Real-world value of cabergoline in the treatment of acromegaly

Cabergoline is an ergot derivative long-acting dopamine receptor 2 (DR2) selective agonist administered orally and widely used for the treatment of prolactin-secreting adenomas and Parkinson’s disease. DR2 is expressed in most somatotroph adenomas. In acromegaly, cabergoline is used off-label and its role is limited by the relatively modest efficacy for achieving hormonal remission and thus, it is largely indicated in patients with mild elevation of GH/IGF-I postoperatively. It can be given as monotherapy, usually at a higher weekly dose than usually required to treat prolactinomas, but also as an add-on treatment in patients partially responding to the somatostatin receptor ligands octreotide or lanreotide. IGF-1 normalization with cabergoline can be achieved in about a third of the patients. Low baseline IGF-1 level (below 1.5 x ULN) before cabergoline initiation is a good predictor for remission. Combination treatment with the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant can also be beneficial. The inexpensive, well-tolerated and convenient oral administration of cabergoline makes it an attractive medical therapy for active acromegaly.