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Asmundo L, Rizzetto F, Blake M, Anderson M, Mojtahed A, Bradley W, Shenoy-Bhangle A, Fernandez-del Castillo C, Qadan M, Ferrone C, Clark J, Ambrosini V, Picchio M, Mapelli P, Evangelista L, Leithner D, Nikolaou K, Ursprung S, Fanti S, Vanzulli A, Catalano OA. Advancements in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Imaging and Future Frontiers. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3281. [PMID: 38892992 PMCID: PMC11172657 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a diverse group of tumors with varying clinical behaviors. Their incidence has risen due to increased awareness, improved diagnostics, and aging populations. The 2019 World Health Organization classification emphasizes integrating radiology and histopathology to characterize NENs and create personalized treatment plans. Imaging methods like CT, MRI, and PET/CT are crucial for detection, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring, but each of them poses different interpretative challenges and none are immune to pitfalls. Treatment options include surgery, targeted therapies, and chemotherapy, based on the tumor type, stage, and patient-specific factors. This review aims to provide insights into the latest developments and challenges in NEN imaging, diagnosis, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Asmundo
- Postgraduation School in Radiodiagnostics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Francesco Rizzetto
- Postgraduation School in Radiodiagnostics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Radiology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, Italy;
| | - Michael Blake
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Mark Anderson
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Amirkasra Mojtahed
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - William Bradley
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Anuradha Shenoy-Bhangle
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (C.F.-d.C.); (M.Q.)
| | - Motaz Qadan
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (C.F.-d.C.); (M.Q.)
| | - Cristina Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
| | - Jeffrey Clark
- Department of Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (S.F.)
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Picchio
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Paola Mapelli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.P.); (P.M.)
| | - Laura Evangelista
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Doris Leithner
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
| | - Konstantin Nikolaou
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstraße 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (K.N.); (S.U.)
| | - Stephan Ursprung
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Osianderstraße 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (K.N.); (S.U.)
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (S.F.)
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Angelo Vanzulli
- Department of Radiology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Onofrio Antonio Catalano
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (M.B.); (M.A.); (A.M.); (W.B.); (A.S.-B.)
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Santoro-Fernandes V, Schott B, Deatsch A, Keigley Q, Francken T, Iyer R, Fountzilas C, Perlman S, Jeraj R. Models using comprehensive, lesion-level, longitudinal [ 68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET-derived features lead to superior outcome prediction in neuroendocrine tumor patients treated with [ 177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024:10.1007/s00259-024-06767-x. [PMID: 38795121 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06767-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) imaging features are predictive of treatment outcome for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients receiving peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, comprehensive (all metastatic lesions), longitudinal (temporal variation), and lesion-level measured features have never been explored. Such features allow for capturing the heterogeneity in disease response to treatment. Furthermore, models combining these features are lacking. In this work we evaluated the predictive power of comprehensive, longitudinal, lesion-level 68GA-SSTR-PET features combined with a multivariate linear regression (MLR) model. METHODS This retrospective study enrolled NET patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and imaged with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE at baseline and post-therapy. All lesions were segmented, anatomically labeled, and longitudinally matched. Lesion-level uptake and variation in uptake were measured. Patient-level features were engineered and selected for modeling of progression-free survival (PFS). The model was validated via concordance index, patient classification (ROC analysis), and survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards). The MLR was benchmarked against single feature predictions. RESULTS Thirty-six NET patients were enrolled and stratified into poor and good responders (PFS ≥ 25 months). Four patient-level features were selected, the MLR concordance index was 0.826, and the AUC was 0.88 (0.85 specificity, 0.81 sensitivity). Survival analysis led to significant patient stratification (p<.001) and hazard ratio (3⨯10-5). Lastly, in a benchmark study, the MLR modeling approach outperformed all the single feature predictors. CONCLUSION Comprehensive, lesion-level, longitudinal 68GA-SSTR-PET analysis, combined with MLR modeling, leads to excellent predictions of PRRT outcome in NET patients, outperforming non-comprehensive, patient-level, and single time-point feature predictions. MESSAGE Neuroendocrine tumor, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, Somatostatin Receptor Imaging, Outcome Prediction, Treatment Response Assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Santoro-Fernandes
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Brayden Schott
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ali Deatsch
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Quinton Keigley
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Thomas Francken
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Renuka Iyer
- Division of GI Medicine, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Christos Fountzilas
- Division of GI Medicine, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Scott Perlman
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Carbone Cancer Centre, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Robert Jeraj
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Carbone Cancer Centre, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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Di Franco M, Zanoni L, Fortunati E, Fanti S, Ambrosini V. Radionuclide Theranostics in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: An Update. Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:538-550. [PMID: 38581469 PMCID: PMC11063107 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01526-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper aims to address the latest findings in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) theranostics, focusing on new evidence and future directions of combined diagnosis with positron emission tomography (PET) and treatment with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). RECENT FINDINGS Following NETTER-1 trial, PRRT with [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE was approved by FDA and EMA and is routinely employed in advanced G1 and G2 SST (somatostatin receptor)-expressing NET. Different approaches have been proposed so far to improve the PRRT therapeutic index, encompassing re-treatment protocols, combinations with other therapies and novel indications. Molecular imaging holds a potential added value in characterizing disease biology and heterogeneity using different radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., SST and FDG) and may provide predictive and prognostic parameters. Response assessment criteria are still an unmet need and new theranostic pairs showed preliminary encouraging results. PRRT for NET has become a paradigm of modern theranostics. PRRT holds a favorable toxicity profile, and it is associated with a prolonged time to progression, reduction of symptoms, and improved patients' quality of life. In light of further optimization, different new strategies have been investigated, along with the development of new radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Di Franco
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Lucia Zanoni
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emilia Fortunati
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Ambrosini V, Fortunati E, Fanti S, Ursprung S, Asmundo L, O'Shea A, Kako B, Lee S, Furtado FS, Blake M, Goiffon RJ, Najmi Z, Hesami M, Murakami T, Domachevsky L, Catalano OA. State-of-the-Art Hybrid Imaging of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2024:00004728-990000000-00299. [PMID: 38518197 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) may be challenging to diagnose due to their small size and diverse anatomical locations. Hybrid imaging techniques, specifically positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI), represent the current state-of-the-art for evaluating NENs. The preferred radiopharmaceuticals for NEN PET imaging are gallium-68 (68Ga) DOTA-peptides, which target somatostatin receptors (SSTR) overexpressed on NEN cells. Clinical applications of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-peptides PET/CT include diagnosis, staging, prognosis assessment, treatment selection, and response evaluation. Fluorodeoxyglucose-18 (18F-FDG) PET/CT aids in detecting low-SSTR-expressing lesions and helps in patient stratification and treatment planning, particularly in grade 3 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). New radiopharmaceuticals such as fluorine-labeled SSTR agonists and SSTR antagonists are emerging as alternatives to 68Ga-labeled peptides, offering improved detection rates and favorable biodistribution. The maturing of PET/MRI brings advantages to NEN imaging, including simultaneous acquisition of PET and MRI images, superior soft tissue contrast resolution, and motion correction capabilities. The PET/MRI with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-peptides has demonstrated higher lesion detection rates and more accurate lesion classification compared to PET/CT. Overall, hybrid imaging offers valuable insights in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of NENs. Further research is needed to refine response assessment criteria and standardize reporting guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilia Fortunati
- From the Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna
| | | | | | | | - Aileen O'Shea
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Bashar Kako
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Susanna Lee
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Felipe S Furtado
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael Blake
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Reece J Goiffon
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Zahra Najmi
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mina Hesami
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Takaaki Murakami
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Liran Domachevsky
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Onofrio A Catalano
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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5
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Hotta M, Sonni I, Thin P, Nguyen K, Gardner L, Ciuca L, Hayrapetian A, Lewis M, Lubin D, Allen-Auerbach M. Visual and whole-body quantitative analyses of 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for prognosis of outcome after PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE. Ann Nucl Med 2024; 38:296-304. [PMID: 38252228 DOI: 10.1007/s12149-023-01899-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatostatin receptors (SSTR) represent an ideal target for nuclear theranostics applications in neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Studies suggest that high uptake on SSTR-PET is associated with response to SSTR peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of baseline whole-body (WB) 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT (SSTR-PET) quantitative parameters, and the presence of NET lesions without uptake on SSTR-PET, as outcome prognosticator in patients with NET treated with PRRT. METHODS Patients with NET who underwent at least 4 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT cycles between 07/2016 and 03/2021 were included in this retrospective analysis if they fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: SSTR-PET within 6 months of 1st PRRT cycle, follow-up CT and/or MRI performed > 6 months after the 4th cycle of PRRT. The SSTR-PET analysis consisted of a visual and a quantitative analysis done independently by two board-certified physicians. The visual analysis assessed the presence of NET lesions visible on the SSTR-PET co-registered CT. The quantitative analysis consisted in contouring all SSTR-avid lesions on SSTR-PET and extracting WB quantitative parameters: SUVmean (WB-SUVmean), SUVmax of the lesion with highest uptake (H-SUVmax), and tumor volume (WB-TV). WB-SSTR-PET parameters and the presence of SSTR-PET-negative lesions were correlated to radiologic response (assessed by RECIST 1.1 criteria) and progression-free survival (PFS). Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney's U test and Kaplan-Meier curves with Cox-regression analysis were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS Forty patients (F/M: 21/19; 34/40 with gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) NET, 6/40 with non-GEP NET) were included in the analysis. The median follow-up period after the 4th PRRT cycle was 25.7 months (range 15.2-59.1). Fourteen/40 (35%) patients showed radiologic response (RECIST PR). PFS event was observed in 17/40 (42.5%) patients. Thirteen/40 (32.5%) patients had SSTR-PET-negative lesions at baseline. Higher WB-SUVmean and H-SUVmax were associated with better response (p = 0.015 and 0.005, respectively). The presence of SSTR-PET-negative lesions and lower WB-SUVmean were associated with shorter PFS (p = 0.026 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION Visual and quantitative analyses of baseline SSTR-PET can yield valuable information to prognosticate outcomes after 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Hotta
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ida Sonni
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pan Thin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen Nguyen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linda Gardner
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liliana Ciuca
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Artineh Hayrapetian
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology at, University of South Alabama Hospital, Mobile, South AL, USA
| | - Meredith Lewis
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - David Lubin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, SUNY Upstate, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Martin Allen-Auerbach
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Bonazzi N, Fortunati E, Zanoni L, Argalia G, Calabrò D, Tabacchi E, Allegri V, Campana D, Andrini E, Lamberti G, Di Franco M, Casadei R, Ricci C, Mosconi C, Fanti S, Ambrosini V. Real-Life Use of [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in Confirmed and Suspected NETs from a Prospective 5-Year Electronic Archive at an ENETS Center of Excellence: More Than 2000 Scans in More Than 1500 Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:701. [PMID: 38398092 PMCID: PMC10886517 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent introduction of novel treatments for advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and the well-established impact of clinical case discussion within dedicated multidisciplinary teams indicates the need to promote the centralization of rare diseases, such as NENs (neuroendocrine neoplasms). Data on the real-life use of and indications for [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT were collected from a prospective monocentric 5-year electronic archive including consecutive patients with confirmed and suspected NETs (September 2017 to May 2022). Overall, 2082 [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scans (1685 confirmed NETs, 397 suspected NETs) were performed in 1537 patients. A high positivity rate was observed across different clinical settings (approximately 70%). Approximately 910/2082 scans were requested by the local oncology ward (851 confirmed NETs, 59 suspected NETs). The following observations were found: (i) the detection rate across all indications was 73.2% (higher for staging, peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) selection, and treatment response assessment); (ii) in suspected NETs, PET was more often positive when based on radiological findings. This systematic data collection in a high-volume diagnostic center represents a reliable cohort reflecting the global trends in the use of [68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for different clinical indications and primary tumor sites, but prompts the need for further multicenter data sharing in such a rare and slowly progressive disease setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Bonazzi
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
| | - Emilia Fortunati
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Lucia Zanoni
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Giulia Argalia
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
| | - Diletta Calabrò
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
| | - Elena Tabacchi
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Vincenzo Allegri
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Davide Campana
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (E.A.); (G.L.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Elisa Andrini
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (E.A.); (G.L.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Medical Oncology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (E.A.); (G.L.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Martina Di Franco
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
| | - Riccardo Casadei
- Department of Internal Medicine and Surgery (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (R.C.); (C.R.)
