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111In-octreotide scintigraphy in small cell lung cancer
A Semprebene1, A Ferraironi, G Franciotti
1Nuclear Medicine Department, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Somatostatin receptors have been identified on the cellular surface of a subset of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and may be associated with a less aggressive evolution of the tumor. Moreover, medical therapy with somatostatin analogues holds promise for neoplastic growth control. We performed planar imaging in 22 patients with histologically proven SCLC at 2-4 and 24 hours after the injection of 111-185 MBq of 111In-DTPA-octreotide (Octreoscan, Byk-Gulden). Tumor uptake was observed in 19 patients in both early and late scans, while 2 patients previously treated with chemotherapy showed negative early and late scans. One patient had a positive early scan and a negative late scan. All the scintigraphic studies showed more extensive disease than expected by CT. No significant modification in tumor uptake of radiooctreotide was observed in three patients studied before and after chemotherapy. In conclusion, 111In-octreotide is a suitable radiopharmaceutical for the in vivo evaluation of the somatostatin receptors of small lung cancer. The prognostic and therapeutical implications of this nuclear technique must be further investigated, however.
Insights
This study shows that 111In-octreotide imaging can detect somatostatin receptors on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. This nuclear imaging technique may help evaluate tumor extent and guide future therapies.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Radiopharmacology
Background:
- Somatostatin receptors are present on some small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells.
- These receptors may indicate a less aggressive tumor and could be targets for somatostatin analogue therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo presence of somatostatin receptors in patients with SCLC using 111In-DTPA-octreotide.
- To assess the utility of this radiopharmaceutical for imaging SCLC.
Main Methods:
- 22 patients with histologically confirmed SCLC underwent planar imaging with 111In-DTPA-octreotide.
- Scans were performed at 2-4 hours (early) and 24 hours (late) post-injection.
Main Results:
- Tumor uptake was observed in 19 out of 22 patients on both early and late scans.
- Scintigraphy revealed more extensive disease than CT in all cases.
- Chemotherapy did not significantly alter radiooctreotide uptake in three patients.
Conclusions:
- 111In-octreotide is a suitable radiopharmaceutical for in vivo evaluation of somatostatin receptors in SCLC.
- Further research is needed to explore the prognostic and therapeutic implications of this nuclear technique.