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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
Dosimetry Results from the Phase 1b/3 ACTION-1 Trial of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE (RYZ101) in Patients with Somatostatin
George Sgouros1,2, Gary A Ulaner3,4, Bin He2
1Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract:
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are biologically and clinically heterogeneous tumors, most of which overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). The presence of SSTRs enables staging and allows patient selection for treatment with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (SSAs), such as DOTATATE. [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE is an α-emitting radiopharmaceutical in development for the treatment of patients with SSTR2-expressing solid tumors. α particles have a shorter path length and higher linear energy transfer than do β particles, leading to largely irreparable double-strand DNA breaks and cytotoxicity. ACTION-1 (NCT05477576) is a 2-part, randomized, controlled, open-label, phase 1b/3 trial of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE in patients with SSTR-expressing GEP-NETs whose disease progressed after 177Lu-labeled SSA therapy. ACTION-1 included a dosimetry substudy to determine the feasibility of obtaining imaging data with 225Ac. The objectives of the substudy were to estimate radiation absorbed doses of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE in critical organs and tumors. Methods: [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE was administered intravenously every 8 wk for 1-4 cycles to adults with grade 1 or 2, well-differentiated, inoperable SSTR2-expressing GEP-NETs that progressed after 2-4 cycles of 177Lu-lableled SSA. Dosimetry was assessed after cycles 1 and 4 of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE via SPECT/CT of 221Fr (4.8-min half-life), the first daughter and surrogate for 225Ac and 213Bi (46.6-min half-life, surrogate for later daughters). Absorbed doses and absorbed dose coefficients adjusted for a relative biological effectiveness factor of 5 (ADCRBE=5) to target tissues and tumors were calculated; tumor doses were estimated by MIRD S-value methodology. Results: Dosimetry data were obtained from 9 of 17 patients in phase 1b, each completing 4 cycles. 213Bi mostly remained with DOTATATE in the tumors; a minor fraction went to the kidneys. The estimated absorbed doses to kidneys and red bone marrow were 22.3 and 1.1 Gy, respectively. The ADCRBE=5 to selected tumors ranged from 488 to 8775 mGy/MBq across both treatment cycles. The ADCRBE=5 for most tumors was lower in cycle 4 than in cycle 1; many tumors defined in cycle 1 were unidentifiable in cycle 4. Conclusion: Dosimetry data from ACTION-1 demonstrated the feasibility of image-based dosimetry of 225Ac through SPECT/CT imaging of 221Fr and 213Bi. The 213Bi daughter mostly remained with DOTATATE in tumors, decaying at the same location as 221Fr. The favorable tumor-to-normal tissue absorbed dose ratio of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE supports its use in patients with SSTR-expressing GEP-NETs.
Insights
The dosimetry substudy of the ACTION-1 trial confirmed that [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE can be effectively imaged for dosimetry in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). This alpha-emitting therapy shows a promising tumor-to-normal tissue absorbed dose ratio.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
Background:
- Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are heterogeneous and often overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTRs).
- Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs (SSAs), like DOTATATE, are used for SSTR-positive tumor staging and treatment.
- [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE is an alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical targeting SSTR2-expressing solid tumors, offering potent cytotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of image-based dosimetry for [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE in the ACTION-1 trial.
- To estimate radiation absorbed doses in critical organs and tumors following [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE administration.
- To assess the distribution and retention of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE and its daughters in SSTR-expressing GEP-NET patients.
Main Methods:
- Phase 1b dosimetry substudy of the ACTION-1 trial involving adults with advanced GEP-NETs.
- Intravenous administration of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE every 8 weeks for 1-4 cycles.
- SPECT/CT imaging of 221Fr and 213Bi surrogates after cycles 1 and 4 to calculate absorbed doses using MIRD methodology and RBE adjustment.
Main Results:
- Dosimetry data were successfully obtained from 9 patients completing 4 cycles.
- The daughter nuclide 213Bi largely remained localized within tumors, with minimal uptake in kidneys.
- Estimated absorbed doses to kidneys and red bone marrow were 22.3 Gy and 1.1 Gy, respectively; tumor absorbed dose coefficients (ADC RBE=5) ranged from 488 to 8775 mGy/MBq.
Conclusions:
- Image-based dosimetry of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE is feasible using SPECT/CT imaging of its daughters.
- The alpha-emitter 213Bi demonstrated favorable retention within target tumors.
- The calculated favorable tumor-to-normal tissue absorbed dose ratio supports the potential of [225Ac]Ac-DOTATATE for treating SSTR-expressing GEP-NETs.