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Ricci
- Department of Internal Medicine and Surgery (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (R.C.); (C.R.)
- Division of Pancreatic Surgery, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Mosconi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
| | - Valentina Ambrosini
- Nuclear Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (G.A.); (D.C.); (M.D.F.); (S.F.); (V.A.)
- Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.F.); (L.Z.); (E.T.); (V.A.)
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7
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Sedlack AJH, Meyer C, Mench A, Winters C, Barbon D, Obrzut S, Mallak N. Essentials of Theranostics: A Guide for Physicians and Medical Physicists. Radiographics 2024; 44:e230097. [PMID: 38060426 DOI: 10.1148/rg.230097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPTs) are gaining increased interest with the recent emergence of novel safe and effective theranostic agents, improving outcomes for thousands of patients. The term theranostics refers to the use of diagnostic and therapeutic agents that share the same molecular target; a major step toward precision medicine, especially for oncologic applications. The authors dissect the fundamentals of theranostics in nuclear medicine. First, they explain the radioactive decay schemes and the characteristics of emitted electromagnetic radiation used for imaging, as well as particles used for therapeutic purposes, followed by the interaction of the different types of radiation with tissue. These concepts directly apply to clinical RPTs and play a major role in the efficacy and toxicity profile of different radiopharmaceutical agents. Personalized dosimetry is a powerful tool that can help estimate patient-specific absorbed doses, in tumors as well as normal organs. Dosimetry in RPT is an area of active investigation, as most of what we know about the relationship between delivered dose and tissue damage is extrapolated from external-beam radiation therapy; more research is needed to understand this relationship as it pertains to RPTs. Tumor heterogeneity is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor. Novel molecular imaging agents, often in combination with fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose, are crucial for assessment of target expression in the tumor and potential hypermetabolic disease that may lack the molecular target expression. ©RSNA, 2023 Test Your Knowledge questions are available in the supplemental material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J H Sedlack
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Catherine Meyer
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Anna Mench
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Celeste Winters
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Dennis Barbon
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Sebastian Obrzut
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
| | - Nadine Mallak
- From the Medical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill (A.J.H.S.); and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L340, Portland, OR 97239-3098 (C.M., A.M., C.W., D.B., S.O., N.M.)
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8
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Mourtada F, Tomiyoshi K, Sims-Mourtada J, Mukai-Sasaki Y, Yagihashi T, Namiki Y, Murai T, Yang DJ, Inoue T. Actinium-225 Targeted Agents: Where Are We Now? Brachytherapy 2023; 22:697-708. [PMID: 37690972 PMCID: PMC10840862 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2023.06.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
α-particle targeted radionuclide therapy has shown promise for optimal cancer management, an exciting new era for brachytherapy. Alpha-emitting nuclides can have significant advantages over gamma- and beta-emitters due to their high linear energy transfer (LET). While their limited path length results in more specific tumor 0kill with less damage to surrounding normal tissues, their high LET can produce substantially more lethal double strand DNA breaks per radiation track than beta particles. Over the last decade, the physical and chemical attributes of Actinium-225 (225Ac) including its half-life, decay schemes, path length, and straightforward chelation ability has peaked interest for brachytherapy agent development. However, this has been met with challenges including source availability, accurate modeling for standardized dosimetry for brachytherapy treatment planning, and laboratory space allocation in the hospital setting for on-demand radiopharmaceuticals production. Current evidence suggests that a simple empirical approach based on 225Ac administered radioactivity may lead to inconsistent outcomes and toxicity. In this review article, we highlight the recent advances in 225Ac source production, dosimetry modeling, and current clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Mourtada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
| | - Katsumi Tomiyoshi
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Mukai-Sasaki
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Takayuki Yagihashi
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
| | - Yuta Namiki
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
| | - Taro Murai
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
| | - David J Yang
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
| | - Tomio Inoue
- Advanced Medical Center, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan
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9
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Halfdanarson TR, Mallak N, Paulson S, Chandrasekharan C, Natwa M, Kendi AT, Kennecke HF. Monitoring and Surveillance of Patients with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Undergoing Radioligand Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4836. [PMID: 37835530 PMCID: PMC10571645 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Radioligand therapy (RLT) with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE is a standard of care for adult patients with somatostatin-receptor (SSTR)-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Taking advantage of this precision nuclear medicine approach requires diligent monitoring and surveillance, from the use of diagnostic SSTR-targeted radioligand imaging for the selection of patients through treatment and assessments of response. Published evidence-based guidelines assist the multidisciplinary healthcare team by providing acceptable approaches to care; however, the sheer heterogeneity of GEP-NETs can make these frameworks difficult to apply in individual clinical circumstances. There are also contradictions in the literature regarding the utility of novel approaches in monitoring and surveilling patients with GEP-NETs receiving RLT. This article discusses the emerging evidence on imaging, clinical biochemistry, and tumor assessment criteria in the management of patients receiving RLT for GEP-NETs; additionally, it documents our own best practices. This allows us to offer practical guidance on how to effectively implement monitoring and surveillance measures to aid patient-tailored clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadine Mallak
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
| | | | | | - Mona Natwa
- Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
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10
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Varghese DG, Del Rivero J, Bergsland E. Grade Progression and Intrapatient Tumor Heterogeneity as Potential Contributors to Resistance in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3712. [PMID: 37509373 PMCID: PMC10378410 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogenous group of tumors that are incurable when metastatic, regardless of grade. The aim of this article is to understand tumor heterogeneity and grade progression as possible contributors to drug resistance in gastroentropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Heterogeneity has been observed in the genetic, pathological, and imaging features of these tumors at baseline. Diagnostic challenges related to tumor sampling and the potential for changes in grade over time further confound our ability to optimize therapy for patients. A better understanding of NEN biology and tumor heterogeneity at baseline and over time could lead to the development of new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Grace Varghese
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 94158, USA
| | - Jaydira Del Rivero
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 94158, USA
| | - Emily Bergsland
- UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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11
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Weber M, Telli T, Kersting D, Seifert R. Prognostic Implications of PET-Derived Tumor Volume and Uptake in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3581. [PMID: 37509242 PMCID: PMC10377105 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Historically, molecular imaging of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) was performed using SSTR scintigraphy (SRS). Sustained advances in medical imaging have led to its gradual replacement with SSTR positron-emission tomography (SSTR-PET). The higher sensitivity in comparison to SRS on the one hand and conventional cross-sectional imaging, on the other hand, enables more accurate staging and allows for image quantification. In addition, in recent years, a growing body of evidence has assessed the prognostic implications of SSTR-PET-derived prognostic biomarkers for NET patients, with the aim of risk stratification, outcome prognostication, and prediction of response to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. In this narrative review, we give an overview of studies examining the prognostic value of advanced SSTR-PET-derived (semi-)quantitative metrics like tumor volume, uptake, and composite metrics. Complementing this analysis, a discussion of the current trends, clinical implications, and future directions is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Weber
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tugce Telli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - David Kersting
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Robert Seifert
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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12
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Bourdeleau P, Couvelard A, Ronot M, Lebtahi R, Hentic O, Ruszniewski P, Cros J, de Mestier L. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of digestive neuroendocrine neoplasms. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2023; 15:17588359231179310. [PMID: 37323185 PMCID: PMC10262621 DOI: 10.1177/17588359231179310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are initially monoclonal neoplasms that progressively become polyclonal, with very different genotypic and phenotypic characteristics leading to biological differences, including the Ki-67 proliferation index, morphology, or sensitivity to treatments. Whereas inter-patient heterogeneity has been well described, intra-tumor heterogeneity has been little studied. However, NENs present a high degree of heterogeneity, both spatially within the same location or between different lesions, and through time. This can be explained by the emergence of tumor subclones with different behaviors. These subpopulations can be distinguished by the Ki-67 index, but also by the expression of hormonal markers or by differences in the intensity of uptake on metabolic imaging, such as 68Ga-somatostatin receptor and Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. As these features are directly related to prognosis, it seems mandatory to move toward a standardized, improved selection of the tumor areas to be studied to be as predictive as possible. The temporal evolution of NENs frequently leads to changes in tumor grade over time, with impact on prognosis and therapeutic decision-making. However, there is no recommendation regarding systematic biopsy of NEN recurrence or progression, and which lesion to sample. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge, the main hypotheses, and the main implications regarding intra-tumor spatial and temporal heterogeneity in digestive NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bourdeleau
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Anne Couvelard
- Department of Pathology, Beaujon/Bichat Hospitals (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy/Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France, and Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Rachida Lebtahi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Olivia Hentic
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
| | - Philippe Ruszniewski
- Department of Pancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Beaujon Hospital (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Cros
- Department of Pathology, Beaujon/Bichat Hospitals (APHP.Nord), Université Paris-Cité, Clichy/Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche sur l’Inflammation, INSERM UMR1149, FHU MOSAIC, Paris, France
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13
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Kandathil A, Subramaniam RM. Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Diagnosis: DOTATATE PET/CT. PET Clin 2023; 18:189-200. [PMID: 36585339 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(NETs), which arise from the small intestine, rectum, colon, appendix, or pancreas, have variable malignant potential with clinical behavior determined by proliferative activity according to the Ki-67 index and tumor differentiation. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression by NETs allows SSTR imaging using 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/computed tomography (CT) and treatment with octreotide or SSTR-targeted peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is indicated for localization of the primary tumor in select cases, staging patients with known NET, and selecting patients for PRRT. NCCN guidelines consider imaging with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT appropriate for staging and receptor status assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha Kandathil
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9316, USA.
