A randomised trial of octreotide vs best supportive care only in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients refractory to chemotherapy.

Cascinu S, Del Ferro E, Catalano G

British journal of cancer1 Jan 1995Cited by 48 (Europe PMC)

PMID7819058PMCIDPMC2033463DOI10.1038/bjc.1995.19PepBankPUB-07819058

Summary

Octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, has been shown to inhibit the growth of gastrointestinal cancers in vitro and in vivo. To assess the anti-tumour effect of octreotide, we performed a randomised trial comparing octreotide with best supportive care in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients refractory to chemotherapy. A total of 107 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy were randomised to receive octreotide at the dose of 200 micrograms three times a day for 5 days a week, or the best supportive care only. The primary outcome variable was the survival duration. Response rate was an outcome variable of secondary importance. Fifty-five patients (15 stomach, 16 pancreas, 24 colon-rectum) received octreotide, while 52 (14 stomach, 16 pancreas, 22 colon-rectum) received the best supportive care. Patients treated with octreotide had a significant advantage in duration of survival with a median survival time of 20 weeks vs 11 in the control group (P < 0.0001). This advantage was present also considering the survival data for each tumour group. Twenty-five patients (45%) given octreotide showed stable disease vs only eight (15%) in the control group (P < 0.001). In conclusion, octreotide therapy seems to confer a survival benefit in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients refractory to chemotherapy. Additional studies will be needed to confirm these results and to clarify other questions about dose and schedule of octreotide.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy, octreotide increased median survival to 20 weeks versus 11 with supportive care (P < 0.0001).
In plain wordsIn advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy, octreotide increased survival versus supportive care.
Peptide
Octreotide
Outcome
IncreaseOverall survival duration
Study
n = 107
Comparator
Best supportive care only
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Mortality · Cancer
Studied dose
200 micrograms three times a day for 5 days a weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Median survival
20 weeks
octreotide group
Median survival
11 weeks
best supportive care group
P value
< 0.0001
survival duration
Source sentences
Summary
Patients treated with octreotide had a significant advantage in duration of survival with a median survival time of 20 weeks vs 11 in the control group (P < 0.0001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 107 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy were randomised to receive octreotide at the dose of 200 micrograms three times a day for 5 days a week, or the best supportive care only.
Summary · context
Fifty-five patients (15 stomach, 16 pancreas, 24 colon-rectum) received octreotide, while 52 (14 stomach, 16 pancreas, 22 colon-rectum) received the best supportive care.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0781905801
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy, stable disease occurred in 25 patients (45%) with octreotide versus eight (15%) with supportive care (P < 0.001).
In plain wordsIn advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy, octreotide increased stable disease versus supportive care.
Peptide
Octreotide
Outcome
IncreaseStable disease
Study
n = 107
Comparator
Best supportive care only
Outcome group
Tumor growth · Cancer
Studied dose
200 micrograms three times a day for 5 days a weekAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Patients with stable disease
25 patients
octreotide group, 45 percent
Stable disease rate
45 percent
octreotide group
Patients with stable disease
8 patients
control group, 15 percent
Stable disease rate
15 percent
control group
P value
< 0.001
stable disease
Source sentences
Summary
Twenty-five patients (45%) given octreotide showed stable disease vs only eight (15%) in the control group (P < 0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 107 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer refractory to chemotherapy were randomised to receive octreotide at the dose of 200 micrograms three times a day for 5 days a week, or the best supportive care only.
Summary · context
Fifty-five patients (15 stomach, 16 pancreas, 24 colon-rectum) received octreotide, while 52 (14 stomach, 16 pancreas, 22 colon-rectum) received the best supportive care.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0781905805

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Version 2Current
28 Oct 2026, 02:03 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
27 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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