Episode 32: Focus on Somatostatin Analogues (SSAs)

How do SSAs work? Should all NET patients be on one? What are the side effects? Dr. Edward Wolin from Mount Sinai Health System answers several common questions about the current and future role of somatostatin analogues in NET treatment. 

MEET Dr. EDWARD M. WOLIN

Professor of Medicine, Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine Director, Center for Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors Tisch Cancer Institute, Mount Sinai Health System

Dr. Edward M. Wolin is an internationally renowned authority on neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Wolin is the Director of the Center for Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors at the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai and Professor of Medicine, Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The multidisciplinary Center for Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumors features a robust research program with clinical trials aimed at finding the most effective treatments, including immunotherapy, biologic agents, targeted radiation therapy, and new approaches in molecular imaging for diagnosis. Dr. Wolin has pioneered innovative therapies with novel somatostatin analogs, mTOR inhibitors, anti-angiogenic drugs, and peptide receptor radiotherapy.

Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Wolin was Director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center. Previously, he worked for more than two decades with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he founded and directed one of the largest Carcinoid and Neuroendocrine Tumor Programs in the country, and subsequently directed the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at University of Kentucky. Dr. Wolin is also the Co-Medical Director for the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation and is on the Carcinoid Cancer Research Grants Scientific Review Committee for the American Association for Cancer Research. He has published in many prestigious journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Clinical Oncology, and is a reviewer for numerous journals, including Journal of Clinical Oncology, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Clinical Cancer Research, and The Lancet Oncology.

During Dr. Wolin’s two decades at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, he developed a close friendship with LACNETS founder Giovanna Joyce Imbesi. Dr. Wolin was instrumental in the co-founding and development of LACNETS. LACNETS has always been very dear to his heart and he cherishes and honors the memory of Giovanna. 

Dr. Wolin earned his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. He completed both his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in medical oncology at Stanford University Hospital. He was also a clinical fellow at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Wolin is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.

TOP TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT SOMATOSTATIN ANALOGUES (SSAs) FOR NETS:

1. What are somatostatin analogues (SSAs)? How do they work? 

2. When and how are SSAs used?

3. Which SSA should a patient be on? What is the difference? How do you decide?

4. How do you know if a SSA will be helpful? Should ALL NET patients be on a SSA?

5. What about patients whose tumors don’t “light up” on a DOTATATE scan?

6. How long can someone stay on a SSA?

7. What side effects may patients experience from the shot? What can patients do to prevent or manage these symptoms? How might it affect one’s day-to-day ability to work and function? Can I live a “normal life” while taking this medication? 

8. If the tumor is growing does this mean the SSA did not work? Do you continue it when patients are treated with another treatment? When do you stop a SSA?

9. What is the future of SSAs? I heard there is a pill that is available in a clinical trial. Ca

For more information, visit LACNETS.org.