| | - Rathan M Subramaniam
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 2301 Erwin Road Box 3808, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, First Floor, Dunedin Hospital, 201 Great King Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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14
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Reccia I, Pai M, Kumar J, Spalding D, Frilling A. Tumour Heterogeneity and the Consequent Practical Challenges in the Management of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1861. [PMID: 36980746 PMCID: PMC10047148 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour heterogeneity is a common phenomenon in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and a significant cause of treatment failure and disease progression. Genetic and epigenetic instability, along with proliferation of cancer stem cells and alterations in the tumour microenvironment, manifest as intra-tumoural variability in tumour biology in primary tumours and metastases. This may change over time, especially under selective pressure during treatment. The gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tract is the most common site for NENs, and their diagnosis and treatment depends on the specific characteristics of the disease, in particular proliferation activity, expression of somatostatin receptors and grading. Somatostatin receptor expression has a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NENs, while Ki-67 is also a valuable prognostic marker. Intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity in GEP-NENS, however, may lead to inaccurate assessment of the disease and affect the reliability of the available diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tests. In this review, we summarise the current available evidence of the impact of tumour heterogeneity on tumour diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NENs. Understanding and accurately measuring tumour heterogeneity could better inform clinical decision making in NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Reccia
- General Surgical and Oncology Unit, Policlinico San Pietro, Via Carlo Forlanini, 24036 Ponte San Pietro, Italy
| | - Madhava Pai
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Jayant Kumar
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Duncan Spalding
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Andrea Frilling
- Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS, UK
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15
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Hope TA, Allen-Auerbach M, Bodei L, Calais J, Dahlbom M, Dunnwald LK, Graham MM, Jacene HA, Heath CL, Mittra ES, Wright CL, Fendler WP, Herrmann K, Taïeb D, Kjaer A. SNMMI Procedure Standard/EANM Practice Guideline for SSTR PET: Imaging Neuroendocrine Tumors. J Nucl Med 2023; 64:204-210. [PMID: 36725249 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.122.264860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Hope
- Department of Radiology, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California; .,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Martin Allen-Auerbach
- Ahmanson Translational Theranostics Division, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lisa Bodei
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Jeremie Calais
- Ahmanson Translational Theranostics Division, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Magnus Dahlbom
- Ahmanson Translational Theranostics Division, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lisa K Dunnwald
- Department of Radiology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Michael M Graham
- Department of Radiology, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Heather A Jacene
- Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Courtney Lawhn Heath
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Erik S Mittra
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Chadwick L Wright
- Wright Center of Innovation and Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Wolfgang P Fendler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - David Taïeb
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, La Timone University Hospital, CERIMED, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; and
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine & PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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16
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Laferriere-Holloway TS, Rios A, Lu Y, Okoro CC, van Dam RM. A rapid and systematic approach for the optimization of radio thin-layer chromatography resolution. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1687:463656. [PMID: 36463649 PMCID: PMC9894532 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Radiopharmaceutical analysis is limited by conventional methods. Radio-HPLC may be inaccurate for some compounds (e.g., 18F-radiopharmaceuticals) due to radionuclide sequester. Radio-TLC is simpler, faster, and detects all species but has limited resolution. Imaging-based readout of TLC plates (e.g., using Cerenkov luminescence imaging) can improve readout resolution, but the underlying chromatographic separation efficiency may be insufficient to resolve chemically similar species such as product and precursor-derived impurities. This study applies a systematic mobile phase optimization method, PRISMA, to improve radio-TLC resolution. The PRISMA method optimizes the mobile phase by selecting the correct solvent, optimizing solvent polarity, and optimizing composition. Without prior knowledge of impurities and by simply observing the separation resolution between a radiopharmaceutical and its nearest radioactive or non-radioactive impurities (observed via UV imaging) for different mobile phases, the PRISMA method enabled the development of high-resolution separation conditions for a wide range of 18F-radiopharmaceuticals ( [18F]PBR-06, [18F]FEPPA, [18F]Fallypride, [18F]FPEB, and [18F]FDOPA). Each optimization required a single batch of crude radiopharmaceutical and a few hours. Interestingly, the optimized TLC method provided greater accuracy (compared to other published TLC methods) in determining the product abundance of one radiopharmaceutical studied in more depth ( [18F]Fallypride) and was capable of resolving a comparable number of species as isocratic radio-HPLC. We used the PRISMA-optimized mobile phase for [18F]FPEB in combination with multi-lane radio-TLC techniques to evaluate reaction performance during high-throughput synthesis optimization of [18F]FPEB. The PRISMA methodology, in combination with high-resolution radio-TLC readout, enables a rapid and systematic approach to achieving high-resolution and accurate analysis of radiopharmaceuticals without the need for radio-HPLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis S Laferriere-Holloway
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Alejandra Rios
- Physics and Biology in Medicine Interdepartmental Graduate Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yingqing Lu
- Physics and Biology in Medicine Interdepartmental Graduate Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chelsea C Okoro
- Institute for Society and Genetics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - R Michael van Dam
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Physics and Biology in Medicine Interdepartmental Graduate Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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17
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Angelousi A, Koumarianou A, Chatzellis E, Kaltsas G. Resistance of neuroendocrine tumours to somatostatin analogs. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2023; 18:33-52. [PMID: 36651768 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2166488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A common feature shared by most neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is the expression on their surface of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) that are essential for their pathophysiological regulation, diagnosis, and management. The first-generation synthetic somatostatin analogs (SSAs), octreotide and lanreotide, constitute the cornerstone of treatment for growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas and functioning, progressive functioning, and non-functioning gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP-NETs). SSAs exert their mechanism of action through binding to the SSTRs; however, their therapeutic response is frequently attenuated or diminished by the development of resistance. The phenomenon of resistance is complex implicating the presence of additional epigenetic and genetic mechanisms. AREAS COVERED We aim to analyze the molecular, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms of resistance to SSA treatment. We also summarize recent clinical data related to the development of resistance on conventional and non-conventional modes of administration of the first-generation SSAs and the second-generation SSA pasireotide. We explore mechanisms used to counteract the resistance to SSAs using higher doses or more frequent mode of administration of SSAs and/or combination treatments. EXPERT OPINION There is considerable heterogeneity in the development of resistance to SSAs that is tumor-specific necessitating the delineation of the underlying pathophysiological processes to further expand their therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Angelousi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology, Laikon General hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Koumarianou
- Hematology Oncology Unit, Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Chatzellis
- Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism Department, 251 Hellenic Air Force and VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Gregory Kaltsas
- First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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18
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Veenstra EB, Brouwers AH, de Groot DJA, Hofland J, Walenkamp AME, Brabander T, Zandee WT, Noordzij W. Comparison of [18F]DOPA and [68Ga]DOTA-TOC as a PET imaging tracer before peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Eur J Hybrid Imaging 2022; 6:12. [PMID: 35701566 PMCID: PMC9198185 DOI: 10.1186/s41824-022-00133-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), confirmation of somatostatin receptor expression with 68Ga-DOTA somatostatin analogues is mandatory to determine eligibility for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). [18F]DOPA can detect additional lesions compared to [68Ga]DOTA-TOC. The aim of this study was to explore differences in tumour detection of both tracers and their relevance for selecting patients for PRRT. We retrospectively studied eight patients with NENs who underwent both [68Ga]DOTA-TOC and carbidopa-enhanced [18F]DOPA PET/CT, before first-time PRRT with [177Lu]DOTA-TATE. Tracer order was influenced due to stock availability or to detect suspected metastases with a second tracer. On CT, disease control was defined as a lesion showing complete response, partial response, or stable disease, according to RECIST 1.1. criteria.
Results
Seven patients with in total 89 lesions completed four infusions of 7.4 GBq [177Lu]DOTA-TATE, one patient received only two cycles. Before treatment, [18F]DOPA PET/CT detected significantly more lesions than [68Ga]DOTA-TOC PET/CT (79 vs. 62, p < .001). After treatment, no difference in number of lesions with disease control was found for [18F]DOPA-only (5/27) and [68Ga]DOTA-TOC-only lesions (4/10, p = .25). [18F]DOPA detected more liver metastases (24/27) compared to [68Ga]DOTA-TOC (7/10, p = .006). Six patients showed inpatient heterogeneity in treatment response between [18F]DOPA-only and [68Ga]DOTA-TOC-only lesions.
Conclusions
Response to PRRT with [177Lu]DOTA-TATE was comparable for both [68Ga]DOTA-TOC- and [18F]DOPA-only NEN lesions. [18F]DOPA may be capable of predicting response to PRRT while finding more lesions compared to [68Ga]DOTA-TOC, although these additional lesions are often small of size and undetected by diagnostic CT.
