Tumor response assessment to treatment with [ 177Lu-DOTA 0,Tyr 3]octreotate in patients with gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial neuroendocrine tumors: Differential response of bone versus soft-tissue lesions

Esther I. Van Vliet, John J. Hermans, Maria A. De Ridder, Jaap J. Teunissen, Boen L. Kam, Ronald R. De Krijger, Eric P. Krenning, Dik J. Kwekkeboom

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16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have noted that bone lesions on CT respond differently from soft-tissue lesions to treatment with [ 177Lu-DOTA 0,Tyr 3]octreotate ( 177Lu-octreotate). We therefore compared the response of bone lesions with that of soft-tissue lesions to treatment with 177Luoctreotate in patients with gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods: Forty-two patients with well-differentiated NETs who had bone metastases that were positive on [ 111In-DTPA 0]octreotide somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) before treatment, and who had soft-tissue lesions, were studied. All patients had had a minimum of 1 follow-up CT scan. Lesions were scored on CT and bone lesions also on SRS before and after treatment. Tumor markers (chromogranin A and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) before and after treatment were compared. Results: Because bone lesions were not visible on CT before treatment in 11 of 42 patients (26%), bone and softtissue lesions were evaluated in 31 patients. Whereas bone lesions increased in size, soft-tissue lesions decreased in size. The percentage change in bone and soft-tissue lesions was significantly different at all time points up to 12 mo of follow-up (P < 0.001). The intensity or number of bone lesions on SRS decreased after treatment in 19 of 23 patients (83%) in whom SRS after treatment was available. The tumor markers also decreased significantly after treatment. In 1 patient, bone lesions became visible on CT after treatment, mimicking progressive disease with "new" bone lesions, although there was an overall treatment response. Conclusion: In patients with NETs, the apparent increase in size of bone lesions or the appearance of new bone lesions on CT after treatment with 177Lu-octreotate should be interpreted cautiously, as this finding may be therapy-related rather than indicative of tumor progression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1359-1366
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine
Volume53
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • [ Lu-DOTA ,Tyr ]octreotate
  • Bonemetastases
  • Neuroendocrine tumor
  • Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy
  • Treatment response

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