Octreotide acetate-steroid combination therapy for malignant gastrointestinal obstruction

Aim: The Aim of this study was to investigate improvements in symptoms caused by gastrointestinal obstruction following administration of octreotide acetate (Sandostatin®) injection through steroid and opioid administration. Patients and Methods: Patients (n=37) hospitalized with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction were enrolled in the present study. Twenty seven of them were investigated for gastrointestinal symptoms using the Japanese version of the Support Team Assessment Schedule (STAS-J). Results: Octreotide acetate was administered intravenously to all 27 patients. Out of them, 17 showed a marked response, four a good response, and six no response. The overall response rate was 77.8%. Octreotide acetate with a steroid was administered to 19 patients; 13 showed a marked response, four a good response, and two no response at all. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that that steroid administration improved the efficacy of octreotide acetate after adjusting for infusion dose (p=0.03). Conclusion: Intravenous administration of octreotide acetate with steroid can effectively improve gastrointestinal symptoms due to malignant gastrointestinal obstruction without adverse events.