Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) is an established treatment for neuroendocrine tumors. The treatment method works by delivering radionuclides bound to peptides targeted at somatostatin receptors on the surface of the tumor. Hematological and renal side effects can be dose-limiting for PRRT treatment, and these effects are normally identified using laboratory tests.
The published research evaluated the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-FLT positron emission tomography (PET) for detecting early renal and bone marrow effects. MRI was used to measure fat fraction in the bone marrow, an increase of which is thought to be an early indicator of reduced hematopoietic capacity and to detect renal effects such as hypoxia. Decreased tracer uptake detected with PET can also be used as an indirect marker of proliferation within the bone marrow.
This study was conducted as a collaboration between Uppsala University and Antaros Medical. The publication shows that MRI and PET imaging biomarkers can be used to monitor early effects during PRRT and are promising as predictive indicators of long-term effects, offering the potential to guide personalized treatment in the future.
Find the publication details below:
Title: MRI and 18F-Fluorothymidine PET-MR for the early evaluation of renal and bone marrow effects in Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy
Authors: Dimopoulou Creusen A, Johansson E, Hagmar P, Ahlström H, Granberg D
You can find the publication here.