Treatment with the radiolabeled somatostatin analog [177 Lu-DOTA 0,Tyr3]octreotate: toxicity, efficacy, and survival

PURPOSE

Despite the fact that most gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) are slow-growing, median overall survival (OS) in patients with liver metastases is 2 to 4 years. In metastatic disease, cytoreductive therapeutic options are limited. A relatively new therapy is peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with the radiolabeled somatostatin analog [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate. Here we report on the toxicity and efficacy of this treatment, performed in over 500 patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were treated up to a cumulative dose of 750 to 800 mCi (27.8-29.6 GBq), usually in four treatment cycles, with treatment intervals of 6 to 10 weeks. Toxicity analysis was done in 504 patients, and efficacy analysis in 310 patients.

RESULTS

Any hematologic toxicity grade 3 or 4 occurred after 3.6% of administrations. Serious adverse events that were likely attributable to the treatment were myelodysplastic syndrome in three patients, and temporary, nonfatal, liver toxicity in two patients. Complete and partial tumor remissions occurred in 2% and 28% of 310 GEPNET patients, respectively. Minor tumor response (decrease in size > 25% and < 50%) occurred in 16%. Median time to progression was 40 months. Median OS from start of treatment was 46 months, median OS from diagnosis was 128 months. Compared with historical controls, there was a survival benefit of 40 to 72 months from diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate has few adverse effects. Tumor response rates and progression-free survival compare favorably to the limited number of alternative treatment modalities. Compared with historical controls, there is a benefit in OS from time of diagnosis of several years.

Effects of therapy with [177Lu-DOTA0, Tyr3]octreotate in patients with paraganglioma, meningioma, small cell lung carcinoma, and melanoma

Therapy using the radiolabeled somatostatin analog [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate (177Lu-octreotate) (DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid) has been used primarily in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Here we present the effects of this therapy in a small number of patients with metastasized or inoperable paragangliomas, meningiomas, small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), and melanomas.

METHODS

Twelve patients with paraganglioma, 5 with meningioma, 3 with SCLC, and 2 with eye melanoma were treated. Three meningiomas were very large and exophytic and all standard treatments had failed. Patients with melanoma had rapidly progressive disease (PD). The intended cumulative dose of 177Lu-octreotate was 22.2-29.6 GBq. Effects of the treatment on tumor size were evaluated using the Southwest Oncology Group criteria.

RESULTS

Two of 4 patients with progressive paraganglioma had tumor regression and 1 had stable disease (SD). Of 5 patients with stable paraganglioma, 2 had SD, 2 had PD, and in 1 patient treatment outcome could not be determined. Paraganglioma was stable in 3 patients in whom the disease status at the beginning of therapy was unknown. One of 4 patients with progressive meningioma had SD and 3 patients had PD. One patient with stable meningioma at the beginning of therapy had SD. All patients with SCLC or melanoma died within 5 mo after starting therapy because of tumor progression. Although not statistically significant, a positive trend was found between high uptake on pretherapy somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and treatment outcome.

CONCLUSION

177Lu-octreotate can be effective in patients with paraganglioma and meningioma. Response rates are lower than those in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Most meningiomas were very large. Further studies are needed to confirm the treatment outcome because of the limited number of patients. 177Lu-octreotate did not have antitumor effects in patients with small lung carcinoma and melanoma.

Radiolabeled somatostatin analog [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate in patients with endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors

PURPOSE

There are few treatment options for patients with metastasized or inoperable endocrine gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumors. Chemotherapy can be effective, but the response is usually less than 1 year. Here, we present the results of treatment with a radiolabeled somatostatin analog, [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate (177Lu-octreotate).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-one patients with somatostatin receptor-positive tumors were treated with up to a cumulative dose of 600 to 800 mCi (22.2 to 29.6 GBq) of 177Lu-octreotate.

RESULTS

One patient developed renal insufficiency, and another patient developed hepatorenal syndrome. Creatinine clearance did not change significantly in the other patients. WHO hematologic toxicity grade 3 or 4 occurred after less than 2% of the administrations. We observed complete remission in three patients (2%), partial remission in 32 patients (26%), minor response (tumor diameter decrease of 25% to 50%) in 24 patients (19%), stable disease (SD) in 44 patients (35%), and progressive disease (PD) in 22 patients (18%). Higher remission rates were positively correlated with high uptake on pretherapy somatostatin receptor imaging and a limited number of liver metastases, whereas PD was significantly more frequent in patients with a low performance score and extensive disease. Median time to progression in 103 patients who either had SD or tumor regression was more than 36 months.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with 177Lu-octreotate results in tumor remission in a high percentage of patients with GEP tumors. Serious side effects are rare. The median time to progression compares favorably with chemotherapy. Results are better in patients with a limited tumor load. Therefore, early treatment, even in patients who have no PD, may be better.

Tumor response after [(90)Y-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide radionuclide therapy in a transplantable rat tumor model is dependent on tumor size

A promising application of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs is peptide receptor-targeted radionuclide therapy of somatostatin receptor-expressing tumors. A suitable radionuclide is (90)Y, which emits high-energy beta-particles with a pathlength of several millimeters in tissue, making it especially promising for treatment of large tumors.

METHODS

We investigated the radiotherapeutic effect of different activities (111 and 370 MBq) of [(90)Y-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide in Lewis rats bearing somatostatin receptor-positive rat pancreatic CA20948 tumors of different size (0.08-15 cm(2)) in their flank.

