Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy With Sandostatin

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, and diabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes. Currently, there are no drugs available for its treatment. Recently, there has been interest in the role of somatostatin in the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Somatostatin is produced in the retina, the retina has somatostatin receptors, and it is a retinal meuromodulator. The somatostatin analog octreocide (sandostatin) is currently being investigated for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Treatment with octreocide has been shown to reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy and reduce the need for laser treatment. When administered among patients who have already received laser treatment, visual acuity was improved. Currently, a long-acting formulation of otreocide is in Phase 3 clinical trials. Patients in the trial will receive 20 or 30 mg of the long-acting somatostatin analog once a month, and progression of diabetic retinopathy, visual acuity, and diabetic macular edema will be assessed. The primary adverse events seen with this therapy are GI concerns and hepatobiliary disease. Results of this clinical trial will be presented at the 2006 American Diabetes Association Meeting.