Lanreotide depot deep subcutaneous injection: a new method of delivery and its associated benefits

Abstract

Acromegaly is a rare disease characterized by excessive growth hormone secretion, usually from a pituitary tumor. Treatment options include surgery, medical therapy, and in some cases, radiation therapy. Current medical therapy consists of treatment with somatostatin analog medications or a growth hormone receptor antagonist. There are two somatostatin analogs currently in use, octreotide and lanreotide. Both are supplied in long-acting formulations and are of comparable biochemical efficacy. Lanreotide is supplied in a prefilled syringe and is injected into deep subcutaneous tissue. Studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of self- or partner administration, and have demonstrated that injection of lanreotide can be accomplished reliably and safely outside a physician’s office. For patients who have achieved biochemical control with lanreotide, the FDA has recently approved an extended dosing interval. Selected patients may be able to receive the medication less frequently with injections of 120 mg administered every 6 or 8 weeks. This review focuses on the use of lanreotide in the treatment of acromegaly, the safety and efficacy of the drug, and the benefits afforded to patients because of unique aspects of the delivery of lanreotide.

Rationale and Design of the DIPAK 1 Study: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Lanreotide to Halt Disease Progression in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

“…Octreotide and lanreotide bind with high affinity to somatostatin receptor 2. 39,41,42 Detection of the so matostatin receptor 2 in kidney tubules and its inhibitory effect on cAMP production suggest a potential effect of somatostatin on cyst fluid secretion and enlargement in patients with ADPKD. 43,44 In experimental models of PKD, somatostatin analogues have been shown to inhibit hepatorenal cystogenesis.…”

Building nanostructures with drugs

“…8A) [139], ganirelix (Fig. 8A) [140], and degarelix [140], with lanreotide being approved by the FDA for the treatment of acromelagy [153] and neuroendocrine tumors [154] as an injectable sustained release hydrogel (Somatuline® Depot, Ipsen). A common feature between these three examples is a naphthalene moiety that, for lanreotide at least, has been shown to significantly contribute to the self-assembly through π–π interactions [155].…”

Reviews Pharmacoeconomic aspects of the treatment of pituitary gland tumours

“…Both lanreotide and octreotide have approximately 40–60% efficacy in achieving a biochemical control of acromegaly [12–14]. Moreover, both medications are well tolerated, lead to symptom relief and are effective in reducing tumor size by at least 20% in approximately 75% of patients suffering from this disease [13, 14, 16]. So far, individual results of therapy are not predictable.…”

“…Moreover, injection site reactions such as erythema or swelling may occur. Local side effects can be avoided by warming drugs to room temperature before injection [9, 12, 13, 16]. …”