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Glucose Metabolism Modification Induced by Radioligand Therapy with [ 177Lu]Lu/[ 90Y]Y-DOTATOC in Advanced Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Prospective Pilot Study within FENET-2016 Trial. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102009. [PMID: 36297443 PMCID: PMC9612170 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[18F]F-FDG (FDG) PET is emerging as a relevant diagnostic and prognostic tool in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), as a simultaneous decrease in [68Ga]Ga-DOTA peptides and increase in FDG uptake (the “flip-flop” phenomenon) occurs during the natural history of these tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations on FDG PET in NEN patients treated with two different schemes of radioligand therapy (RLT) and to correlate them with clinical−pathologic variables. A prospective evaluation of 108 lesions in 56 patients (33 males and 23 females; median age, 64.5 years) affected by NENs of various primary origins (28 pancreatic, 13 gastrointestinal, 9 bronchial, 6 unknown primary (CUP-NENs) and 1 pheochromocytoma) and grades (median Ki-67 = 9%) was performed. The patients were treated with RLT within the phase II clinical trial FENET-2016 (CTID: NCT04790708). RLT was offered for 32 patients with the MONO scheme (five cycles of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATOC) and for 24 with the DUO scheme (three cycles of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATOC alternated with two cycles of [90Y]Y-DOTATOC). Variations in terms of the ΔSUVmax of a maximum of three target lesions per patient (58 for MONO and 50 for DUO RLT) were assessed between baseline and 3 months post-RLT FDG PET. In patients with negative baseline FDG PET, the three most relevant lesions on [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-peptide PET were assessed and matched on post-RLT FDG PET, to check for any possible changes in FDG avidity. Thirty-five patients (62.5%) had at least one pathological FDG uptake at the baseline scans, but the number was reduced to 29 (52%) after RLT. In the patients treated with DUO-scheme RLT, 20 out of 50 lesions were FDG positive before therapy, whereas only 14 were confirmed after RLT (p = 0.03). Moreover, none of the 30 FDG-negative lesions showed an increased FDG uptake after RLT. The lesions of patients with pancreatic and CUP-NENs treated with the DUO scheme demonstrated a significant reduction in ΔSUVmax in comparison to those treated with MONO RLT (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). Moreover, we found a mild positive correlation between the grading and ΔSUVmax in patients treated with the MONO scheme (r = 0.39, p < 0.02), while no evidence was detected for patients treated with the DUO scheme. Our results suggest that RLT, mostly with the DUO scheme, could be effective in changing NEN lesions’ glycometabolism, in particular, in patients affected by pancreatic and CUP-NENs, regardless of their Ki-67 index. Probably, associating [90Y]Y-labelled peptides, which have high energy emission and a crossfire effect, and [177Lu]Lu ones, characterized by a longer half-life and a safer profile for organs at risk, might represent a valid option in FDG-positive NENs addressed to RLT. Further studies are needed to validate our preliminary findings. In our opinion, FDG PET/CT should represent a potent tool for fully assessing a patient’s disease characteristics, both before and after RLT.
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Functional Investigation of the Tumoural Heterogeneity of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by In Vivo PET-CT Navigation: A Proof-of-Concept Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185451. [PMID: 36143097 PMCID: PMC9501620 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumoural heterogeneity (IH) is a major determinant of resistance to therapy and outcomes but remains poorly translated into clinical practice. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) often presents as large heterogeneous masses at imaging. The present study proposed an innovative in vivo technique to functionally assess the IH of ICC. Preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT and intraoperative ultrasonography were merged to perform the intraoperative navigation of functional tumour heterogeneity. The tumour areas with the highest and the lowest metabolism (SUV) at PET-CT were selected, identified during surgery, and sampled. Three consecutive patients underwent the procedure. The areas with the highest uptake at PET-CT had higher proliferation index (KI67) values and higher immune infiltration compared to areas with the lowest uptake. One of the patients showed a heterogeneous presence of FGFR2 translocation within the samples. Tumour heterogeneity at PET-CT may drive biopsy to sample the most informative ICC areas. Even more relevant, these preliminary data show the possibility of achieving a non-invasive evaluation of IH in ICC, paving the way for an imaging-based precision-medicine approach.
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21
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Lee ONY, Tan KV, Tripathi V, Yuan H, Chan WWL, Chiu KWH. The Role of 68 Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT in the Management and Prediction of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy Response for Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Nucl Med 2022; 47:781-793. [PMID: 35485851 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000004235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the role of 68 Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analog (SSA) PET/CT in guiding treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) based on published literature, with specific focus on the ability of PET/CT to impact clinical management and predict peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) response. PATIENTS AND METHODS A systematic literature search of articles up to December 2021 was performed using PubMed and Scopus. Eligible studies included ≥10 patients with confirmed or suspected NETs who had undergone pretreatment staging 68 Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT. A meta-analysis using the random-effects model was conducted to determine the overall change in management after PET/CT, whereas PET/CT-derived parameters that correlated with PRRT outcome were summarized from studies that assessed its predictive capabilities. RESULTS A total of 39 studies were included in this systemic review, of which 2266 patients from 24 studies were included for meta-analysis. We showed that PET/CT resulted in a change in clinical management in 36% (95% confidence interval, 31%-41%; range, 3%-66%) of patients. Fifteen studies consisting of 618 patients examined the prognostic ability of 68 Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT for PRRT. Of those, 8 studies identified a higher pretreatment SUV to favor PRRT, and 4 identified PET-based radiomic features for somatostatin receptor heterogeneity to be predictive of PRRT response. CONCLUSIONS Along with its diagnostic abilities, 68 Ga-DOTA-SSA PET/CT can impact treatment decision-making and may predict PRRT response in patients with NETs. More robust studies should be conducted to better elucidate the prognostic role of somatostatin receptor PET/CT in optimizing treatment for clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osher Ngo Yung Lee
- From the Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kel Vin Tan
- Department of Oncology, The University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vrijesh Tripathi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Keith Wan Hang Chiu
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong
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22
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Molecular and Anatomic Imaging of Neuroendocrine Tumors. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 2022; 31:649-671. [DOI: 10.1016/j.soc.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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23
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Sadler AWE, Hogan L, Fraser B, Rendina LM. Cutting edge rare earth radiometals: prospects for cancer theranostics. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2022; 7:21. [PMID: 36018527 PMCID: PMC9418400 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-022-00173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With recent advances in novel approaches to cancer therapy and imaging, the application of theranostic techniques in personalised medicine has emerged as a very promising avenue of research inquiry in recent years. Interest has been directed towards the theranostic potential of Rare Earth radiometals due to their closely related chemical properties which allow for their facile and interchangeable incorporation into identical bifunctional chelators or targeting biomolecules for use in a diverse range of cancer imaging and therapeutic applications without additional modification, i.e. a “one-size-fits-all” approach. This review will focus on recent progress and innovations in the area of Rare Earth radionuclides for theranostic applications by providing a detailed snapshot of their current state of production by means of nuclear reactions, subsequent promising theranostic capabilities in the clinic, as well as a discussion of factors that have impacted upon their progress through the theranostic drug development pipeline. Main body In light of this interest, a great deal of research has also been focussed towards certain under-utilised Rare Earth radionuclides with diverse and favourable decay characteristics which span the broad spectrum of most cancer imaging and therapeutic applications, with potential nuclides suitable for α-therapy (149Tb), β−-therapy (47Sc, 161Tb, 166Ho, 153Sm, 169Er, 149Pm, 143Pr, 170Tm), Auger electron (AE) therapy (161Tb, 135La, 165Er), positron emission tomography (43Sc, 44Sc, 149Tb, 152Tb, 132La, 133La), and single photon emission computed tomography (47Sc, 155Tb, 152Tb, 161Tb, 166Ho, 153Sm, 149Pm, 170Tm). For a number of the aforementioned radionuclides, their progression from ‘bench to bedside’ has been hamstrung by lack of availability due to production and purification methods requiring further optimisation. Conclusions In order to exploit the potential of these radionuclides, reliable and economical production and purification methods that provide the desired radionuclides in high yield and purity are required. With more reactors around the world being decommissioned in future, solutions to radionuclide production issues will likely be found in a greater focus on linear accelerator and cyclotron infrastructure and production methods, as well as mass separation methods. Recent progress towards the optimisation of these and other radionuclide production and purification methods has increased the feasibility of utilising Rare Earth radiometals in both preclinical and clinical settings, thereby placing them at the forefront of radiometals research for cancer theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leena Hogan
- ANSTO Life Sciences, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Benjamin Fraser
- ANSTO Life Sciences, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Louis M Rendina
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Comparison of Choi, RECIST and Somatostatin Receptor PET/CT Based Criteria for the Evaluation of Response and Response Prediction to PRRT. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061278. [PMID: 35745849 PMCID: PMC9227135 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: The most suitable method for assessment of response to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) is still under debate. In this study we aimed to compare size (RECIST 1.1), density (Choi), Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) and a newly defined ZP combined parameter derived from Somatostatin Receptor (SSR) PET/CT for prediction of both response to PRRT and overall survival (OS). Material and Methods: Thirty-four NET patients with progressive disease (F:M 23:11; mean age 61.2 y; SD ± 12) treated with PRRT using either Lu-177 DOTATOC or Lu-177 DOTATATE and imaged with Ga-68 SSR PET/CT approximately 10–12 weeks prior to and after each treatment cycle were retrospectively analyzed. Median duration of follow-up after the first cycle was 63.9 months (range 6.2–86.2). A total of 77 lesions (2–8 per patient) were analyzed. Response assessment was performed according to RECIST 1.1, Choi and modified EORTC (MORE) criteria. In addition, a new parameter named ZP, the product of Hounsfield unit (HU) and SUVmean (Standard Uptake Value) of a tumor lesion, was tested. Further, SUV values (max and mean) of the tumor were normalized to SUV of normal liver parenchyma. Tumor response was defined as CR, PR, or SD. Gold standard for comparison of baseline parameters for prediction of response of individual target lesions to PRRT was change in size of lesions according to RECIST 1.1. For prediction of overall survival, the response after the first and second PRRT were tested. Results: Based on RECIST 1.1, Choi, MORE, and ZP, 85.3%, 64.7%, 61.8%, and 70.6% achieved a response whereas 14.7%, 35.3%, 38.2%, and 29.4% demonstrated PD (progressive disease), respectively. Baseline ZP and ZPnormalized were found to be the only parameters predictive of lesion progression after three PRRT cycles (AUC ZP 0.753; 95% CI 0.6–0.9, p 0.037; AUC ZPnormalized 0.766; 95% CI 0.6–0.9; p 0.029). Based on a cut-off-value of 1201, ZP achieved a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 67%, while ZPnormalized reached a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 76% at a cut-off-value of 198. Median OS in the total cohort was not reached. In univariate analysis amongst all parameters, only patients having progressive disease according to MORE after the second cycle of PRRT were found to have significantly shorter overall survival (median OS in objective responders not reached, in PD 29.2 months; p 0.015). Patients progressive after two cycles of PRRT according to ZP had shorter OS compared to those responding (median OS for responders not reached, for PD 47.2 months, p 0.066). Conclusions: In this explorative study, we showed that Choi, RECIST 1.1, and SUVmax-based response evaluation varied significantly from each other. Only patients showing progressive disease after two PRRT cycles according to MORE criteria had a worse prognosis while baseline ZP and ZPnormalized performed best in predicting lesion progression after three cycles of PRRT.
