Delivery of dry formulations of octreotide

1. A method of delivering octreotide to a subject with a substantially zero-order release profile over an extended period of time, but no less than about six months, the method comprising subcutaneously implanting in the subject at least one implantable device, wherein the at least one implantable device comprises a composition comprising octreotide and hydroxpropylcellulose, wherein the composition is encased in a hydrophilic polymer comprising a co-polymer obtained from the co-polymerization of a mixture comprising at least two hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and wherein the implantable device is implanted in a dry state, such that the subject receives on a daily basis over a period of at least about six months dose amounts of octreotide, which are effective to treat the subject.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomers is a methacrylate-based monomer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the octreotide is in free form, salt form or in the form of a complex thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the octreotide is octreotide acetate.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is afflicted with a GH or IGF-1 hormone disorder or its symptoms.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the GH or IGF-1 disorder is acromegaly.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject receives octreotide at an average rate ranging from about 75 μg per day to about 300 μg per day over a period of at least about six months.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose amounts of octreotide received by the subject result in octreotide serum levels ranging from about 0.5 ng/ml to about 2 ng/ml.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject receives an effective amount of octreotide for a period of at least about twelve months.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose amounts of octreotide received by the subject result in octreotide serum levels ranging from about 0.8 ng/ml to about 1.8 ng/ml.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose amounts of octreotide received by the subject result in C max for octreotide serum levels below about 1.3 ng/ml.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dose amounts of octreotide received by the subject result in C max for octreotide serum levels below about 1.0 ng/ml.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein release of octreotide occurs at least three to about ten days after implantation.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is afflicted with a condition selected from the group consisting of: carcinoid syndrome, VIPomas, neuroendocrine tumors, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, rosacea, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatic and intestinal fistulas, Graves-Basedow opthalmopathy, glaucoma, and symptoms associated with chemotherapy or AIDS.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein said hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomers are selected from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxypropyl methacrylate monomers.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein said copolymer comprises about 20% of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and about 80% hydroxypropyl methacrylate.

17. A method of delivering octreotide to a subject with a substantially zero-order release profile over an extended period of time, but no less than about six months, the method comprising subcutaneously implanting in the subject at least one implantable device, wherein the at least one implantable device comprises a composition comprising hydroxpropylcellulose and from about 20 to about 150 mg of octreotide, in free form or salt form, wherein the composition is encased in a hydrophilic polymer comprising a co-polymer obtained from the co-polymerization of a mixture comprising at least two hydrophilic, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and wherein the implantable device is implanted in a dry state, such that the subject receives on a daily basis over a period of at least about six months dose amounts of octreotide, which are effective to treat the subject.