Sanvar (vapreotide acetate) is a synthetic octapeptide analogue of the naturally-occurring somatostatin hormone. It has similar pharmacological properties to native somatostatin, but exhibits a longer duration of action. It is the only somatostatin analogue to have demonstrated statistically significant benefits in the early treatment of EVB in association with endoscopic therapy, in a placebo-controlled clinical study (Calès et al. New England Journal of Medicine, 2001). Control of bleeding with survival at five days was achieved more often with Sanvar (p=0.021) than with placebo. Additional Phase III trials have been completed in Europe in this indication. Sanvar can be stored at room temperature, an advantage over other products requiring refrigeration, allowing immediate administration, a key benefit in a life-threatening situation. The product has been granted orphan drug status in the U.S., where there is currently no FDA approved treatment for this indication.
Vapreotide (Sanvar) is a synthetic somatostatin analog. It is used in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic liver disease and AIDS-related diarrhea.
It is an 8 residue peptide with sequence H-D-Phe-Cys(1)-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys(1)-Trp-NH2.
