RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING AND THERAPY OF NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOURS

Abstract

The incidence and prevalence of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are on the rise. Although NETs are a heterogeneous group of tumours, they have some similar properties, for example, that they can concentrate neuroamines and tend to have a high degree of somatostatin receptor (SSR) expression. These mechanisms can be exploited and this article discusses the important role of radionculide imaging and radionculide therapy in the management of NETs based on these mechanisms. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the role of radionuclide imaging in NETs both in terms of SSR imaging and neuroamine (metaiodobenzylguanidine [MIBG]) imaging. We discuss state-of- the-art 68Ga-radiopeptide imaging and indications for it use. We also discuss the role of 18F-FDG and other tracers in the management of NETs. The second half of the article focuses on radiotargeted treatment of NETs, discussing I-131 MIBG therapy and focussing on the emergence of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. We discuss the clinical results, toxicities and patient selection for PRRT. Key words: DOTA octreotide, DOTATATE, Ga-68, Lu-177, metaiodobenzylguanidine, neuroendocrine tumours, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, Y-90