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Iravani A, Parihar AS, Akhurst T, Hicks RJ. Molecular imaging phenotyping for selecting and monitoring radioligand therapy of neuroendocrine neoplasms. Cancer Imaging 2022; 22:25. [PMID: 35659779 PMCID: PMC9164531 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-022-00465-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) is an umbrella term that includes a widely heterogeneous disease group including well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), and aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). The site of origin of the NENs is linked to the intrinsic tumour biology and is predictive of the disease course. It is understood that NENs demonstrate significant biologic heterogeneity which ultimately translates to widely varying clinical presentations, disease course and prognosis. Thus, significant emphasis is laid on the pre-therapy evaluation of markers that can help predict tumour behavior and dynamically monitors the response during and after treatment. Most well-differentiated NENs express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) which make them appropriate for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, the treatment outcomes of PRRT depend heavily on the adequacy of patient selection by molecular imaging phenotyping not only utilizing pre-treatment SSTR PET but 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET to provide insights into the intra- or inter-tumoural heterogeneity of the metastatic disease. Molecular imaging phenotyping may go beyond patient selection and provide useful information during and post-treatment for monitoring of temporal heterogeneity of the disease and dynamically risk-stratify patients. In addition, advances in the understanding of genomic-phenotypic classifications of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas led to an archetypical example in precision medicine by utilizing molecular imaging phenotyping to guide radioligand therapy. Novel non-SSTR based peptide receptors have also been explored diagnostically and therapeutically to overcome the tumour heterogeneity. In this paper, we review the current molecular imaging modalities that are being utilized for the characterization of the NENs with special emphasis on their role in patient selection for radioligand therapy.
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Hope TA, Pavel M, Bergsland EK. Neuroendocrine Tumors and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: When Is the Right Time? J Clin Oncol 2022; 40:2818-2829. [PMID: 35649195 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its approval in 2018 by the US Food and Drug Administration, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has become a mainstay in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Lutetium-177-DOTATATE, the only approved agent, is indicated for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic-neuroendocrine tumors. Although patient selection appears straightforward with somatostatin receptor-positron emission tomography, there is considerable complexity when deciding which patients to treat and when to start PRRT. Herein, we review the many factors that affect patient selection, focusing on the optimal patients to treat. Although significant effort has been expended to determine which patients benefit the most from PRRT, a validated predictive biomarker remains elusive. Although PRRT has been used for more than 2 decades in Europe and standards of care exist for safe treatment, there remain numerous questions regarding when PRRT should be used relative to other treatments. It is important to remember that multidisciplinary discussions are essential. Currently, there are a number of ongoing studies looking to assess the efficacy of PRRT compared with other treatment options and to optimize treatment through combination therapy, different dosing strategies, or use of different radionuclides and radioligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Hope
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Department of Radiology, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Marianne Pavel
- Department of Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Emily K Bergsland
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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Lee L, Ramos-Alvarez I, Jensen RT. Predictive Factors for Resistant Disease with Medical/Radiologic/Liver-Directed Anti-Tumor Treatments in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Recent Advances and Controversies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051250. [PMID: 35267558 PMCID: PMC8909561 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor resistance, both primary and acquired, is leading to increased complexity in the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs, which would be greatly helped by reliable prognostic/predictive factors. The importance in identifying resistance is being contributed to by the increased array of possible treatments available for treating resistant advanced disease; the variable clinical course as well as response to any given treatment approach of patients within one staging or grading system, the advances in imaging which are providing increasing promising results/parameters that correlate with grading/outcome/resistance, the increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis providing promising prognostic markers, all of which can contribute to selecting the best treatment to overcome resistance disease. Several factors have been identified that have prognostic/predictive value for identifying development resistant disease and affecting overall survival (OS)/PFS with various nonsurgical treatments of patients with advanced panNENs. Prognostic factors identified for patients with advanced panNENs for both OS/PFSs include various clinically-related factors (clinical, laboratory/biological markers, imaging, treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological, classification, grading) and molecular factors. Particularly important prognostic factors for the different treatment modalities studies are the recent grading systems. Most prognostic factors for each treatment modality for OS/PFS are not specific for a given treatment option. These advances have generated several controversies and new unanswered questions, particularly those related to their possible role in predicting the possible sequence of different anti-tumor treatments in patients with different presentations. Each of these areas is reviewed in this paper. Abstract Purpose: Recent advances in the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs) have led to an emerging need for sensitive and useful prognostic factors for predicting responses/survival. Areas covered: The predictive value of a number of reported prognostic factors including clinically-related factors (clinical/laboratory/imaging/treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological/classification/grading), and molecular factors, on therapeutic outcomes of anti-tumor medical therapies with molecular targeting agents (everolimus/sunitinib/somatostatin analogues), chemotherapy, radiological therapy with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, or liver-directed therapies (embolization/chemoembolization/radio-embolization (SIRTs)) are reviewed. Recent findings in each of these areas, as well as remaining controversies and uncertainties, are discussed in detail, particularly from the viewpoint of treatment sequencing. Conclusions: The recent increase in the number of available therapeutic agents for the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs have raised the importance of prognostic factors predictive for therapeutic outcomes of each treatment option. The establishment of sensitive and useful prognostic markers will have a significant impact on optimal treatment selection, as well as in tailoring the therapeutic sequence, and for maximizing the survival benefit of each individual patient. In the paper, the progress in this area, as well as the controversies/uncertainties, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingaku Lee
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- National Kyushu Cancer Center, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatology, Fukuoka 811-1395, Japan
| | - Irene Ramos-Alvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
| | - Robert T. Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-496-4201
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Ambrosini V, Zanoni L, Filice A, Lamberti G, Argalia G, Fortunati E, Campana D, Versari A, Fanti S. Radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogues for Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041055. [PMID: 35205805 PMCID: PMC8870358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and heterogeneous tumors, presenting in often challenging clinical scenarios, and require multidisciplinary discussion for optimal care. The theranostic approach (DOTA peptides labelled with 68Ga for imaging well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors NETs, and labelled with 90Y or 177Lu for therapy) plays a crucial role in the management of NENs to assess disease extension and criteria for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) eligibility of based on somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression. The present paper is an overview of currently employed radiolabeled SSTR analogues used for both diagnosis and therapy of NENs. Further emerging radiopharmaceuticals targeting SSTRs (e.g., fluorinated SSTR agonists, radiolabeled SSTR antagonists) as well as strategies to improve PRRT efficacy (by means of implementation of personalized treatment schemes, dosimetry, amelioration of response assessment strategies, and optimization of treatment sequencing) are also discussed. Finally, although very preliminary, some studies employing radiomic features in various kinds of NET are reported. Abstract Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare and heterogeneous tumors that require multidisciplinary discussion for optimal care. The theranostic approach (DOTA peptides labelled with 68Ga for diagnosis and with 90Y or 177Lu for therapy) plays a crucial role in the management of NENs to assess disease extension and as a criteria for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) eligibility based on somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression. On the diagnostic side, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA peptides PET/CT (SSTR PET/CT) is the gold standard for imaging well-differentiated SSTR-expressing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). [18F]FDG PET/CT is useful in higher grade NENs (NET G2 with Ki-67 > 10% and NET G3; NEC) for more accurate disease characterization and prognostication. Promising emerging radiopharmaceuticals include somatostatin analogues labelled with 18F (to overcome the limits imposed by 68Ga), and SSTR antagonists (for both diagnosis and therapy). On the therapeutic side, the evidence gathered over the past two decades indicates that PRRT is to be considered as an effective and safe treatment option for SSTR-expressing NETs, and is currently included in the therapeutic algorithms of the main scientific societies. The positioning of PRRT in the treatment sequence, as well as treatment personalization (e.g., tailored dosimetry, re-treatment, selection criteria, and combination with other alternative treatment options), is warranted in order to improve its efficacy while reducing toxicity. Although very preliminary (being mostly hampered by lack of methodological standardization, especially regarding feature selection/extraction) and often including small patient cohorts, radiomic studies in NETs are also presented. To date, the implementation of radiomics in clinical practice is still unclear. The purpose of this review is to offer an overview of radiolabeled SSTR analogues for theranostic use in NENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ambrosini
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Zanoni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Angelina Filice
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.F.); (A.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Argalia
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Emilia Fortunati
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Davide Campana
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annibale Versari
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; (A.F.); (A.V.)
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Department of Experimental Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.A.); (G.L.); (G.A.); (E.F.); (D.C.); (S.F.)