RESULTS

Dose-dependent radiotherapeutic effects of (90)Y-labeled octreotide in this rat tumor model were found. Tumor control (100% complete response) was found in animals bearing tumors of 3-9 cm(2) (mean, 7.8 cm(2)) after intravenous injection of the highest activity (370 MBq [(90)Y-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide). In rats bearing tumors of < or =1 cm(2) or > or =14 cm(2), the effects were less pronounced (50% and 0% complete response, respectively). In tumors of < or =1 cm(2) the (90)Y radiation energy will not be absorbed completely in the tumor, whereas in tumors of > or =14 cm(2) the increased number of clonogenic and probably hypoxic tumor cells may explain the failure to reach a cure.

CONCLUSION

This study shows the ability of [(90)Y-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide to control tumor growth, especially in medium-sized tumors. The effect of radionuclide therapy appeared to be dependent on tumor size at the onset of therapy.

Somatostatin receptor-mediated imaging and therapy: basic science, current knowledge, limitations and future perspectives

In vivo somatostatin receptor-mediated scintigraphy has proven to be a valuable method for the visualisation of neuroendocrine tumours and their metastases. A new application is the use of radiolabelled analogues for somatostatin receptor-mediated therapy. This paper presents a review on the basic science, historical background and current knowledge of somatostatin receptor subtypes and their expression in neuroendocrine tumours. New somatostatin analogues, new chelators, "new" radionuclides and combinations thereof are also discussed. Due attention is given to limitations and future perspectives of somatostatin receptor-mediated imaging and therapy.

[177Lu-DOTAOTyr3]octreotate: comparison with [111In-DTPAo]octreotide in patients

The somatostatin analogue [DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate has a nine-fold higher affinity for the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 as compared with [DOTA0, Tyr3]octreotide. Also, labelled with the beta- and gamma-emitting radionuclide lutetium-177, this compound has been shown to have a very favourable impact on tumour regression and animal survival in a rat model. Because of these reported advantages over the analogues currently used for somatostatin receptor-mediated radiotherapy, we decided to compare [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate (177Lu-octreotate) with [111In-DTPA0]octreotide (111In-octreotide) in six patients with somatostatin receptor-positive tumours. Plasma radioactivity after 177Lu-octreotate expressed as a percentage of the injected dose was comparable with that after 111In-octreotide. Urinary excretion of radioactivity was significantly lower than after 111In-octreotide, averaging 64% after 24 h. The uptake after 24 h, expressed as a percentage of the injected dose of 177Lu-octreotate, was comparable to that after 111In-octreotide for kidneys, spleen and liver, but was three- to fourfold higher for four of five tumours. The spleen and kidneys received the highest absorbed doses. The doses to the kidneys were reduced by a mean of 47% after co-infusion of amino acids. It is concluded that in comparison with the radionuclide-coupled somatostatin analogues that are currently available for somatostatin receptor-mediated radiotherapy, 177Lu-octreotate potentially represents an important improvement. Higher absorbed doses can be achieved to most tumours, with about equal doses to potentially dose-limiting organs; furthermore, the lower tissue penetration range of 177Lu as compared with 90Y may be especially important for small tumours.

Cholecystokinin receptor imaging using an octapeptide DTPA-CCK analogue in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma

Cholecystokinin (CCK)-B receptors have been demonstrated on a high percentage of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC) in vitro. After encouraging results both in vitro and in animal studies, we studied the efficacy of an octapeptide [111In-DTPA]-CCK analogue in seven patients with MTC. In four of five patients in whom serum calcitonin levels were monitored, a significant rise was found following the injection, indicating retained biological activity of the radiopeptide. In all patients there was visualization of the CCK-B receptor-positive stomach. In one of two patients with known MTC lesions, some of the lesions were visualized; in addition some lesions were visualized in one of the five other patients who had elevated serum tumour markers but negative localizing studies. Radioactivity in the presumed tumour sites was still present at 48 h p.i. The uptake in the presumed tumour sites and stomach was low. Background radioactivity dropped rapidly owing to urinary excretion. After 1 h, breakdown products of the labelled analogue predominated both in urine and in serum, and virtually no intact peptide was present.

IN CONCLUSION

(1) the CCK-B receptor-positive gastric mucosa and presumed MTC lesions could be visualized in patients using an octapeptide [111In-DTPA]-CCK analogue that is probably internalized, proving the feasibility of CCK-B receptor imaging in vivo; (2) there was a relatively low uptake of the CCK analogue in the strongly CCK receptor positive stomach, and rapid degradation of the peptide in serum.

The role of radioactive somatostatin and its analogues in the control of tumor growth

Peptide receptor scintigraphy with the radioactive somatostatin analogue [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide is a sensitive and specific technique to show in vivo the presence and abundance of somatostatin receptors on various tumors. With this technique primary tumors and metastases of neuroendocrine cancers as well as of many other cancer types can be localized. This technique is currently used to assess the possibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with repeated administration of high doses of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide. 111In emits Auger and conversion electrons, having a tissue penetration of 0.02-10 microns and 200-500 microns, respectively. Thirty end-stage patients with mostly neuroendocrine progressing tumors were treated with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide, up to a maximal cumulative patient dose of about 74 GBq, in a phase-I trial. There were no major clinical side effects after up to 2 years of treatment, except that in a few patients a transient decline in platelet counts and lymphocyte subsets occurred. Promising beneficial effects on clinical symptoms, hormone production, and tumor proliferation were found. Of the 21 patients who received a cumulative dose of more than 20 GBq, eight showed stabilization of disease and six others a reduction in tumor size. There is a tendency towards better results in patients whose tumors have a higher accumulation of the radioligand. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is also feasible with 111In as the radionuclide. Theoretically, depending on the homogeneity of distribution of tumor cells expressing peptide receptors and the size of the tumor, beta-emitting radionuclides, e.g., 90Y, labeled to DOTA-chelated peptides may be more effective than 111In for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. The first peptide receptor radionuclide therapy trials with [90Y-DOTA-Tyr3]octreotide started recently.

