Octreotide LAR resolves severe chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) and allows continuation of full-dose therapy

Severe diarrhoea after chemotherapy is a dose-limiting toxicity of first-line chemotherapeutic agents approved for the treatment of colorectal cancer including 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin (5-FU/LV) and irinotecan (CPT-11). This report explores the potential of the long-acting version of the somatostatin analogue octreotide, for secondary prophylaxis in patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID). A case series of three patients in a general community setting with colorectal cancer and severe refractory diarrhoea after fluoropyrimidine or irinotecan therapy resulting in suspension of chemotherapy, hospitalization, and/or refusal of further treatment. After the failure of initial aggressive antidiarrhoeal therapy with loperamide and/or diphenoxylate-atropine, patients were treated with octreotide LAR (30 mg q28d). The ability of octreotide LAR to resolve diarrhoea, prevent further episodes of grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal toxicity and prevent costly hospitalizations. Octreotide LAR 30 mg q28d speed resolution of diarrhoea and was able prevent further episodes during subsequent cycles of chemotherapy. One patient who initially refused chemotherapy because of CID was able to complete his treatment. All patients reported improvement in quality of life following resolution of diarrhoea with octreotide LAR and no further hospitalizations because of CID were necessary.