LanreotideSomatostatin analogue
Lanreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analogue. Its medical uses include controlling hormone excess in acromegaly and treating selected neuroendocrine tumours.
What is Lanreotide?
Lanreotide is a long-acting somatostatin analogue used in defined settings involving acromegaly and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. These uses address hormone excess, tumour progression or both, depending on the diagnosis. 1 2
How it works
By activating somatostatin receptors, lanreotide inhibits the release of selected hormones. Somatostatin-receptor biology also underlies its use in certain neuroendocrine tumours. 2
Effects studied
Acromegaly hormone control
Treatment aims to control excess growth-hormone activity and its biochemical consequences.
Evidence: Indication-specific product information. 2
Neuroendocrine tumour progression
CLARINET evaluated progression-free survival in a selected group of neuroendocrine tumours; delayed progression is not the same as tumour disappearance or cure.
Evidence: Randomised clinical trial. 1
What does the evidence show?
The retained CLARINET trial concerns a defined group of neuroendocrine tumours. Its findings should not become a claim that lanreotide treats every tumour or cures cancer.
A brake on selected hormone signals
Somatostatin normally inhibits the release of several hormones. Lanreotide acts through somatostatin receptors and is formulated to remain active for longer. In acromegaly, treatment aims to control growth-hormone-related activity. In tumour treatment, the receptors and the tumour’s characteristics help determine whether it is suitable.
What the tumour evidence measures
The archived CLARINET paper investigated disease progression in selected gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Progression-free survival describes time before defined worsening or death, not a guarantee of tumour disappearance or cure. The trial’s eligibility rules and baseline tumour behaviour are important when interpreting its result. 1
A depot is not simply a longer supplement
The long-acting formulation is part of a medical treatment programme, with product-specific administration and follow-up. A different peptide preparation cannot be assumed to deliver the same exposure. Clinical monitoring also helps distinguish the effects of treatment from the symptoms of the underlying condition.
The same mechanism can create unwanted effects
Suppressing hormone and digestive signalling can affect glucose regulation and gastrointestinal function. The product information also identifies gallbladder problems, changes in thyroid function and a slower heart rate as considerations. These risks are weighed against the potential benefit when treatment is selected and monitored. 2
Safety & status
Gastrointestinal symptoms, gallbladder problems and changes in glucose regulation can occur. Thyroid function and a slower heart rate may also be relevant to monitoring. 2
Country and product status
This introduction describes the molecule and its research context. Product availability, approved indications and eligibility in Germany and Switzerland require a current local product check; they are not established by an overseas study or an online listing.
Frequently asked questions
Does slowing progression mean the tumour has gone?
No. Progression-free survival measures time without defined worsening, not necessarily tumour shrinkage or cure. 1
Is it used for every neuroendocrine tumour?
No. Tumour type, receptor biology, stage and the precise treatment indication determine relevance. 2
Sources
This entry was rewritten from our research archive. References below are reading leads unless a completed check is explicitly noted; a full independent evidence and regulatory review is still pending.
- Lanreotide: paper 10.1056/NEJMoa1316158 Research reference · Retained archive reference; not independently checked for this draft.
- Lanreotide: www.ipsen.com reference Reference or product information · Retained archive reference; not independently checked for this draft.
Research provenance
This name was discovered in the Superpower peptide index, archived 26 October 2026. Its ratings and reviewer attribution have not been adopted as our own. The archive informed this original editorial draft; independent source review is still pending.