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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Treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms with Radiolabeled Peptides-Where Are We Now. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030761. [PMID: 35159027 PMCID: PMC8833798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has been one of the most successful and exciting examples of theranostics in nuclear medicine in recent decades and is now firmly embedded in many treatment algorithms for unresectable or metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) worldwide. It is widely considered to be an effective treatment for well- or moderately differentiated neoplasms, which express high levels of somatostatin receptors that can be selectively targeted. This review article outlines the scientific basis of PRRT in treatment of NENs and describes its discovery dating back to the early 1990s. Early treatments utilizing Indium-111, a γ-emitter, showed promise in reduction in tumor size and improvement in biochemistry, but were also met with high radiation doses and myelotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. Subsequently, stable conjugation of DOTA-peptides with β-emitting radionuclides, such as Yttrium-90 and Lutetium-177, served as a breakthrough for PRRT and studies highlighted their potential in eliciting progression-free survival and quality of life benefits. This article will also elaborate on the key trials which paved the way for its approval and will discuss therapeutic considerations, such as patient selection and administration technique, to optimize its use.
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Yu J, Cao F, Zhao X, Xie Q, Lu M, Li J, Yang Z, Sun Y. Correlation and Comparison of Somatostatin Receptor Type 2 Immunohistochemical Scoring Systems with 68Ga-DOTATATE Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:358-369. [PMID: 34077939 DOI: 10.1159/000517530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The overexpression of somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) is a unique characteristic of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs), which establishes the basis for both diagnosis and therapy. The SSTR status can be evaluated by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. This study attempted to determine the relationship between IHC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging and to explore the optimal cutoff value for SSTR IHC reading. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 100 GEP-NENs with SSTR PET/CT and pathological data were retrospectively analyzed, which consisted of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1 (n = 9), NET G2 (n = 64), NET G3 (n = 13), neuroendocrine carcinoma ( n = 10), and mixed neuroendocrine-non-NENs ( n = 4). SSTR2-IHC results were interpreted by 4 well-established semiquantitative scoring systems, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) score, Volante score, H score, and immunoreactive score. RESULTS In the homogeneous SSTR2 expression group (accounting for 57% of all cases), the 4 scoring systems were highly concordant with each other (Kendall's Tau-b coefficient range: 0.80-0.96, p < 0.001) and also highly correlated with the 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging results (Spearman's rank correlation coefficients: 0.71, 0.86, 0.80, and 0.71, p < 0.001). In the heterogeneous group (43%), the 4 scoring systems revealed a lower level of concordance (the Kendall Tau-b coefficient range: 0.40-0.75, p < 0.01), and the correlation with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging was also lower, albeit statistically significant (Spearman's rank correlation coefficients: 0.53, 0.38, 0.36, and 0.33, p < 0.05). Heterogeneous SSTR2 expression was mainly observed in the HER2 2+ cases, for which the combination with H score could help identify positive cases with increased sensitivity and specificity. The highest sensitivity and specificity of H scores in predicting the imaging results were achieved at 86.10 and 89.30% when defining the cutoff value as 160, indicating that 80% of the tumor cells were moderately positive or 55% were strongly positive. CONCLUSIONS SSTR2 IHC was found to predict 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT imaging accurately, especially in the homogeneous expression group. According to the positive 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT outcomes, 80% of the tumor cells moderately positive or 55% strongly positive was the cutoff values for SSTR2-IHC reading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyuan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China,
| | - Xinya Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Xie
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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Metser U, Eshet Y, Ortega C, Veit-Haibach P, Liu A, K S Wong R. The association between lesion tracer uptake on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET with morphological response to 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy in patients with progressive metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. Nucl Med Commun 2022; 43:73-77. [PMID: 34887370 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000001488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine in a group of patients with progressive metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (PM-NETs) treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE whether a correlation exists between somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-2 expression in various tumors on baseline 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and their response to therapy. A secondary aim was to determine whether an association exists between tumor product of diameter (POD) and PET-derived Krenning score. MATERIALS METHODS Patients treated PM-NETs who had SSTR-2 overexpression (SSTR-RADS 5) on screening 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and CT at baseline and 3 months after therapy completion were included. Marker lesions on baseline CT were reassessed on CT after therapy using adapted Southwest Oncology Group solid tumor evaluation criteria. For each lesion, bidimensional diameter on CT and SSTR expression on PET (SSTR-RADS uptake score & PET-derived Krenning score) were recorded. Logistic regression models fitted through generalized estimating equations were used to assess for an association between SSTR expression and response to therapy, or lesion's POD. RESULTS Forty-one patients with SSTR-RADS 5 PM-NETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE were included. There were 135 marker lesions (mean 3.2 lesions/patient) with Krenning score of 4 (n = 74), 3 (n = 44) or 2 (n = 17). There was no association found between SSTR-2 expression, as determined by SSTR-RADS uptake score or PET-derived Krenning score, and POD or response to therapy. CONCLUSION In patients with SSTR-RADS 5 PM-NETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE, there was similar response to therapy for all lesions with PET-generated Krenning score ≥2. No correlation was found between lesion's POD and level of tracer uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ur Metser
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital; University of Toronto
| | - Yael Eshet
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital; University of Toronto
| | - Claudia Ortega
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital; University of Toronto
| | - Patrick Veit-Haibach
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital; University of Toronto
| | - Amy Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
| | - Rebecca K S Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network & University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Opalińska M, Morawiec-Sławek K, Kania-Kuc A, Al Maraih I, Sowa-Staszczak A, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A. Potential value of pre- and post-therapy [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT in the prognosis of response to PRRT in disseminated neuroendocrine tumors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:929391. [PMID: 36046793 PMCID: PMC9420847 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.929391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is one of the most effective therapeutic options for the treatment of metastatic, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). It improves progressive disease-free survival and enables the control of hormone secretion in functioning tumors.Currently, there are no clearly established predictors of response to PRRT. The main factors hindering such a prediction are the heterogeneity of somatostatin receptor expression within and between lesions, lack of standardized parameters for functional imaging, and the use of different PRRT protocols.The main goal of our study was to quantify SUVmax changes in [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT scans as a potential predictor of long-term response to PRRT. MATERIAL AND METHODS Out of 20 patients treated with PRRT using [177Lu]Lu and/or [177Lu]Lu/[90Y]Y-DOTA-TATE in 2017-2019 due to dissemination of neuroendocrine neoplasm, 12 patients underwent [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT on average 3.1 months before and 4.5 months after PRRT and were eligible for the analysis.In total, 76 NET lesions were evaluated. We measured SUVmax for every lesion in both PET/CT scans (before and after PRRT). Those values were corrected by liver SUVmax and liver SUVmean measured in volumetric analysis and specified as SUVlmax and SUVlmean. As a next step, changes in SUVlmax and SUVlmean were assessed based on both PET/CT scans. Finally, results were correlated with the clinical outcome assessed as progressive disease, disease stabilization, or partial response. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 19.9 months. Progressive disease, partial response, and disease stabilization were found in five, two, and five patients, respectively. Among patients with a partial response, the decrease in mean SUVlmax was 66.3% when compared to baseline. In patients with stable disease, the decrease in SUVlmax was 30.3% when compared to baseline. In patients with progressive disease, the mean increase in SUVlmax was 9.1% when compared to baseline. The changes in SUVlmean were -69,8%, -30.8%, and -3.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A decrease in the SUVmax value in NET lesions, corrected by normal liver tissue uptake assessed in [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT scans, indicates a lower risk for NET progressive disease within 20 months after PRRT and may constitute an additional and independent parameter for the estimation of overall risk for disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Opalińska
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Endocrinology Department, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Adrian Kania-Kuc
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Endocrinology Department, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ibraheem Al Maraih
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Endocrinology Department, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Sowa-Staszczak
- Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Sowa-Staszczak,
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Kennedy J, Chicheportiche A, Keidar Z. Quantitative SPECT/CT for dosimetry of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Semin Nucl Med 2021; 52:229-242. [PMID: 34911637 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are uncommon malignancies of increasing incidence and prevalence. As these slow growing tumors usually overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), the use of 68Ga-DOTA-peptides (gallium-68 chelated with dodecane tetra-acetic acid to somatostatin), which bind to the SSTRs, allows for PET based imaging and selection of patients for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). PRRT with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues such as 177Lu-DOTATATE (lutetium-177-[DOTA,Tyr3]-octreotate), is mainly used for the treatment of metastatic or inoperable NETs. However, PRRT is generally administered at a fixed injected activity in order not to exceed dose limits in critical organs, which is suboptimal given the variability in radiopharmaceutical uptake among patients. Advances in SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging enable the absolute quantitative measure of the true radiopharmaceutical distribution providing for PRRT dosimetry in each patient. Personalized PRRT based on patient-specific dosimetry could improve therapeutic efficacy by optimizing effective tumor absorbed dose while limiting treatment related radiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kennedy
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Alexandre Chicheportiche
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Biophysics, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zohar Keidar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Stolniceanu CR, Moscalu M, Azoicai D, Tamba B, Volovat C, Grierosu I, Ionescu T, Jalloul W, Ghizdovat V, Gherasim R, Volovat S, Wang F, Fu J, Moscalu R, Matovic M, Stefanescu C. Improved Personalised Neuroendocrine Tumours' Diagnosis Predictive Power by New Receptor Somatostatin Image Processing Quantification. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11101042. [PMID: 34683183 PMCID: PMC8539645 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11101042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are intensively studied, their diagnosis and consequently personalised therapy management is still puzzling due to their tumoral heterogeneity. In their theragnosis algorithm, receptor somatostatin scintigraphy takes the central place, the diagnosis receptor somatostatin analogue (RSA) choice depending on laboratory experience and accessibility. However, in all cases, the results depend decisively on correct radiotracer tumoral uptake quantification, where unfortunately there are still unrevealed clues and lack of standardization. We propose an improved method to quantify the biodistribution of gamma-emitting RSA, using tissular corrected uptake indices. We conducted a bi-centric retrospective study on 101 patients with different types of NETs. Three uptake indices obtained after applying new corrections to areas of interest drawn for the tumour and for three reference organs (liver, spleen and lung) were statistically analysed. For the corrected pathological uptake indices, the results showed a significant decrease in the error of estimating the occurrence of errors and an increase in the diagnostic predictive power for NETs, especially in the case of lung-referring corrected index. In conclusion, these results support the importance of corrected uptake indices use in the analysis of 99mTcRSA biodistribution for a better personalised diagnostic accuracy of NETs patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cati Raluca Stolniceanu
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Mihaela Moscalu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Doina Azoicai
- Department of Epidemiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Tamba
- Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700454 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Constantin Volovat
- Department of Medicine III—Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.V.); (S.V.)
| | - Irena Grierosu
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Teodor Ionescu
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Wael Jalloul
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Vlad Ghizdovat
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Roxana Gherasim
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
| | - Simona Volovat
- Department of Medicine III—Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.V.); (S.V.)
