Persistent remission of acromegaly in a patient with GH‐secreting pituitary adenoma: Effect of treatment with pasireotide long‐acting release and consequence of treatment withdrawal

What is known and objective Somatostatin analogues (SSAs) have been used for the treatment of acromegaly for several decades. However, a unified conclusion on the duration of SSAs therapy or the possibility of medication withdrawal is still missing. We aimed to report a case of acromegaly cured by pasireotide long-acting release (PAS-LAR) and provide some information on the withdrawal of SSAs after stable regression in acromegalic patients. Case summary A 55-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with acromegaly and refused surgery and received PAS-LAR as initial treatment, had maintained stability for ten years under the regular treatment with PAS-LAR. The pituitary microadenoma was also decreased during the treatment. After the PAS-LAR discontinuation for 21 months, no evidence of biochemical or clinical recurrence was found in this patient. What is new and conclusion The use of PAS-LAR in a subset of naive-treatment patients is promising to induce long-term regression. A subgroup of patients with mild and well-controlled acromegaly might hope for perpetual remission after the withdrawal of medication.