Octreotide therapy in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Little is known about octreotide therapy in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP) in children. Of the 59 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving E. coli L-asparaginase, 5 patients (8.5%) developed AAP. Octreotide was administered to four patients. Clinical and laboratory improvement were evident after octreotide therapy. There were no deaths and no severe adverse side effects were noted. No pseudocysts were detected; however, two of the four patients developed diabetes. One child without octreotide treatment developed chronic pancreatitis and pseudocyst. We conclude that octreotide therapy appears to be safe and potentially beneficial in the management of AAP in children.