Somatostatin Analogue Treatment of Acromegaly: Molecular Aspects
Somatostatin Analogue Treatment of Acromegaly: Molecular Aspects
The treatment with SA still leaves some questions unanswered. Firstly, SA treatment often
 results in a concomitant suppression of the insulin secretion, which might lead to clinically
 significant glucose intolerance. Secondly, the traditional evaluation of disease activity by
 measuring circulating levels of GH and total IGF-I is not reliable enough

 Hypotheses: Treatment of acromegaly with SA versus surgery alone is associated with:

 -  Glucose intolerance despite normalized insulin sensitivity

 -  Modified peripheral GH activity in peripheral target organs assessed on molecular
 endpoints
Acromegaly is a rare disease usually caused by a benign growth hormone (GH) producing
 pituitary adenoma. In case of inadequate disease control, the condition is associated with
 significant morbidity and approximately a doubling of mortality compared to the background
 population. Medical treatment with somatostatin analogues (SA) has been employed for about 20
 years and is a well-established treatment in cases where surgery is impossible or inadequate.
 The treatment with SA still leaves some questions unanswered. Firstly, SA treatment often
 results in a concomitant suppression of the insulin secretion, which might lead to clinically
 significant glucose intolerance. Secondly, the traditional evaluation of disease activity by
 measuring circulating levels of GH and total IGF-I is not reliable enough
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  > 18 years

 -  treated acromegaly

 -  considered suitable

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  pregnancy