[Somatostatin and the digestive system. Clinical experiences]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Somatostatin exerts complex effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including hormone inhibition, reduced exocrine function, and altered motility.
• The development of long-acting somatostatin analogues (octreotide, lanreotide) paved the way for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the clinical outcomes of somatostatin analogue therapy in various gastrointestinal diseases over the past 25 years.
• To clarify the established role of these analogues in routine clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of large clinical trials and published data on somatostatin analogue treatment in gastrointestinal disorders.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding efficacy and clinical utility.

Main Results:

• Somatostatin analogue treatment demonstrates efficacy across a range of gastrointestinal pathologies.
• Clinical routine adoption is primarily limited to neuroendocrine tumors and specific adjuvant settings.

Conclusions:

• Somatostatin analogues are valuable therapeutic agents for specific gastrointestinal conditions.
• Established clinical applications include neuroendocrine tumors, esophageal variceal bleeding, and pancreatic fistulas.