Therapy of neuroendocrine tumors with radiolabeled somatostatin-analogues

Peptide receptor scintigraphy with the radioactive somatostatin-analogue [111In-DTPA0]octreotide (DTPA = diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is a sensitive and specific technique to show in vivo the presence and abundance of somatostatin receptors on various tumors. With this technique primary tumors and metastases of neuroendocrine cancers as well as of many other cancer types can be localised. A new application is the use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, administrating high doses of 111In- or 90Y-labeled octreotide-analogues. PRECLINICAL: We investigated the radiotherapeutic effect of 90Y- and 111In-labeled [DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide (DOTA = tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid) or [111In-DTPA0]octreotide in Lewis rats bearing the somatostatin receptor-positive rat pancreatic tumor CA20948 in A) the flank or B) in the liver.

PATIENTS

Thirty end-stage patients with mostly neuroendocrine progressing tumors were treated with [111In-DTPA0]octreotide, up to a maximal cumulative patient dose of about 74 GBq, in a phase 1 trial. PRECLINICAL RESULTS: A) Flank model: at least two 111MBq injections of [111In-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide were needed to reach tumor response, in 40% of the animals complete tumor remission was found after a follow-up period of 10 months. One or two injections of [90Y-DOTA0,Tyr3] octreotide yielded transient stable disease. B) Liver model: we found that peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is only effective if somatostatin receptors are present on the tumors, and is therefore receptor-mediated. High radioactive doses of 370 MBq [111In-DTPA0]octreotide or 93 MBq [90Y-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide can inhibit the growth of somatostatin receptor-positive metastases.

CLINICAL RESULTS

There were no major clinical side effects after up to 2 years treatment, except that a transient decline in platelet counts and lymphocyte subsets can occur. Promising beneficial effects on clinical symptoms, hormone production and tumor proliferation were found. Of the 21 patients with progressive disease at baseline and who received a cumulative dose of more than 20 GBq [111In-DTPA0]octreotide, 8 patients showed stabilisation of disease and 6 other patients a reduction in size of tumors. There is a tendency towards better results in patients whose tumors have a higher accumulation of the radioligand.

CONCLUSION

Radionuclide therapy with octreotide-derivatives is feasible, both with 111In and 90Y as radionuclides.

Scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy with [indium-111-labelled-diethyl triamine penta-acetic acid-D-Phe1]-octreotide

Peptide receptor scintigraphy with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide is a sensitive and specific technique to show in vivo the presence and abundance of somatostatin receptors on various tumours. With this technique primary tumours and metastases of neuroendocrine cancers as well as of many other cancer types can be localised. This technique is currently used to assess the possibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with repeated administrations of high doses of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide. 111In emits Auger and conversion electrons having a tissue penetration of 0.02 to 10 microns and 200 to 500 microns, respectively. Twenty end-stage patients, mostly with neuroendocrine progressing tumours, were treated with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide, up to a maximal cumulative patient dose of about 74 GBq, in a phase I trial. Results showed there were no major clinical side-effects after up to 2 years treatment, except that in a few patients a transient decline in platelet counts and lymphocyte subsets occurred. Promising beneficial effects on clinical symptoms, hormone production and tumour proliferation were found. Of the 16 patients who received a cumulative dose of more than 20 GBq, 5 patients showed stabilisation of disease and 5 other patients a reduction in size of tumours. There is a tendency towards better results in patients whose tumours have a higher accumulation of the radioligand. In conclusion, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is feasible, also with 111In as radionuclide. Theoretically, depending on the homogeneity of distribution of tumour cells expressing peptide receptors, beta-emitting radionuclides, e.g. 90Y, labelled to DOTA-chelated peptides may be more effective than 111In for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. The first peptide receptor radionuclide therapy trials with [90Y-DOTA-Tyr3]-octreotide started recently.

Radiolabelled somatostatin analogue(s) for peptide receptor scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy

BACKGROUND

Peptide receptor scintigraphy with the radioactive somatostatin analogue, [111In-DTPA0]octreotide, is a sensitive and specific technique to show in vivo the presence and abundance of somatostatin receptors on various tumours.

AIM

With this technique primary tumours and metastases of neuroendocrine cancers as well as of many other cancer-types can be localised. This technique is currently used to assess the possibility of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with repeated administrations of high doses of [111In-DTPA0)octreotide. 111In emits Auger and conversion electrons having a tissue penetration of 0.02-10 microns and 200 to 500 microns, respectively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty end-stage patients with mostly neuroendocrine progressing tumours were treated with [111In-DTPA0]octreotide, up to a maximal cumulative patient dose of about 74 GBq, in a phase I trial.

RESULTS

There were no major clinical side effects after up to two years treatment, except that in a few patients a transient decline in platelets counts and lymphocyte subsets occurred. Promising beneficial effects on clinical symptoms, hormone production and tumour proliferation were found. Of the 21 patients who received a cumulative dose of more than 20 GBq, eight patients showed stabilisation of disease and six other patients a reduction in size of tumours. There is a tendency towards better results in patients whose tumours have a higher accumulation of the radioligand.

CONCLUSIONS

PRRT is feasible, also with 111In as radionuclide. Depending on the homogeneity of distribution of tumour cells expressing peptide receptors and the size of the tumour, beta-emitting radionuclides, e.g., 90Y, labelled to DOTA-chelated peptides, are also attractive candidates for PRRT. The first PRRT trials with [90Y-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide started recently.