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China; (F.W.); (J.F.)
| | - Jingjing Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China; (F.W.); (J.F.)
| | - Roxana Moscalu
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, School of Medical Sciences Manchester, The University of Manchester, Manchester M139PT, UK;
| | - Milovan Matovic
- Clinical Center Kragujevac, Center for Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Cipriana Stefanescu
- Department of Biophysics and Medical Physics-Nuclear Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (C.R.S.); (I.G.); (T.I.); (W.J.); (V.G.); (R.G.); (C.S.)
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Park S, Parihar AS, Bodei L, Hope TA, Mallak N, Millo C, Prasad K, Wilson D, Zukotynski K, Mittra E. Somatostatin Receptor Imaging and Theranostics: Current Practice and Future Prospects. J Nucl Med 2021; 62:1323-1329. [PMID: 34301785 PMCID: PMC9364764 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.251512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A new era of precision diagnostics and therapy for patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms began with the approval of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging followed by peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). With the transition from SSTR-based γ-scintigraphy to PET, the higher sensitivity of the latter raised questions regarding the direct application of the planar scintigraphy-based Krenning score for PRRT eligibility. Also, to date, the role of SSTR PET in response assessment and predicting outcome remains under evaluation. In this comprehensive review article, we discuss the current role of SSTR PET in all aspects of neuroendocrine neoplasms, including its relation to conventional imaging, selection of patients for PRRT, and the current understanding of SSTR PET-based response assessment. We also provide a standardized reporting template for SSTR PET with a brief discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ashwin Singh Parihar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Lisa Bodei
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas A Hope
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Nadine Mallak
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Corina Millo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, RAD&IS, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kalpna Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Don Wilson
- BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katherine Zukotynski
- Departments of Radiology and Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erik Mittra
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon;
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Target Heterogeneity in Oncology: The Best Predictor for Differential Response to Radioligand Therapy in Neuroendocrine Tumors and Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143607. [PMID: 34298822 PMCID: PMC8304541 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the era of precision medicine, novel targets have emerged on the surface of cancer cells, which have been exploited for the purpose of radioligand therapy. However, there have been variations in the way these receptors are expressed, especially in prostate cancers and neuroendocrine tumors. This variable expression of receptors across the grades of cancers led to the concept of ‘target heterogeneity’, which has not just impacted therapeutic decisions but also their outcomes. Radiopharmaceuticals targeting receptors need to be used when there are specific indicators—either clinical, radiological, or at molecular level—warranting their use. In addition, response to these radioligands can be assessed using different techniques, whereby we can prognosticate further outcomes. We shall also discuss, in this review, the conventional as well as novel approaches of detecting heterogeneity in prostate cancers and neuroendocrine tumors. Abstract Tumor or target heterogeneity (TH) implies presence of variable cellular populations having different genomic characteristics within the same tumor, or in different tumor sites of the same patient. The challenge is to identify this heterogeneity, as it has emerged as the most common cause of ‘treatment resistance’, to current therapeutic agents. We have focused our discussion on ‘Prostate Cancer’ and ‘Neuroendocrine Tumors’, and looked at the established methods for demonstrating heterogeneity, each with its advantages and drawbacks. Also, the available theranostic radiotracers targeting PSMA and somatostatin receptors combined with targeted systemic agents, have been described. Lu-177 labeled PSMA and DOTATATE are the ‘standard of care’ radionuclide therapeutic tracers for management of progressive treatment-resistant prostate cancer and NET. These approved therapies have shown reasonable benefit in treatment outcome, with improvement in quality of life parameters. Various biomarkers and predictors of response to radionuclide therapies targeting TH which are currently available and those which can be explored have been elaborated in details. Imaging-based features using artificial intelligence (AI) need to be developed to further predict the presence of TH. Also, novel theranostic tools binding to newer targets on surface of cancer cell should be explored to overcome the treatment resistance to current treatment regimens.
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Assi HA, Hornbacker K, Shaheen S, Wittenberg T, Silberman R, Kunz PL. Rapid Progression After 177Lu-DOTATATE in Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors. Pancreas 2021; 50:890-894. [PMID: 34398071 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a treatment option for somatostatin receptor-positive, unresectable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Despite high disease control rates seen with PRRT, a subset of the NET population seems to have a short progression-free interval. We hypothesize that patients with NETs with rapid progression post-PRRT may have mixed low- and high-grade cell populations, and PRRT treats the lower-grade component, allowing the more aggressive high-grade component to progress.We report 7 patients with biopsy-proven NET who received PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE at the Stanford Cancer Center who had evidence of progressive disease (PD) on or within 6 months of therapy.All patients had primary pancreatic, metastatic, well-differentiated NET on diagnosis and were heavily pretreated before receiving PRRT. Two patients had PD while on PRRT; 5 had PD within 6 months of completing PRRT. The median time from the last cycle to PD was 3.2 months (range, 1.1-4.6 months). The median progression-free survival was 7.7 months (95% confidence interval, 5.7-9.8 months). Three patients had a repeat biopsy post-PRRT, 2 of which demonstrated higher disease grade compared with their initial pathology. Further evaluation in larger patient cohorts is warranted to elucidate predictive factors of PRRT response/nonresponse to enable better patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein A Assi
- From the Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Kathleen Hornbacker
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Shagufta Shaheen
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Theresa Wittenberg
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Robyn Silberman
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Pamela L Kunz
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Abstract
This article summarizes the role of PET imaging for detection, characterization, and theranostic/therapy planning for neuroendocrine tumors. Topics in this article span overall imaging accuracy with mostly 68Ga-DOTA-peptide imaging as well as basic principles of individualized dosimetry. There is also some discussion around further specialized approaches in dosimetry in theranostics. In addition, an overview of the literature on functional imaging in neuroendocrine tumors and the current understanding of imaging-derived clinical outcome prediction are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K S Wong
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 610 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, Suite 504, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Ur Metser
- Joint Department Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Ave, Suite 3-920, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, 263 McCaul Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 1W7, Canada
| | - Patrick Veit-Haibach
- Joint Department Medical Imaging, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital & Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Ave, Suite 3-920, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada; Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, 263 McCaul Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 1W7, Canada.
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Roll W, Weckesser M, Seifert R, Bodei L, Rahbar K. Imaging and liquid biopsy in the prediction and evaluation of response to PRRT in neuroendocrine tumors: implications for patient management. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 48:4016-4027. [PMID: 33903926 PMCID: PMC8484222 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this narrative review is to give an overview on current and emerging imaging methods and liquid biopsy for prediction and evaluation of response to PRRT. Current limitations and new perspectives, including artificial intelligence, are discussed. Methods A literature review of PubMed/Medline was performed with representative keywords. The search included articles published online through August 31, 2020. All searches were restricted to English language manuscripts. Results Peptide radio receptor therapy (PRRT) is a prospectively evaluated and approved therapy option in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Different ligands targeting the somatostatin receptor (SSTR) are used as theranostic pairs for imaging NET and for PRRT. Response assessment in prospective trials often relies on the morphological RECIST 1.1 criteria, based on lesion size in CT or MRI. The role of SSTR-PET and quantitative uptake parameters and volumetric data is still not defined. Monoanalyte tumor marker chromogranin A has a limited value for response assessment after PRRT. New emerging liquid biopsy techniques are offering prediction of response to PRRT and prognostic value. Conclusions New response criteria for NET patients undergoing PRRT will comprise multiparametric hybrid imaging and blood-based multianalyte markers. This represents tumor biology and heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Roll
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.,West German Cancer Center, Muenster and Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Weckesser
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.,West German Cancer Center, Muenster and Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert Seifert
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.,West German Cancer Center, Muenster and Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Bodei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Kambiz Rahbar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany. .,West German Cancer Center, Muenster and Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Ahenkorah S, Cassells I, Deroose CM, Cardinaels T, Burgoyne AR, Bormans G, Ooms M, Cleeren F. Bismuth-213 for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: From Atom to Bedside. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:599. [PMID: 33919391 PMCID: PMC8143329 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13050599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to external high energy photon or proton therapy, targeted radionuclide therapy (TRNT) is a systemic cancer treatment allowing targeted irradiation of a primary tumor and all its metastases, resulting in less collateral damage to normal tissues. The α-emitting radionuclide bismuth-213 (213Bi) has interesting properties and can be considered as a magic bullet for TRNT. The benefits and drawbacks of targeted alpha therapy with 213Bi are discussed in this review, covering the entire chain from radionuclide production to bedside. First, the radionuclide properties and production of 225Ac and its daughter 213Bi are discussed, followed by the fundamental chemical properties of bismuth. Next, an overview of available acyclic and macrocyclic bifunctional chelators for bismuth and general considerations for designing a 213Bi-radiopharmaceutical are provided. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical and clinical studies involving 213Bi-radiopharmaceuticals, as well as the future perspectives of this promising cancer treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Ahenkorah
- Institute for Nuclear Materials Science, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.A.); (I.C.); (T.C.); (A.R.B.)
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Irwin Cassells
- Institute for Nuclear Materials Science, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.A.); (I.C.); (T.C.); (A.R.B.)
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Christophe M. Deroose
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Cardinaels
- Institute for Nuclear Materials Science, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.A.); (I.C.); (T.C.); (A.R.B.)
