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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
![Automated Preparation of [68Ga]Ga-3BP-3940 on a Synthesis Module for PET Imaging of the Tumor Microenvironment](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F68356.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Automated Preparation of [68Ga]Ga-3BP-3940 on a Synthesis Module for PET Imaging of the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: April 25, 2025
Comparison between F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose and Ga-68 DOTATOC in metastasized melanoma
Claudia Brogsitter1, Klaus Zöphel, Gerd Wunderlich
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. claudia.brogsitter@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Purpose:
Somatostatin binding to somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) is known to have an antiproliferative effect in neuroendocrine tumours. Melanoma cells are derived from the neural crest and thus express SSTR. Treatment options in metastasized melanomas are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether there is a relevant uptake of the SSTR analogue DOTATOC in metastasized melanoma patients, which could be used for therapy with radiolabelled SSTR analogues.
Materials And Methods:
We investigated 18 patients (nine men and nine women; mean age 61 years) with metastasized melanoma using PET/CT, first with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) and then with Ga-68 DOTATOC. The number of (18)F-FDG-positive or DOTATOC-positive lesions and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) for an index lesion were determined for each patient.
Results:
DOTATOC could reveal metastatic lesions in 11 of 18 patients (61%). However, on a lesion-by-lesion basis only 59 of 263 (22%) (18)F-FDG-avid metastases were seen with DOTATOC. Further, DOTATOC uptake was only faint. The mean SUV(max) was 3.1 (range, 1.2-4.2) for DOTATOC, in contrast to 28.2 (range, 2.3-115) for (18)F-FDG.
Conclusion:
Radiolabelled DOTATOC does not seem to be a promising agent for treatment of metastasized melanoma.
Insights
Gallium-68 DOTATOC shows limited uptake in metastatic melanoma, with only 22% of lesions detected. This study suggests radiolabeled DOTATOC is not a promising therapy for advanced melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are expressed by melanoma cells.
- SSTR binding has antiproliferative effects in neuroendocrine tumors.
- Limited treatment options exist for metastasized melanoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the uptake of the SSTR analogue DOTATOC in patients with metastasized melanoma.
- To assess the potential of DOTATOC for targeted therapy using radiolabeled SSTR analogues.
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with metastasized melanoma underwent PET/CT scans.
- Scans were performed using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) and Ga-68 DOTATOC.
- Lesion detection and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- DOTATOC detected metastatic lesions in 61% of patients (11/18).
- Only 22% of (18)F-FDG-avid metastases were identified by DOTATOC.
- DOTATOC uptake was faint, with a mean SUV(max) of 3.1 compared to 28.2 for (18)F-FDG.
Conclusions:
- Radiolabeled DOTATOC demonstrates limited utility in detecting metastatic melanoma.
- The low uptake suggests DOTATOC is not a promising therapeutic agent for this condition.
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