Comparison of 111In-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide and 111In-DTPA-octreotide in the same patients: biodistribution, kinetics, organ and tumor uptake

Scintigraphy with [111In-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid0-D-Phe1]-octreotide (DTPAOC) is used to demonstrate neuroendocrine and other somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors. Despite encouraging results, this 111In-labeled compound is not well suited for peptide-receptor-mediated radiotherapy of somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors. Another somatostatin analog, [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N'''-tetraacetic acid0, D-Phe1, Tyr3]-octreotide (DOTATOC), can be labeled with the beta-emitter 90Y in a stable manner.

METHODS

We compared the distribution, kinetics and dosimetry of 111In-DTPAOC and 111In-DOTATOC in eight patients to predict the outcomes of these parameters in patients who will be treated with 90Y-DOTATOC.

RESULTS

Serum radioactivity levels for the radiopharmaceuticals did not differ significantly 2-24 h after injection (P>0.05). Up to 2 h postinjection they were slightly, but significantly, lower after administration of 111In-DOTATOC (P < 0.01 at most time points). The percentage of peptide-bound radioactivity in serum did not differ after administration of either compound. Urinary excretion was significantly lower after administration of 111In-DOTATOC (P < 0.01). The visualization of known somatostatin-receptor-positive organs and tumors was clearer after administration of 111In-DOTATOC than after administration of 111In-DTPAOC. This was confirmed by significantly higher calculated uptakes in the pituitary gland and spleen. The uptake in the tumor sites did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), although in three of the four patients in whom tumor uptake could be calculated, it was higher after administration of 111In-DOTATOC.

CONCLUSION

The distribution and excretion pattern of 111In-DOTATOC resembles that of 111In-DTPAOC, and the uptake in somatostatin-receptor-positive organs and most tumors is higher for 111In-DOTATOC. If 90Y-DOTATOC shows an uptake pattern similar to 111In-DOTATOC, it is a promising radiopharmaceutical for peptide-receptor-mediated radiotherapy in patients with somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors.

Lung clearance of intratracheally instilled 99mTc-tobramycin using pulmonary surfactant as vehicle

1. The use of pulmonary exogenous surfactant as a vehicle for intratracheally administered antibiotics to improve local antimicrobial therapy has been proposed. The present study investigated lung clearance rates in the rat of intratracheally instilled technetium labelled tobramycin with and without the addition of surfactant to the antibiotic solution. 2. The influence of surfactant on 99mTc-tobramycin lung clearance rates was studied dynamically with a gamma-camera in anaesthetized spontaneously breathing animals and in mechanically ventilated animals. 3. The results show that instillation of 99mTc-tobramycin with use of surfactant as vehicle significantly increases 99mTc-tobramycin lung clearance compared to instillation of 99mTc-tobramycin solution alone (P=0.006 between the two spontaneously breathing groups of animals and P=0.02 between the two ventilated groups of animals, ANOVA for repeated time measurements). The half life (t1/2) of composite clearance curves in spontaneous breathing animals was 147 min for animals receiving 99mTc-tobramycin versus 61 min for animals receiving 99mTc-tobramycin with surfactant. In mechanically ventilated animals this was 163 min versus 51 min, respectively. 4. It is concluded that exogenous surfactant, used as vehicle for intratracheally instilled 99mTc-tobramycin, increases lung clearance rate of 99mTc-tobramycin in rats.

Comparison of (111)In-labeled somatostatin analogues for tumor scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy

We evaluated the following (111)In-labeled somatostatin (SS) analogues (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, DTPA; tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid, DOTA): [DTPA0]octreotide, [DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotide, [DTPA0,D-Tyr1]octreotide, [DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate [Thr(ol) in octreotide replaced with Thr], and [DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide, in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, all compounds showed high and specific binding to SS receptors in mouse pituitary AtT20 tumor cell membranes, and IC50s were in the nanomolar range. Furthermore, all compounds showed specific internalization in rat pancreatic tumor cells; uptake of [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate was the highest of the compounds tested, and that of [(111)In-DTPA0,D-Tyr1]octreotide was the lowest. Biodistribution experiments in rats showed that, 4, 24, and 48 h after injection of [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotide, [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate, and [(111)In-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide, radioactivity in the octreotide-binding, receptor-expressing tissues and tumor-to-blood ratios were significantly higher than those after injection of [(111)In-DTPA0]octreotide. Uptake of [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate in the target organs was also, in vivo, the highest of the radiolabeled peptides tested, whereas that of [(111)In-DTPA0,D-Tyr1]octreotide was the lowest. Uptake of [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotide, [(111)In-DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate, and [(111)In-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotide in target tissues was blocked by >90% by 0.5 mg of unlabeled octreotide, indicating specific binding to the octreotide receptors. Blockade of [(111)In-DTPA0,D-Tyr1]octreotide was >70%. In conclusion, radiolabeled [DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotide and, especially, [DTPA0,Tyr3]octreotate and their DOTA-coupled counterparts are most promising for scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy of SS receptor-positive tumors in humans.

Radiation dosimetry for indium-111-pentetreotide

We present radiation dose estimates for 111In-pentetreotide.

METHODS

Kinetic data were gathered in 10 subjects at two different sites. A compartmental model was used to fit the data, including retention, in three major organs and excretion.