- Department of Chemistry, University of Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrew R. Burgoyne
- Institute for Nuclear Materials Science, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.A.); (I.C.); (T.C.); (A.R.B.)
| | - Guy Bormans
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Maarten Ooms
- Institute for Nuclear Materials Science, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium; (S.A.); (I.C.); (T.C.); (A.R.B.)
| | - Frederik Cleeren
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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Strategies Towards Improving Clinical Outcomes of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:46. [PMID: 33721105 PMCID: PMC7960621 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01037-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3] octreotate is an effective and safe second- or third-line treatment option for patients with low-grade advanced gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). In this review, we will focus on possible extensions of the current use of PRRT and on new approaches which could further improve its treatment efficacy and safety. Recent Findings Promising results were published regarding PRRT in other NENs, including lung NENs or high-grade NENs, and applying PRRT as neoadjuvant or salvage therapy. Furthermore, a diversity of strategic approaches, including dosimetry, somatostatin receptor antagonists, somatostatin receptor upregulation, radiosensitization, different radionuclides, albumin binding, alternative renal protection, and liver-directed therapy in combination with PRRT, have the potential to improve the outcome of PRRT. Also, novel biomarkers are presented that could predict response to PRRT. Summary Multiple preclinical and early clinical studies have shown encouraging potential to advance the clinical outcome of PRRT in NEN patients. However, at this moment, most of these strategies have not yet reached the clinical setting of randomized phase III trials.
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Ortega C, Wong RK, Schaefferkoetter J, Veit-Haibach P, Myrehaug S, Juergens R, Laidley D, Anconina R, Liu A, Metser U. Quantitative 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT Parameters for the Prediction of Therapy Response in Patients with Progressive Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE. J Nucl Med 2021; 62:1406-1414. [DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.256727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Feijtel D, Doeswijk GN, Verkaik NS, Haeck JC, Chicco D, Angotti C, Konijnenberg MW, de Jong M, Nonnekens J. Inter and intra-tumor somatostatin receptor 2 heterogeneity influences peptide receptor radionuclide therapy response. Theranostics 2021; 11:491-505. [PMID: 33391488 PMCID: PMC7738856 DOI: 10.7150/thno.51215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) can be treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Here, the somatostatin analogue octreotate radiolabeled with lutetium-177 is targeted to NET cells by binding to the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SST2). During radioactive decay, DNA damage is induced, leading to NET cell death. Although the therapy proves to be effective, mortality rates remain high. To appropriately select more optimal treatment strategies, it is essential to first better understand the radiobiological responses of tumor cells to PRRT. Methods: We analyzed PRRT induced radiobiological responses in SST2 expressing cells and xenografted mice using SPECT/MRI scanning and histological and molecular analyses. We measured [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE uptake and performed analyses to visualize induction of DNA damage, cell death and other cellular characteristics. Results: The highest accumulation of radioactivity was measured in the tumor and kidneys. PRRT induced DNA damage signaling and repair in a time-dependent manner. We observed intra-tumor heterogeneity of DNA damage and apoptosis, which was not attributed to proliferation or bioavailability. We found a strong correlation between high DNA damage levels and high SST2 expression. PRRT elicited a different therapeutic response between models with different SST2 expression levels. Heterogeneous SST2 expression levels were also confirmed in patient NETs. Conclusion: Heterogeneous SST2 expression levels within NETs cause differentially induced DNA damage levels, influence recurrent tumor phenotypes and impact the therapeutic response in different models and potentially in patients. Our results contribute to a better understanding of PRRT effects, which might impact future therapeutic outcome of NET patients.
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Strosberg J, Leeuwenkamp O, Siddiqui MK. Peptide receptor radiotherapy re-treatment in patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 93:102141. [PMID: 33418096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This review and meta-analysis examined published evidence of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) re-treatment efficacy and safety in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). METHODS Embase, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Progress, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (database inception-present) to identify evidence of efficacy and safety of PRRT re-treatment in adults with NETs previously treated with 177Lu- and/or 90Y-PRRT. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR) from time of re-treatment were assessed. Data were pooled using medians and variance for time-to-event outcomes and inverse-variance weighted proportions (Freeman-Tukey method) for binary outcomes. RESULTS Of 567 studies screened, 13 reported re-treatment efficacy outcomes. In random-effects meta-analyses of 177Lu-PRRT re-treatment, median PFS (N = 7 studies [414patients]) was 12.52 months (95% CI 9.82-15.22) with moderate heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 50.5%), median OS (N = 2 [194 patients]) was 26.78 months (95% CI 18.73-34.83) with moderate-to-high heterogeneity (I2 = 57.5%), and DCR (N = 8 [347 patients]) was 71% (95% CI 66-75) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 81.5%). PFS was similar with either 177Lu-PRRT re-treatment alone or in combination with 90Y-PRRT. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 5% (95% CI 2-8) of patients receiving 177Lu-PRRT re-treatment (N = 5 [271 patients]) with few grade 3/4 renal toxicities (0% [95% CI 0-1]). Pooled myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia incidence was 0% (95%CI 0-2). CONCLUSION Re-treatment with 177Lu-PRRT provided encouraging median PFS in patients with NETs with a safety profile similar to initial PRRT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Leeuwenkamp
- Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a Novartis Company, Rue de la Tour de l'Ile 4, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland.
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Werner RA, Derlin T, Rowe SP, Bundschuh L, Sheikh GT, Pomper MG, Schulz S, Higuchi T, Buck AK, Bengel FM, Bundschuh RA, Lapa C. High Interobserver Agreement for the Standardized Reporting System SSTR-RADS 1.0 on Somatostatin Receptor PET/CT. J Nucl Med 2020; 62:514-520. [PMID: 32859702 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.245464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, a standardized framework system for interpreting somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted PET/CT, termed the SSTR reporting and data system (RADS) 1.0, was introduced, providing reliable standards and criteria for SSTR-targeted imaging. We determined the interobserver reliability of SSTR-RADS for interpretation of 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans in a multicentric, randomized setting. Methods: A set of 51 randomized 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans was independently assessed by 4 masked readers with different levels of experience (2 experienced readers and 2 inexperienced readers) trained on the SSTR-RADS 1.0 criteria (based on a 5-point scale from 1 [definitively benign] to 5 [high certainty that neuroendocrine neoplasia is present]). For each scan, SSTR-RADS scores were assigned to a maximum of 5 target lesions (TLs). An overall scan impression based on SSTR-RADS was indicated, and interobserver agreement rates on a TL-based, on an organ-based, and on an overall SSTR-RADS score-based level were computed. The readers were also asked to decide whether peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) should be considered on the basis of the assigned RADS scores. Results: Among the selected TLs, 153 were chosen by at least 2 readers (all 4 readers selected the same TLs in 58 of 153 [37.9%] instances). The interobserver agreement for SSTR-RADS scoring among identical TLs was good (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.73 for 4, 3, and 2 identical TLs). For lymph node and liver lesions, excellent interobserver agreement rates were derived (ICC, 0.91 and 0.77, respectively). Moreover, the interobserver agreement for an overall scan impression based on SSTR-RADS was excellent (ICC, 0.88). The SSTR-RADS-based decision to use PRRT also demonstrated excellent agreement, with an ICC of 0.80. No significant differences between experienced and inexperienced readers for an overall scan impression and TL-based SSTR-RADS scoring were observed (P ≥ 0.18), thereby suggesting that SSTR-RADS seems to be readily applicable even for less experienced readers. Conclusion: SSTR-RADS-guided assessment demonstrated a high concordance rate, even among readers with different levels of experience, supporting the adoption of SSTR-RADS for trials, clinical routine, or outcome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf A Werner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thorsten Derlin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steven P Rowe
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lena Bundschuh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriel T Sheikh
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Martin G Pomper
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sebastian Schulz
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Takahiro Higuchi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; and.,Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Andreas K Buck
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; and
| | - Frank M Bengel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralph A Bundschuh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Hospital Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - Constantin Lapa
- Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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(Radio)Theranostic Patient Management in Oncology Exemplified by Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, Prostate Cancer, and Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13030039. [PMID: 32151049 PMCID: PMC7151671 DOI: 10.3390/ph13030039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of nuclear medicine in the management of oncological patients has expanded during last two decades. The number of radiopharmaceuticals contributing to the realization of theranostics/radiotheranostics in the context of personalized medicine is increasing. This review is focused on the examples of targeted (radio)pharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), prostate cancer, and breast cancer. These examples strongly demonstrate the tendency of nuclear medicine development towards personalized medicine.
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Current K, Meyer C, Magyar CE, Mona CE, Almajano J, Slavik R, Stuparu AD, Cheng C, Dawson DW, Radu CG, Czernin J, Lueckerath K. Investigating PSMA-Targeted Radioligand Therapy Efficacy as a Function of Cellular PSMA Levels and Intratumoral PSMA Heterogeneity. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:2946-2955. [PMID: 31932492 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting radioligands deliver radiation to PSMA-expressing cells. However, the relationship between PSMA levels and intralesion heterogeneity of PSMA expression, and cytotoxic radiation by radioligand therapy (RLT) is unknown. Here we investigate RLT efficacy as function of PSMA levels/cell, and the fraction of PSMA+ cells in a tumor. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN RM1 cells expressing different levels of PSMA (PSMA-, PSMA+, PSMA++, PSMA+++; study 1) or a mix of PSMA+ and PSMA- RM1 (study 2, 4) or PC-3/PC-3-PIP (study 3) cells at various ratios were injected into mice. Mice received 177Lu- (studies 1-3) or 225Ac- (study 4) PSMA617. Tumor growth was monitored. Two days post-RLT, tumors were resected in a subset of mice. Radioligand uptake and DNA damage were quantified. RESULTS 177Lu-PSMA617 efficacy increased with increasing PSMA levels (study 1) and fractions of PSMA positive cells (studies 2, 3) in both, the RM1 and PC-3-PIP models. In tumors resected 2 days post-RLT, PSMA expression correlated with 177Lu-PSMA617 uptake and the degree of DNA damage. Compared with 177Lu-PSMA617, 225Ac-PSMA617 improved overall antitumor effectiveness and tended to enhance the differences in therapeutic efficacy between experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS In the current models, both the degree of PSMA expression and the fraction of PSMA+ cells correlate with 177Lu-/225Ac-PSMA617 tumor uptake and DNA damage, and thus, RLT efficacy. Low or heterogeneous PSMA expression represents a resistance mechanism to RLT.See related commentary by Ravi Kumar and Hofman, p. 2774.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Current
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Catherine Meyer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Clara E Magyar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Christine E Mona
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Joel Almajano
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Roger Slavik
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Andreea D Stuparu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Chloe Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - David W Dawson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Caius G Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Johannes Czernin
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California
| | - Katharina Lueckerath
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California.
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