Efficacy of everolimus in patients with metastatic insulinoma and refractory hypoglycemia

Background: Refractory hypoglycemia in patients with metastatic insulinoma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Everolimus could be a new therapeutic option. Methods: Within the French Group, we conducted a retrospective, multicentric study of endocrine tumors to evaluate the time to the first recurrence of symptomatic hypoglycemia, after everolimus initiation, in patients with metastatic insulinoma and refractory hypoglycemia. Ongoing hypergly-cemic medical options, tumor response, and safety information were recorded. Results: Twelve patients with metastatic insulinoma and refractory hypoglycemia who were treated with everolimus between May 2007 and June 2011 were reviewed. Everolimus (starting dose, 10 mg/day, except in one patient, 5 mg/day) was given after a median of four previous therapeutic lines. Medication aimed at normalizing blood glucose levels in 11 patients. After a median duration of 6.5 months (range 1-35C months), median time to the first recurrence of symptomatic hypoglycemia was 6.5 months (range 0 to 35C months). Three patients discontinued everolimus because of cardiac and/or pulmonary adverse events at 1, 1.5, and 7 months after initiation, which led to two deaths. Three patients discontinued everolimus because of tumor progression at 2, 3, and 10 months after initiation, without recurrence of hypoglycemia. Conclusion: Everolimus appears to be a new effective treatment for patients with metastatic insulinoma and refractory hypoglycemia. Tolerance should be carefully monitored.