RESULTS

The data were consistent for the subjects at both sites. The organ receiving the highest dose was the kidneys (0.52 mGy/MBq); the effective dose equivalent was 0.1 mSv/MBq, and the effective dose was 0.073 mSv/MBq.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide the basis for evaluation of radiation safety of this drug.

Studies on radiolabeled somatostatin analogues in rats and in patients

We present the pharmacokinetical aspects of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in rats with the radioiodinated [Tyr3]octreotide and 111In-labeled [DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide. The residence time of both radionuclides in somatostatin receptor-positive tissues and tumors is completely different, indicating the difference in metabolism of the two radiopharmaceuticals. The effects of the injected radioactive dose and mass of the radioligand and its injection rate on the biodistribution is intensively studied. We found in rat that the uptake of radioactivity in somatostatin receptor-positive tissues is a bell-shaped function of the injected mass depending on the tissue under study, being optimal between 0.5-5 micrograms. This indicates that the sensitivity of the detection of somatostatin receptor-positive tumor by receptor scintigraphy may be improved by varying the mass of the radiopharmaceutical, which has also been confirmed in patient studies. Priming with somatostatin analogues at various time points relative to the radioligand was studied as well. In all the somatostatin receptor-positive tissues we found a significant change in % injected dose uptake of radioactivity, depending on the ligand, its mass and the tissue under study. This might also be a means to increase the target to background ratio in somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. The possible role of the radiopharmaceutical [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]RC-160 in somatostatin scintigraphy in visualizing somatostatin receptor-positive tumors that do not bind octreotide, for instance somatostatin receptor subtype 4, is discussed. Internalization of the receptor-ligand and metabolism of the radioiodinated and 111In-labeled somatostatin analogues were studied in vitro and in vivo to get insight into metabolism of the radioligand. Internalization of the radioligand is of special importance when radiotherapy of certain somatostatin receptor-positive human tumors with alpha- or beta-emitting radiolabeled somatostatin analogues is considered. Further, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with several radionuclides is reviewed.

Somatostatin receptor: scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy

Peptide receptor scintigraphy is more sensitive at the biological than anatomical level, in contrast to conventional imaging, which it complements. Neuroendocrine tumours have the most somatostatin receptors in vitro and their metastases are somatostatin receptor positive in vitro, so that [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide (OCT) can be used to image them. OCT was compared with conventional imaging techniques (CON) in a European Multicentre Trial. In 350 evaluable patients, CON detected 88%, and OCT 80% (glucagonomas 100%, VIPomas 88%, carcinoids 87%, non-functioning islet cell tumours 82%, insulinomas 46%) of tumour sites but there was no systematic use of abdominal single-photon-emission computerised tomography. OCT demonstrated multiple tumour sites in 62 of 178 patients in whom CON had found only 1 lesion, with 60% confirmed. 12/16 lesions detected by OCT in 11 patients with no lesions according to CON were also confirmed. The impact of OCT on management was evaluated in 235 patients and affected 40%: it determined 29 surgical decisions, led to octreotide therapy in 47, and modified octreotide dose in 18. Six end-stage patients with neuroendocrine tumours were treated with OCT radionuclide therapy (up to a cumulative dose of 53 GBq per patient) in a phase I trial. There were no major side-effects after up to 2 years treatment, with impressive effects on hormone production and a likely anti-proliferative effect.

Effect of dose and specific activity on tissue distribution of indium-111-pentetreotide in rats

To increase the target-to-background ratio in receptor scintigraphy, we hypothesized that receptor scintigraphy is best performed using the lowest possible mass with the highest possible specific radioactivity of the radioligand.

METHODS

Rats were injected with 2 or 10 micrograms of unlabeled octreotide or 2 or 10 micrograms of 111In-pentetreotide. Scintigraphic images were then obtained from 10 min before to 20 min after the 111In injection.

RESULTS

In some instances, there was a significant increase in 111In uptake in somatostatin receptor-positive organs. In others, there was a significant decrease. Since no significant differences were found in background radioactivity in the percent dose uptake of 111In in receptor-negative organs, these data indicate that target-to-background ratios can be increased by the administration of nonradiolabeled peptides under select conditions.

CONCLUSION

The uptake of 111In-pentetreotide in somatostatin receptor-positive organs results in a tissue-specific bell-shaped function of the injected mass of the radiopharmaceutical. This curve may also apply to somatostatin receptor-positive tumors, the visualization of which may be enhanced by optimizing the mass of 111In-pentetreotide.

Hepatobiliary handling of iodine-125-Tyr3-octreotide and indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide by isolated perfused rat liver

Radiolabeled bioactive peptides may show receptor-mediated binding to tumors, making them suitable for scintigraphic imaging. The liver is an important organ for peptide clearance. To gain insight into the uptake and intracellular processing of somatostatin analogs, we compared the hepatobiliary handling of 125I-Tyr3-octreotide and 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide, which are successfully used to image somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in vivo in isolated recirculating perfused rat livers. Sixty minutes following administration of the radiolabeled peptides, perfusion medium and biliary radioactivity were analyzed. Radioiodinated Tyr3-octreotide was rapidly cleared by the liver and 60% of the dose was excreted intact into the bile after 60 min. In contrast, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide was not cleared by the liver; medium radioactivity levels remained about constant and only 2% of the dose was found in the bile. These results are in agreement with in vivo findings in rats and humans. We concluded that isolated rat liver perfusion is a good system to rapidly gain insight into the hepatic handling of radiopharmaceuticals.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]- and [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide: the Rotterdam experience with more than 1000 patients

