The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: is there a role for somatostatin analogues in the treatment of the gastrinoma?

Purpose: Analyze the role of somatostatin analogues (SSAs) in the treatment of sporadic and MEN1-related gastrinomas, trying to define whether recent trials have changed the landscape of gastrinoma therapy. Methods: We evaluate the rationale of SSA use in the treatment of gastrinomas, summarize the current literature concerning the effect of SSAs on the control of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) and gastrinomas tumor progression and discuss their role in the most recent guidelines. Results: The medical treatment of gastrinoma and related ZES is aimed at controlling acid hypersecretion and tumor progression, in inoperable patients. The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to control the syn…