Targeted Therapy: New Radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogs to Treat Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), including gastroenteropancreatic NETs, or GEP-NETs, are heterogenous tumors that arise from diffuse neuroendocrine cells and other organs, such as the lung, ovary, and thyroid. Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate (Lutathera®) is a newly approved targeted therapy for patients with advanced GEP-NETs. Patients treated with octreotide long-acting release may be candidates for this second-line therapy. This article discusses lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy administration and patient care considerations.

AT A GLANCE

• Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy has been approved as a treatment for GEP-NETs.
• Implications for lutetium Lu 177 dotatate as a second-line therapy for patients with GEP-NETs consist of radiation safety precautions and guidelines for the use of long-acting and short-acting somatostatins.
• Considerations for this therapy include the preadministration of antiemetics and amino acid solution, as well as monitoring for side effects and toxicity.