A recent poster presentation at the 2021 NANETS Annual Meeting focused on the RELAX study, which evaluated patient-reported outcomes from carcinoid syndrome (CS) patients being treated with telotristat ethyl. According to the information presented, 78% of patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment’s control of their CS symptoms and diarrhea.

About Carcinoid Syndrome (CS)

Before we dive into the information presented at the NANETS Annual Meeting, we must understand what carcinoid syndrome is. CS is a rare condition that occurs in patients with malignant carcinoid tumors, which releases chemicals into the bloodstream. They most commonly form in the digestive tract and lungs, although they can also grow in the pancreas, ovaries, and testicles. They lead to symptoms such as:

• Night sweats
• Fatigue
• Skin that becomes red, flushed, and hot
  • At times the skin can appear purple
  • This symptom is worsened by exercise, alcohol, and stress
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Wheezing
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain

Medical professionals are unsure as to why and how these tumors form. This syndrome is also difficult to diagnose, as it is characterized by symptoms common to a number of other conditions. In terms of treatment, options include surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and medications that block the chemicals that the tumor secretes. Doctors also recommend avoiding alcohol and other triggers that worsen symptoms, alongside multivitamins to ensure patients receive all necessary nutrients that could be lost from diarrhea.

About the RELAX Study

This study aimed to understand the long-term effects of telotristat ethyl, marketed as Xermelo, through a survey that was distributed to 215 CS patients from the RELAX patient registry. These participants completed the survey for the first time at baseline and retook it every six months for the next three years. It focused on:

• Work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI)
• Changes in clinical symptoms
• Weight
• Patient satisfaction
• Use of rescue medication

Specifically, the primary endpoint of the trial was the proportion of patients satisfied with overall symptom control after six months on telotristat ethyl, while secondary endpoints are patient satisfaction in regards to weight gain or maintenance, diarrhea and flushing control, and WPAI. Results at six months include:

• 76% of participants reported increased or stable weight
  • 80% at twelve months
  • 74% at 18 months
• 78% of participants were satisfied with control of carcinoid syndrome-related diarrhea (CSD)
  • This percentage increased from 47% at baseline
• 80% of participants were satisfied with their overall CS symptoms
• 84% reported an improvement in the number of daily bowel movements (BM)
• The number of hours of work missed due to CS symptoms dropped from 3.7 hours over the past seven days at baseline to 1.5 hours at six months
• Declines in impaired activity, impaired work productivity, and presenteeism
• 75% of patients reported stable use of rescue medication at six months
  • 76% at twelve months
  • 83% at 18 months

These results continue to encourage the use of telotristat ethyl to treat CS and are very encouraging for patients and researchers alike.

Read the source article here.