Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Pretargeted Radioimmunotherapy Based on the Inverse Electron Demand Diels-Alder Reaction
Published on: January 29, 2019
Treating Pediatric Oncology Patients: The Emerging Role of Radioligand Therapy
Theodore W Laetsch1, Lisa J States1, Margot A Lazow2,3
1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Pediatric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroblastomas are rare malignancies with poor outcomes when metastatic. Limited treatment options are currently available for pediatric NETs. Recently, radioligand therapy (RLT) consisting of a radionuclide attached to a ligand, such as [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, has been approved for the treatment of NETs in adolescents aged ≥12 years. Although long-term safety of RLT in adolescents and other pediatric patients needs to be further investigated, data from large adult studies and early pediatric studies suggest feasibility and low toxicity. Future research is needed to assess potential combinations of RLTs with conventional chemotherapy and radiation sensitizers in order to optimize the treatment for pediatric patients with NETs. This review highlights the current status and future directions for RLTs as theranostics for pediatric patients with NETs and neuroblastomas.
Insights
Radioligand therapy (RLT) shows promise for treating pediatric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroblastomas. Further research will explore RLT combinations to improve outcomes for these rare pediatric cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroblastomas are rare cancers with limited treatment options, especially in metastatic stages.
- Current treatments for pediatric NETs are insufficient, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status and future directions of radioligand therapy (RLT) for pediatric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroblastomas.
- To evaluate the potential of RLT as a theranostic approach in pediatric oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on radioligand therapy (RLT) in adult and pediatric NETs and neuroblastomas.
- Analysis of safety and efficacy data from early pediatric studies and adult cohorts.
Main Results:
- Radioligand therapy (RLT), such as [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, is approved for adolescents aged ≥12 years with NETs.
- Early data suggest RLT is feasible and has low toxicity in pediatric patients, though long-term safety requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Radioligand therapy (RLT) represents a promising theranostic approach for pediatric NETs and neuroblastomas.
- Future research should focus on optimizing RLT by exploring combinations with chemotherapy and radiation sensitizers for improved pediatric cancer treatment.
![Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F62334.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