Various tumours, classically specified as either neuroendocrine or non-neuroendocrine, contain high numbers of somatostatin receptors, which enable in vivo localization of the primary tumour and its metastases by scintigraphy with the radiolabelled somatostatin analogue octreotide. In addition granulomas and autoimmune processes can be visualized because of local accumulation of somatostatin receptor-positive activated mononuclear leucocytes. In many instances a positive scintigram predicts a favourable response to treatment with octreotide. It is tempting to speculate that octreotide labelled with an appropriate radionuclide might be used in cancer therapy. The successful application of radiolabelled octreotide in scintigraphy indicates the possible usefulness of other radiolabelled peptides, either native peptides or derivatives of these, in, for example, nuclear oncology. The small size of these peptides, e.g. bombesin and substance P, is of the utmost importance for a relatively fast blood clearance, thus leading to low background radioactivity. In this way peptides are powerful alternatives to (fragments of) monoclonal antibodies, the application of which to scintigraphic localization of specific cell surface antigen-bearing tumours is plagued by slow blood clearance and, hence, high background levels.

Octreotide scintigraphy for the detection of paragangliomas

Paragangliomas have neuroendocrine characteristics. We previously described successful in vivo visualization of various tumors of neuroendocrine origin after injection of the radiolabeled somatostatin analogue octreotide. In this study, we report the results of 111In-octreotide scintigraphy in 34 patients referred because of known paragangliomas or in whom a paraganglioma was suspected and compared the results of octreotide scintigraphy with the outcomes of other imaging techniques used in the diagnosis or follow-up of these patients. Fifty of 53 (94%) known localizations in 25 patients with paragangliomas were visualized. In two patients, three localizations were missed during octreotide scintigraphy. Unexpected additional paraganglioma sites, not detected or not investigated with conventional imaging techniques, were found in 9 of 25 patients (36%) with known paragangliomas. In four of them, the supposed tumor localizations were thereafter also demonstrated with other imaging modalities. In eight of nine patients who were referred because of symptoms consistent with paraganglioma or follow-up after surgical removal of a paraganglioma, neither routine imaging nor octreotide scintigraphy revealed any abnormalities indicative of paraganglioma. We conclude that: (1) virtually all paragangliomas can be visualized using in vivo 111In-octreotide scintigraphy and (2) because conventional imaging is usually limited to the site where a paraganglioma is clinically suspected, octreotide scintigraphy, because of the information it provides on potential tumor sites in the whole body, may be useful in detecting multicentricity or metastases in patients with paraganglioma.

Somatostatin analogue scintigraphy in carcinoid tumours

Scintigraphy with iodine-123 or indium-111 labelled somatostatin analogue (octreotide) was performed in 52 patients diagnosed as, suspected of, or at risk of having carcinoid tumours. In 32 of 37 (86%) patients in whom histologically proven carcinoids were still present, known tumour sites were visualized. Using 123I-coupled octreotide, 24 of 40 (60%) known extrahepatic sites were visualized, whereas all of 12 (100%) extrahepatic lesions were visualized after injection of 111In-coupled octreotide. Known liver metastases were not distinctly visualized with octreotide scintigraphy in 12 of 24 patients. In all but two of these cases, an even distribution of radioactivity in the liver was observed. This is most probably due to the fact that these liver metastases accumulated about as much radioactivity as does normal liver tissue. Previously unsuspected localizations or sites not recognized with other imaging techniques were found in 20 of the 37 patients. In 3 of 11 patients who were thought to have been surgically cured, and in 4 of 4 patients who were suspected of having carcinoids, octreotide scintigraphy showed abnormal accumulation of radioactivity. Histological or radiological evidence that additional sites noticed on octreotide scintigrams indeed represented tumour tissue was obtained in ten patients. Visualization of the carcinoids did not depend on the site of the tumour or on the presence or absence of hormonal hypersecretion, as measured by urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and serum alpha-subunit concentrations. Apart from its use for tumour localization, octreotide scintigraphy, in consequence of its ability to demonstrate somatostatin receptor positive tumours, could be used to select those patients with the carcinoid syndrome who are likely to respond favourably to octreotide treatment.

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide in man: metabolism, dosimetry and comparison with iodine-123-Tyr-3-octreotide

Scintigraphy with 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide has several major drawbacks as regards its metabolic behavior, its cumbersome preparation and the short physical half-life of the radionuclide. The use of another radiolabeled analog of somatostatin, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide, has consequently been proposed. DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide can be radiolabeled with 111In in an easy single-step procedure. DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide is cleared predominantly via the kidneys. Fecal excretion of radioactivity amounts to only a few percent of the administered radioactivity. For the radiation dose to normal tissues, the most important organs are the kidneys, the spleen, the urinary bladder, the liver and the remainder of the body. The calculated effective dose equivalent is 0.08 mSv/MBq. Optimal 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide scintigraphic imaging of various somatostatin receptor-positive tumors was obtained 24 hr after injection. In the six patients studied, tumor localization with 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide and with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide were found to be similar. However, the normal pituitary is more frequently visualized with the latter radiopharmaceutical. In conclusion, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide appears to be a sensitive somatostatin receptor-positive tissue-seeking radiopharmaceutical with some remarkable advantages: easy preparation, general availability, appropriate half-life and absence of major interference in the upper abdominal region, because of its renal clearance. Therefore, 111In-DTPA-D-Phe-1-octreotide may be suitable for use in SPECT of the abdomen, which is important in the localization of small endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors.

