Intraindividual comparison of [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE and [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC

PURPOSE: The radiolabelled somatostatin analogue [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE binds to albumin via Evans blue, thereby increasing the residence time in the blood and potentially allowing more therapeutic agent to be absorbed into the target tissue during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. It was tested in selected patients whether the substance is superior to [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC. METHODS: Activity kinetics in organs and tumours after [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE and [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC were compared intraindividually in five patients with progressive somatostatin receptor-positive disease scheduled for radionuclide therapy. RESULTS: In comparison to [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC, tumour doses per administered activity were higher for [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE in 4 of 5 patients (median ratio: 1.7; range: 0.9 to 3.9), kidney doses (median ratio: 3.2; range: 1.6 to 9.8) as well as spleen doses (median ratio: 4.7; range 1.2 to 6.2) in all patients, and liver doses in 3 of 4 evaluable patients (median ratio: 4.0; range: 0.7 to 4.9). The tumour to critical organs absorbed dose ratios were higher after [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-TOC in 4 of 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to a treatment with [(177)Lu]Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE, it should be assessed individually whether the compound is superior to established substances.