Study of Intranasal Octreotide (DP1038) in Healthy Adult Volunteers

Octreotide is a synthetic octapeptide analog of naturally occurring somatostatin, with similar pharmacological effects but a longer duration of action. It inhibits the pathological secretion of GH from pituitary adenomas, and of serotonin and other hormones by tumors of the gastroenteropancreatic endocrine system. Currently, only injectable octreotide and somatostatin analogs have been approved, for the indications of acromegaly, carcinoid tumors, and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors. DP1038, an intranasal formulation of octreotide, is being developed for the treatment of acromegaly, a rare chronic disorder arising from the overproduction of GH, predominantly by pituitary adenomas. Excess GH and associated IGF-1 levels are responsible for multiple symptoms (e.g., headache, tissue swelling, perspiration, joint pain) and significant comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, sleep apnea, cardiovascular abnormalities such as hypertension). In most patients with acromegaly, octreotide consistently normalizes GH and IGF-1 serum concentrations, thereby markedly reducing clinical symptoms.