Neuroblastoma xenograft models demonstrate the therapeutic potential of ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate

Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumors in infants. NB is a neuroendocrine tumor type with various characteristics and features, and with diverse outcome. The most malignant NBs have a 5-year survival rate of only 40-50%, indicating the need for novel and improved treatment options. ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate is routinely administered for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors overexpressing somatostatin receptors (SSTR). The aim of this study was to examine the biodistribution of ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate in mice bearing aggressive human NB cell lines, in order to evaluate the potential usefulness of ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate for treatment of NB.

BALB/c nude mice bearing CLB-BAR, CLB-GE or IMR-32 tumor xenografts (n = 5-7/group) were i.v. injected with 0.15 MBq, 1.5 MBq or 15 MBq ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate and sacrificed 1 h, 24 h, 48 h and 168 h after administration. The radioactivity concentration was determined for collected tissue samples, tumor-to-normal-tissue activity concentration ratios (T/N) and mean absorbed dose for each tissue were calculated. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for SSTR1-5, and Ki67 were carried out for tumor xenografts from the three cell lines.

High ¹⁷⁷Lu concentration levels and T/N values were observed in all NB tumors, with the highest for CLB-GE tumor xenografts (72%IA/g 24 h p.i.; 1.5 MBq ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate). The mean absorbed dose to the tumor was 6.8 Gy, 54 Gy and 29 Gy for CLB-BAR, CLB-GE and IMR-32, respectively, p.i. of 15 MBq ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate. Receptor saturation was clearly observed in CLB-BAR, resulting in higher concentration levels in the tumor when lower activity levels where administered. IHC staining demonstrated highest expression of SSTR2 in CLB-GE, followed by CLB-BAR and IMR-32.

T/N values for all three human NB tumor xenograft types investigated were high relative to previously investigated neuroendocrine tumor types. The results indicate a clear potential of ¹⁷⁷Lu-octreotate as a therapeutic alternative for metastatic NB.