Key result
Lanreotide is linked to modest LVEF recovery and biochemical control in paraganglioma-associated cardiomyopathy.
Why the study?
Paragangliomas can cause catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy, and while surgical resection is standard, some patients are not candidates for surgery or heart transplantation.
Does lanreotide improve cardiovascular and biochemical parameters in a patient with SDHB-associated hereditary paraganglioma and severe cardiomyopathy?
Case Report (n=1)
Does lanreotide improve cardiovascular and biochemical parameters in a patient with SDHB-associated hereditary paraganglioma and severe cardiomyopathy?
Lanreotide may serve as an effective non-surgical therapeutic option for paraganglioma-associated cardiomyopathy in high-risk patients, leading to biochemical and cardiovascular stabilization.
May support lanreotide in select inoperable SDHB cases; leaves open need for prospective validation of durability and outcomes.
Introduction: Paragangliomas are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors that can cause significant cardiovascular complications, including catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. While surgical resection is the standard of care, some patients are not candidates for surgery or heart transplantation due to tumor biology, genetic risk, or patient preference. Case summary: A 68-year-old man with longstanding hypertension, hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma syndrome (SDHB mutation), and advanced nonischemic cardiomyopathy was evaluated for heart transplantation. Imaging revealed a highly vascular retroperitoneal paraganglioma, and biochemical testing demonstrated markedly elevated chromogranin A with mildly increased plasma free normetanephrine. Biopsy confirmed paraganglioma. Due to transplant ineligibility related to malignancy risk and the patient's decision to decline surgical resection, medical therapy with lanreotide was initiated. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated biochemical improvement with declining chromogranin A levels, stabilization of blood pressure, improvement in B-type natriuretic peptide, modest recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduced metabolic activity on serial somatostatin receptor PET/CT imaging, with stable tumor size. Functional status remained excellent without further heart failure hospitalizations. Conclusion: This case highlights lanreotide as a potential non-surgical therapeutic option for paraganglioma-associated cardiomyopathy in select high-risk patients. Systemic tumor control may contribute to cardiovascular stabilization when surgical or transplant options are not feasible.
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Pack et al. (2026) conducted a case report in SDHB-associated hereditary paraganglioma with severe cardiomyopathy (n=1). Lanreotide was evaluated on Clinical and biochemical response. Lanreotide therapy in a patient with paraganglioma-associated cardiomyopathy led to decreased chromogranin A, stabilized blood pressure, and modest LVEF recovery over 8 months.
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