ABSTRACT
T here is increasing interest in somatostatin (SST) analogs in the diagnosis and therapy of neuroendocrine tumors (NET), which constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms often associated with typical symptoms due to excessive production of hormones and bioactive substances. SST analogs have been proven as drugs of first choice in the reliable
control of hormone-mediated symptoms and for nonresectable gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NET. Somatostatin can exert both cytotoxic and cytostatic actions. Evidence for antiproliferative properties of SST and its analogs derives from in vitro and in vivo studies. SST analogs show also antitumor activity, however tumor shrinkage in GEP NET has rarely been observed, but tumor stabilization in 25-75% of patients with NET has been reported.
