Rats were treated for 5 days with continuous intravenous infusion of different doses of secretin and Thr28Nle31CCK25-33 (CCK-LP) alone and combined. The trophic effect on the pancreas was evaluated by means of pancreatic weight and contents of DNA, RNA, and protein. The acute effects on pancreatic protein secretion were studied in anesthetized rats. The findings generally confirmed the trophic effects of secretin and CCK-like peptides on the pancreas. No convincing evidence of potentiation was found between small doses of secretin and CCK-LP for either pancreatic growth or protein secretion. The maximal dose of CCK-LP was the same for pancreatic growth and for protein secretion (2.5 micrograms/kg-h). Potentiation was demonstrated between secretin and the maximal dose of CCK-LP for protein secretion. The maximal effect of CCK-LP on pancreatic growth, however, was not enhanced by secretin.

Secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) have trophic effects on the pancreas and may therefore have a place in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The present study was performed to examine whether these hormones may cause harm in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving cytostatics. The cytostatics were 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, and mitomycin C(FAM). Secretin plus Thr28Nle31CCK25-33, in doses stimulating pancreatic secretion to about 60% of maximal, were given as a continuous 6-day intravenous infusion just before (four patients) or immediately after (five patients) starting treatment with FAM. Five patients received FAM only. When considering symptoms, laboratory findings, abdominal CT scans, and survival, no evidence was found that secretin and CCK may cause serious or unpleasant side effects in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving cytostatics.