Early Prediction of Long-Term Response to Cabergoline in Patients with Macroprolactinomas.
10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.280
- Author:
Youngki LEE
1
;
Cheol Ryong KU
;
Eui Hyun KIM
;
Jae Won HONG
;
Eun Jig LEE
;
Sun Ho KIM
Author Information
1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cabergoline;
Dopamine;
Prolactinoma;
Hyperprolactinemia
- MeSH:
Dopamine;
Humans;
Hyperprolactinemia;
Prolactin;
Prolactinoma*;
Retrospective Studies;
Tumor Burden
- From:Endocrinology and Metabolism
2014;29(3):280-292
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cabergoline is typically effective for treating prolactinomas; however, some patients display cabergoline resistance, and the early characteristics of these patients remain unclear. We analyzed early indicators predicting long-term response to cabergoline. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 44 patients with macroprolactinomas who received cabergoline as first-line treatment; the patients were followed for a median of 16 months. The influence of various clinical parameters on outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: Forty patients (90.9%) were treated medically and displayed tumor volume reduction (TVR) of 74.7%, a prolactin normalization (NP) rate of 81.8%, and a complete response (CR; TVR >50% with NP, without surgery) rate of 70.5%. Most patients (93.1%) with TVR > or =25% and NP at 3 months eventually achieved CR, whereas only 50% of patients with TVR > or =25% without NP and no patients with TVR <25% achieved CR. TVR at 3 months was strongly correlated with final TVR (R=0.785). Patients with large macroadenomas exhibited a low NP rate at 3 months, but eventually achieved TVR and NP rates similar to those of patients with smaller tumors. Surgery independently reduced the final dose of cabergoline (beta=-1.181 mg/week), and two of four patients who underwent surgery were able to discontinue cabergoline. CONCLUSION: Determining cabergoline response using TVR and NP 3 months after treatment is useful for predicting later outcomes. However, further cabergoline administration should be considered for patients with TVR >25% at 3 months without NP, particularly those with huge prolactinomas, because a delayed response may be achieved. As surgery can reduce the cabergoline dose necessary for successful disease control, it should be considered for cabergoline-resistant patients.
