Pai, V., Porter, K., & Ranalli, M. (2011). Octreotide acetate is efficacious and safe in children for treating diarrhea due to chemotherapy but not acute graft versus host disease. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 56(1), 45–49.

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of octreotide in the management of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (CID) or acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in pediatric patients

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

A total of 38 courses of octreotide were administered (27 courses for CID and 11 for aGVHD).

Sample Characteristics

  • The study reported on 34 patients ranging in age from 5 months to 11 years.
  • The sample was 56% male and 44% female.
  • The majority of patients were diagnosed with leukemia.
  • The majority of patients were experiencing grade 3 diarrhea and were Caucasian.
  • Patients were eligible to participate if they had received at octreotide and had at least two days between the courses.
  • Response was measured in stool output as either complete response, partial response, or no response.

Setting

This was a single-site study conducted in an inpatient setting in Columbus, OH.

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

  • Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
  • The study has clinical applicability for pediatrics.

Study Design

This was a respective study of subjects that received octreotide acetate between 1994 and 2008.

Measurement Instruments/Methods

Data was collected based on chart reviews.

Results

A complete response was observed in 25 out of 27 (92%) courses of treatment in patients with CID; side effects were minimal. In patients with aGVHD, a complete response was observed in 5 out of 11 (45%) courses.

Conclusions

Octreotide was effective in 92% of courses given to patients with CID and 45% of courses given to patients with aGVHD.

Limitations

  • The sample size was small with fewer than 100 patients.
  • A larger number of patients in the aGVHD group died, which could affect applicability and validity of this trial.
  • This was a nonrandomized trial with a controlled group.

Nursing Implications

Octreotide has been shown to have an impact on reducing CID; however, larger randomized control studies are needed to confirm the validity of these findings as well as to determine efficacy in patients with aGVHD.