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Updated: May 30, 2026
A Practical Guide for the Production and PET/CT Imaging of 68Ga-DOTATATE for Neuroendocrine Tumors in Daily Clinical Practice
Published on: April 17, 2019
First clinical evidence that imaging with somatostatin receptor antagonists is feasible
Damian Wild1, Melpomeni Fani, Martin Behe
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. damian.wild@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Unlabelled:
Preclinical studies have indicated that somatostatin receptor (sst)-expressing tumors demonstrate higher uptake of radiolabeled sst antagonists than of sst agonists. In this study, we evaluated whether imaging with sst antagonists was feasible in patients.
Methods:
Biodistribution and tumor uptake of the sst antagonist (111)In-DOTA-pNO(2)-Phe-c(DCys-Tyr-DTrp-Lys-Thr-Cys)DTyrNH(2) ((111)In-DOTA-BASS) were studied in 5 patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumors. Findings were compared with (111)In-pentetreotid ((111)In-DTPA-octreotide) scan.
Results:
No adverse effects of (111)In-DOTA-BASS (20 μg) were observed. (111)In-DOTA-BASS detected 25 of 28 lesions, whereas (111)In-DTPA-octreotide detected only 17 of 28 lesions. In the same patient, (111)In-DOTA-BASS showed higher tumor and lower renal uptake than (111)In-DTPA-octreotide (3.5 ± 2.8 percentage injected activity [%IA] vs. 1.0 ± 0.99%IA and 1.5 ± 0.3 %IA vs. 2.3 ± 0.7 %IA) at 4 h after injection.
Conclusion:
Imaging of neuroendocrine tumors with sst antagonists is clinically feasible. The favorable human biodistribution data suggest that sst antagonists could significantly affect peptide receptor-mediated imaging and therapy.
Insights
Imaging neuroendocrine tumors with somatostatin receptor (sst) antagonists is feasible. (111)In-DOTA-BASS showed superior lesion detection and favorable biodistribution compared to sst agonists in patients.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Oncology
- Radiopharmacy
Background:
- Preclinical studies suggest somatostatin receptor (sst)-expressing tumors have higher uptake of radiolabeled sst antagonists than agonists.
- This indicates potential for improved diagnostic imaging of these tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical feasibility of imaging with sst antagonists.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of an sst antagonist with an sst agonist in patients.
Main Methods:
- Biodistribution and tumor uptake of (111)In-DOTA-BASS (sst antagonist) were studied in 5 patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumors.
- Findings were compared with (111)In-pentetreotid ((111)In-DTPA-octreotide) scans.
Main Results:
- No adverse effects were observed with (111)In-DOTA-BASS.
- (111)In-DOTA-BASS detected 25 of 28 lesions, outperforming (111)In-DTPA-octreotide's detection of 17 of 28 lesions.
- (111)In-DOTA-BASS demonstrated higher tumor uptake and lower renal uptake compared to (111)In-DTPA-octreotide.
Conclusions:
- Imaging neuroendocrine tumors using sst antagonists is clinically feasible.
- Favorable biodistribution data suggest sst antagonists could significantly advance peptide receptor-mediated imaging and therapy.
