Dose optimization of somatostatin analogues for acromegaly patients.

Somatostatin analogues (SSA) are well established for the treatment of acromegaly, an acquired disorder associated GH and IGF-I hypersecretion. In the majority of cases, the underlying cause of this disease is a pituitary tumor. The aim of treating acromegaly patients with SSA is to achieve biochemical control of GH and IGF-I secretion and control of tumor size. Ultimately, control of symptoms should be achieved, and morbidity and mortality should be prevented. It has been shown that patients with random GH levels <2.5 μg/l as measured by radio immunoassays (this will probably be <1 μg/l measured by modern sensitive immunoassays) and normal age-adjusted IGF-I levels, have a normal life expectancy (1) and increased quality of life (2). Hence, these treatment goals should be achieved as soon as possible.