Somatostatin receptor imaging of endocrine gastrointestinal tumors

Somatostatin receptors are present on various tumors of neuroendocrine origin. We recently developed a technique for the in vivo visualization of somatostatin receptor positive tumors, which offers a powerful alternative to tumor imaging with labeled monoclonal antibodies. Instead of injecting radiolabeled antibodies against the somatostatin receptor, we labeled a somatostatin analogue ([Tyr3]-octreotide) which is known to bind specifically to the somatostatin receptor, and injected this labeled hormone analogue in order to visualize somatostatin receptor positive tumors. We previously reported the successful visualization of the primary tumors or metastases of various endocrine gastrointestinal tumors after injection of the iodinated somatostatin analogue [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide. The primary tumors or metastases of 12 out of 13 carcinoids, 3 out of 3 gastrinomas, 2 out of 4 insulinomas, and 1 out of 1 somatostatinoma were visualized. Using 111In-coupled octreotide, we were able to visualize 19 out of 19 carcinoids, 7 out of 7 gastrinomas, 4 out of 7 insulinomas, 1 out of 1 glucagonoma, and 3 out of 3 non-functioning endocrine pancreatic tumors, but none of 18 exocrine pancreatic tumors. In a large proportion of patients with endocrine gastrointestinal tumors, previously unrecognized metastases were demonstrated. Also, the absence or presence of in vivo visualization of these tumors after the injection of radiolabeled octreotide seems to predict the ability of octreotide therapy to control symptoms caused by hormonal secretion from these tumors.

IN CONCLUSION

111In-octreotide scintigraphy is a simple and sensitive technique for localizing of the primary tumor and its metastases in the majority of patients with carcinoids or endocrine pancreatic tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Forced hydration prior to renography in children with hydronephrosis. An evaluation

We have developed a method of diuretic renography for the assessment of upper urinary tract obstruction in children. A maximal diuresis under standardised conditions is obtained by forced intravenous hydration over a 2-h period prior to renography. We evaluated the predictive value of this method for the clinical and functional outcome in 73 children with apparent unilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction. The predictive value of a non-obstructive pattern was 94%, while the predictive value of an obstructive pattern could not be assessed accurately because the patients concerned subsequently underwent operation. The method is safe and reliable and offers advantages over conventional diuretic renography.

The selenium-75-homocholic acid taurine test reevaluated: combined measurement of fecal selenium-75 activity and 3 alpha-hydroxy bile acids in 211 patients

The recommended reference values for the selenium-75-homocholic acid taurine (75SeHCAT) test, used in the analysis of chronic diarrhea, were evaluated in 211 patients by comparing simultaneous measurements of 3 alpha-hydroxy bile acids and 75Se activity in daily collected stools. An initial evaluation in 11 patients showed that the fecal collection method, which allows inspection and additional analysis of stools, was equivalent to the abdominal retention method. Selenium-75-HCAT whole-body retention half-life (WBR50) was greater than 2.8 days in less than 10% of the patients with bile acid malabsorption and less than 1.7 days in less than 10% of the normals. We recommend that a 75SeHCAT WBR50 less than 1.7 days is abnormal, a WBR50 greater than 2.8 days is normal, and a WBR50 in the range 1.7-2.8 days is equivocal, which was the case in 48% (94/195) of the patients in this study.

In vivo use of a radioiodinated somatostatin analogue: dynamics, metabolism, and binding to somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in man

Somatostatin analogues, labeled with gamma-emitting radionuclides, are of potential value in the localization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors with gamma camera imaging. We investigated the application in man of a radioiodinated analogue of somatostatin, 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide, which has similar biologic characteristics as the native peptide. The radiopharmaceutical is cleared rapidly from the circulation (up to 85% of the dose after 10 min) mainly by the liver. Liver radioactivity is rapidly excreted into the biliary system. Until 3 hr after injection, radioactivity in the circulation is mainly in the form of 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide. Thereafter, plasma samples contain increasing proportions of free iodide. Similarly, during the first hours after injection, radioactivity in the urine exists mainly in the form of the unchanged peptide. Thereafter, a progressive increase in radioiodide excretion is observed, indicating degradation of the radiopharmaceutical in vivo. Fecal excretion of radioactivity amounts to only a few percent of the dose. The calculated median effective dose equivalent is comparable with values for applications of other 123I-radiopharmaceuticals (0.019 mSv/MBq).

In vivo application of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide for detection of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in rats

Radioiodinated somatostatin analogues are useful ligands for the in vitro and in vivo detection of somatostatin receptors. [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide, a somatostatin analogue labeled with a different radionuclide, also binds specifically to somatostatin receptors in vitro. In this study we investigated its in vivo application in the visualization of somatostatin receptor-positive tumors in rats. The distribution of the radiopharmaceutical was investigated after intravenous injection in normal rats and in rats bearing the somatostatin receptor-positive rat pancreatic carcinoma CA 20948. After injection the radiopharmaceutical was rapidly cleared (50% decrease in maximal blood radioactivity in 4 min), predominantly by the kidneys. Excreted radioactivity was mainly in the form of the intact radiopharmaceutical. Ex vivo autoradiographic studies showed that specific accumulation of radioactivity occurred in somatostatin receptor-containing tissue (anterior pituitary gland). However, in contrast to the adrenals and pituitary, the tracer accumulation in the kidneys was not mediated by somatostatin receptors. Increasing radioactivity over the somatostatin receptor-positive tumors was measured rapidly after injection and the tumors were clearly visualized by gamma camera scintigraphy. In rats pretreated with 1 mg octreotide accumulation of [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide in the tumors was prevented. Because of its relatively long effective half-life, [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide is a radionuclide-coupled somatostatin analogue which can be used to visualize somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors efficiently after 24 hr, when interfering background radioactivity is minimized by renal clearance. This is an advantage over the previously used [123I-Tyr3]-octreotide which has a shorter effective half-life and shows high abdominal interference due to its hepato-biliary clearance. Therefore, [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]-octreotide seems a better alternative for scintigraphic imaging of somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors.

