Targeted Radionuclide Therapy with ⁹⁰Y-DOTATOC in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of targeted radionuclide therapy with [⁹⁰Y-DOTA⁰,Tyr³]-octreotide (⁹⁰Y-DOTATOC) in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. Patients and Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors were included. All patients were pretherapeutically staged with morphological imaging procedures and with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. The scintigraphy was positive in all cases. The patients were treated with 162-200 mCi/m² body surface. In 57 patients, the quality of life was assessed with the National Cancer Institute grading criteria (NCI-CTC). Restaging was performed 8 - 12 weeks after the last treatment cycle. Blood samples were drawn every 2 weeks after the treatment to evaluate toxicity. Results: Complete remissions were found in 4%, partial remissions in 23%, stabilization in 62% and progressive disease in 11%. A significant reduction of symptoms was found in 83%. No serious adverse event occurred and the toxicity was acceptable. Conclusion: ⁹⁰Y-DOTATOC is a safe and effective treatment for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.