Hiba Masri-Iraqi1, Amit Akirov2, Ilan Shimon2. 1. From the Endocrine Institute, Rabin Medical Center - Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.. Electronic address: iraqihiba@yahoo.com. 2. From the Endocrine Institute, Rabin Medical Center - Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current real-life experience with medical treatment for active acromegaly in a large cohort. METHODS: Data on demographic parameters, blood tests, imaging studies, and treatments were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: The cohort included 87 patients (43 male) with active acromegaly. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.2±11.4 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 7.9±5.8 years. Seventy patients presented with a macroadenoma. Mean baseline insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (n = 67) was 3.2±1.9 × upper limit of normal (ULN). Surgery and radiotherapy were performed in 75 and 10 patients, respectively. Currently, 38 subjects receive somatostatin analogues, pegvisomant as a monotherapy is given to 8 patients, pasireotide is given to 17 patients, cabegoline to 4 patients, estrogen to 2 females, and SSAs combined with pegvisomant to 10 patients. Eight patients are not being actively treated, including 4 following radiotherapy. Good biochemical control (IGF-1 <1.3 × ULN) was achieved in 76 patients (87%), and 11 patients (13%) are currently uncontrolled (IGF-1 >1.3 × ULN). Seventy-eight percent of controlled patients are being given 1 medication; 11% are on combination therapy; 4 patients are well controlled after radiotherapy and 2 are partially controlled without any treatment. The main adverse effects of treatment were diabetes mellitus in 7 patients (on pasireotide) and symptomatic cholelithiasis in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Active acromegaly can be controlled medically in most patients, with a low rate of adverse effects. This study displays the characteristic variety of treatment options available for active acromegaly.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current real-life experience with medical treatment for active acromegaly in a large cohort. METHODS: Data on demographic parameters, blood tests, imaging studies, and treatments were extracted from the medical records. RESULTS: The cohort included 87 patients (43 male) with active acromegaly. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.2±11.4 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 7.9±5.8 years. Seventy patients presented with a macroadenoma. Mean baseline insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (n = 67) was 3.2±1.9 × upper limit of normal (ULN). Surgery and radiotherapy were performed in 75 and 10 patients, respectively. Currently, 38 subjects receive somatostatin analogues, pegvisomant as a monotherapy is given to 8 patients, pasireotide is given to 17 patients, cabegoline to 4 patients, estrogen to 2 females, and SSAs combined with pegvisomant to 10 patients. Eight patients are not being actively treated, including 4 following radiotherapy. Good biochemical control (IGF-1 <1.3 × ULN) was achieved in 76 patients (87%), and 11 patients (13%) are currently uncontrolled (IGF-1 >1.3 × ULN). Seventy-eight percent of controlled patients are being given 1 medication; 11% are on combination therapy; 4 patients are well controlled after radiotherapy and 2 are partially controlled without any treatment. The main adverse effects of treatment were diabetes mellitus in 7 patients (on pasireotide) and symptomatic cholelithiasis in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Active acromegaly can be controlled medically in most patients, with a low rate of adverse effects. This study displays the characteristic variety of treatment options available for active acromegaly.