Bone mass in women with primary biliary cirrhosis: the relation with histological stage and use of glucocorticoids

To assess the impact of primary biliary cirrhosis on bone mass in general and the relative importance of the stage of the liver disease and of treatment with glucocorticoids for the possible development of osteoporosis, bone mineral mass was measured by single and dual photon absorptiometry in 55 unselected female patients with longstanding primary biliary cirrhosis. Although most of the patients had a bone mineral density within the normal range, the bone mineral densities of the lumbar spine and distal and proximal forearm were 8% (P less than 0.004), 8% (P less than 0.03), and 5% (NS) respectively, lower than in age-matched healthy women. Multiple regression analysis showed that the histological stage of the liver disease (early stage vs. late stage) was an independent determinant of axial bone mineral density, whereas the use of glucocorticoids resulted in only a moderate and not significant bone loss. Serum calcium proved to be significantly lower in the patients with late-stage primary biliary cirrhosis than in those with early-stage disease, whereas no significant differences were found in these groups with regard to several biochemical parameters of bone metabolism. In conclusion, in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, bone loss was only moderate and related to the histological stage. The effect of low-dose glucocorticoids on bone mass seemed not significant.

Receptor scintigraphy with a radioiodinated somatostatin analogue: radiolabeling, purification, biologic activity, and in vivo application in animals

Radioiodinated Tyr-3-octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, is a useful ligand for the in vitro detection of somatostatin receptors. In this study, we have investigated the possible in vivo application of this radioligand in the detection of somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors by scintigraphy. The specific somatostatin-like biologic activity of radioiodinated Tyr-3-octreotide was confirmed in vitro: (a) radioiodinated Tyr-3-octreotide competes in the nanomolar range with specific receptor binding of somatostatin to suspended human meningioma membranes and (b) the secretion of growth hormone by cultured rat pituitary cells was similarly inhibited by iodinated Tyr-3-octreotide and somatostatin. In rats, intravenously injected 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide is rapidly cleared from the circulation mainly by the liver. Although this rapid clearance limits the amount of tracer available for somatostatin receptor-bearing tumors, the advantage of this rapid clearance is that the background level is rapidly reduced in favor of scintigraphic imaging of these tumors. Pancreatic tumors in rats were localized by scintigraphy after intravenous injection of 123I-Tyr-3-octreotide.

Localisation of endocrine-related tumours with radioiodinated analogue of somatostatin

Various endocrine-related tumours contain large numbers of high-affinity somatostatin receptors. 123I-labelled tyr-3-octreotide (tyr-3-SMS 201-995, a synthetic derivative of somatostatin) was used to localise such tumours in vivo with a gamma-camera. Positive scans were obtained for two meningiomas, two gastrinomas, and one carcinoid; negative scans were obtained for one insulinoma (in which unlabelled octreotide had no effect on insulin levels), one phaeochromocytoma, one adrenal carcinoma (octreotide had no effect on cortisol levels), and three medullary thyroid carcinomas (octreotide had no effect on calcitonin levels). Thus radioiodinated tyr-3-octreotide can label somatostatin receptors in endocrine-related tumours in vivo and can therefore be used for tumour localisation.

Improvement in transient and 'persistent' perfusion defects on early and late post-exercise thallium-201 tomograms after coronary artery bypass grafting

In order to assess the changes in the number and severity of transient and persistent myocardial perfusion defects before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), early and late post-exercise thallium-201 (tl-201) tomography was performed in 25 patients, on average 10 days before and 2.5 months after CABG. Six patients had a previous Q wave myocardial infarction. Comparing the pre- and post-CABG exercise test data (symptom limited bicycle ergometry) showed an improvement in working capacity (from 129 +/- 34 to 145 +/- 35 W, P less than 0.05) and a reduction in exercise induced angina from 77 to 9% of the patients (P less than 0.001). From the tomographic data, six short axis and three sagittal cross-sections of the left ventricular myocardium were reconstructed. In each patient study, a total of 51 myocardial segments were defined and analysed in a semi-quantitative manner by means of a five point scoring method indicative of the severity of a defect (from 0 = normal tl-201 uptake to 4 = absence of tl-201 activity). In this patient population the total number of segments with transient tl-201 perfusion defects decreased from 11.0 +/- 7 segments per patient (mean +/- SD) before surgery to 4.9 +/- 4 after surgery (P less than 0.01); the number of segments with 'persistent' tl-201 defects decreased as well, from 7.5 +/- 6 to 3.9 +/- 4 segments per patient (P less than 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical validation of fully automated computation of ejection fraction from gated equilibrium blood-pool scintigrams

A fully automated procedure for the computation of left-ventricular ejection fraction (EF) from cardiac-gated Tc-99m blood-pool (GBP) scintigrams with fixed, dual, and variable ROI methods is described. By comparison with EF data from contrast ventriculography in 68 patients, the dual-ROI method (separate end-diastolic and end-systolic contours) was found to be the method of choice; processing time was 2 min. Success score of dual-ROI procedure was 92% as assessed from 100 GBP studies. Overall reproducibility of data acquisition and analysis was determined in 12 patients. Mean value and standard deviation of differences between repeat studies (average time interval 27 min) were 0.8% and 4.3% EF units, respectively, (r = 0.98). We conclude that left-ventricular EF can be computed automatically from GBP scintigrams with minimal operator-interaction and good reproducibility; EFs are similar to those from contrast ventriculography.