Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy and Primary Brain Tumors: An Overview

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Oncology
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Primary brain tumors (PBTs) present significant treatment challenges, with limited options for inoperable or relapsed disease.
• Malignant PBTs remain highly lethal, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
• Nuclear medicine modalities are emerging as powerful tools for PBT management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in treating primary brain tumors.
• To explore the use of radiolabeled molecules targeting transmembrane receptors like somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), neurokinin type-1 receptor, and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).
• To provide an overview of PRRT's benefits, feasibility, developments, and limitations in PBT treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature research was conducted to identify relevant studies on PRRT for PBTs.
• Analysis focused on radiolabeled molecules targeting overexpressed receptors in gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and medulloblastomas.
• The review synthesizes current knowledge on PRRT applications, efficacy, and challenges.

Main Results:

• Specific transmembrane receptors (SSTRs, NK1R, PSMA) are overexpressed in various PBTs, making them targets for PRRT.
• PRRT utilizes high-affinity binding of radiolabeled peptides to these receptors for targeted radionuclide delivery.
• This approach holds potential for treating difficult-to-reach or relapsed PBTs.

Conclusions:

• PRRT represents a promising nuclear medicine strategy for primary brain tumors.
• Targeting overexpressed receptors offers a novel therapeutic avenue with potential benefits and manageable limitations.
• Further research and development are crucial to fully realize PRRT's advantages in PBT management.