Pasireotide - Mechanism of Action and Clinical Applications

Background: Pasireotide (SOM230) is a multi-receptor ligand somatostatin analogue (SSA) developed as the successor of the first-generation SSAs. Currently, pasireotide is recommended for the treatment of patients with Cushing's disease in whom surgery was unsuccessful, and patients with acromegaly who either remain uncontrolled after surgical therapy or in whom tumor resection is not possible. Methods and Results: Phase II and III clinical trials have shown pasireotide efficacy in these diseases, with a similar rate of adverse events when compared with first-line SSA, although higher incidence of hyperglycemia has been observed. Conclusion: Pasireotide therapy provides biochemical control, tumor volume reduction, and improves the quality of life in patients with those disorders. Furthermore, pasireotide might be considered as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, and it also might be effective in other neoplasms with a high expression of somatostatin receptors. In addition, therapy with this novel agent has been effective in prevention of postoperative complications after pancreatectomy. However, considering the diversified responsiveness to this drug in vivo, future studies should identify factors predicting better clinical response to pasireotide.