the injection site. We have concluded that octreotide appears to be safe and effective in controlling the diarrhoea induced by HSD-HDC. Prospective controlled trials are needed to confirm its value.