Octreotide for resuscitation of cardiac arrest due to carcinoid crisis precipitated by novel peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT): A case report

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective treatment for metastatic carcinoid tumours but can precipitate a carcinoid crisis through release of stored bioamines. Cardiac arrest is an uncommon manifestation of carcinoid crisis and has never been reported as a complication of PRRT. We report a case of a 58-year old female who suffered from cardiac arrest following PRRT for metastatic carcinoid tumour. She was successfully resuscitated using intravenous octreotide following 22 min of failure to resuscitate with a standard advanced cardiac life support protocol. Following resuscitation, severe carcinoid heart disease was diagnosed, and the patient subsequently underwent successful surgical valve replacement. Although there is no trial evidence, considering pharmacological rationale and successful outcome in this case, we suggest early administration of intravenous octreotide during resuscitation of patients suffering cardiac arrest post PRRT for carcinoid disease and recommend preventive strategies.

Therapeutic Possibilities of 131I-Mibg in Metastatic Carcinoid Tumors - Preliminary Report

The poor results of traditional therapy in advanced carcinoid tumors and the well-proven uptake of 131I-MIBG shown by some of these tumors induced us to attempt a radiometabolic approach. We selected for the treatment 5 patients (3 men and 2 women) who showed progression of disease, a fairly good uptake of 131l-MIBG with severe related symptoms, and a poor response to traditional therapy. A cumulative radioactivity of 5.5-29.6 GBq was given. Acute side effects after 131l-MIBG ad ministration or late radiation-induced damages were not observed. Symptoms increased during the first 2-4 weeks in 2 patients: in one of these relief was achieved with drugs. Results concerning objective remission of the disease were unsatisfactory. In contrast, definite improvement of symptoms was shown in 2 of 5 patients, resulting in a better quality of life.

[Laryngeal Atypical Carcinoid Combined with Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report]

The primary laryngeal atypical carcinoid is relatively rare, and the tumor combined with other histologic types including squamous cell carcinoma is extremely rare. We experienced a case which was complicated with atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma. A 79 years old man complaining of sputum was admitted to Hiroshima City Hospital. A tumor was seen in over the right glottis and the right vocal fold was fixed. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed based on a biopsy harvested under laryngoscopy. Imaging studies (CT, MRI) were done. The primary tumor was in the right aryepiglottic fold, and one swollen lymph node was found in level 2 (right side). Based on the findings, the stage was T3N1M0. We performed a total laryngectomy and right neck dissection. Atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma were detected in the same tumor. There were two lymph node metastases, both of which were atypical carcinoid metastases. Postoperative irradiation was provided. It is now 4 years since the operation, but the patient lives without relapse and metastasis of this disease.

[A case of pancreatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma surviving 8 years and 5 months with treatments for multiple liver tumors diagnosed as carcinoid tumor]

The case was a 58-year-old woman who visited our hospital for a thorough examination after multiple liver tumors were found in her at a nearby hospital. By liver tumor biopsy, we diagnosed them as carcinoid. Bone scintigraphy showed an abnormal accumulation in the external left scapula and in both of her hip joints, but the primary lesion was unclear. She died 8 years and 5 months after disease onset from deterioration of liver lesions, inspite of our treatments, such as gemcitabine administration of systemic chemotherapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for liver lesions, and radiation therapy for bone lesions. Pathological anatomy suggested a pancreatic, well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Simultaneous metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma and carcinoid of the small intestine in the cervical lymph node group

BACKGROUND

Malignancies, primary or metastatic, and infections are the main causative factors that should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical adenopathy.

SUMMARY

We present a 56-year-old woman who was admitted to our department because of a supraclavicular mass. A neck dissection was performed and two different masses were excised. The histopathological examination showed that the larger mass (measuring 5 cm) was a block of lymph nodes with metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. In the adjacent fibroadipose tissue, two lymph nodes with metastatic carcinoid tumor were found. The smaller mass (measuring 2 cm) was a lymph node with metastatic carcinoid tumor. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral radical neck dissection. Histopatological examination of the thyroid gland showed a lesion of papillary carcinoma, measuring 0.6 cm. No further lesions of carcinoid were found.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a coexistence of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma and intestinal carcinoid tumor in cervical lymph nodes.

The shrinking thyroid: how does thyroid size change following radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

External beam radiation therapy (XRT) for head and neck cancer is known to induce hypothyroidism and cause morphologic changes in the thyroid gland. This retrospective study investigates change in the size of the thyroid gland detectable by CT after XRT for laryngeal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The measured width of the thyroid lobes in 61 patients treated nonsurgically with XRT for laryngeal cancer between 2000 and 2003 on posttherapy CT was compared with that on pretherapy CT. Absolute and percentage changes in measured thyroid width following XRT were analyzed according to chemotherapy administration and posttherapy thyroid function.

RESULTS

Eighty-five percent (52/61) of patients had a decrease in the width of the thyroid gland. The average change in width measuring -4.7 mm and -13.8% (SD, 5.7 mm and 19.9%) occurred at an average of 758 days following completion of XRT (mean, 402-1534 days) and was significant (P = .002). Average change in width between hypothyroid patients (n = 19, -6.1 mm and -20.0% change) and euthyroid patients (n = 42, -4.1 mm and -11.1% change) was not significant (P = .20 absolute change and P = .11 percentage change). The average change in width between patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 31, -5.5 mm and -16.1% change) and patients not receiving chemotherapy (n = 30, -3.9 mm and -11.5% change) was not significant (P = .26 absolute change and P = .37 for percentage change).

CONCLUSIONS

Most nonsurgical patients receiving XRT for laryngeal cancer have a significant decrease in the width of their thyroid glands detected on CT. The average change in the size of the thyroid gland does not differ when development of hypothyroidism or chemotherapy administration are considered.

Clinical usefulness of fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET in a case with multiple bone metastases of carcinoid tumor after ten years

We report a peculiar case in an 80-year-old man with multiple bone metastases due to the recurrence of thymic carcinoid tumor after surgical resection and radiation therapy ten years earlier. He was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of lumbago. Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET was useful for recognition of multiple bone metastases due to the recurrence of thymic carcinoid tumor, while (201)Tl-whole body scintigraphy and by (99)mTc-methylene diphosphonate ((99)mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphy did not reveal the metastases. Finally, we performed a CT-guided bone biopsy from lumbar vertebra and could obtain the diagnosis of metastases of carcinoid tumor histologically. As evident in this case, it is important to consider the recurrence of carcinoid tumor even if a long time has passed after the surgical resection and radiation therapy; also FDG-PET may be a useful diagnostic imaging modality to detect metastases from thymic carcinoid tumor to other organs.

Radioiodinated metaiodobenzylguanidine in the diagnosis and therapy of carcinoid tumors

Carcinoid tumors account for less than 1% of all malignancies and the majority arises in the gastrointestinal system. These tumors are slow-growing compared with adenocarcinomas and they differ from the other neuroendocrine malignancies by their protean clinical presentation. Carcinoid tumors were previously considered indolent, but they can manifest malignant characteristics with metastatic spread which often results in a poor prognosis. Although there have been advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities, carcinoid tumors are still frequently diagnosed late, often when the tumor has metastasized and patients have developed carcinoid syndrome. Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options are based on biochemical markers and imaging investigations. High concentration of urinary 5-HIAA, elevated plasma serotonin and chromogranin A levels help to establish the initial diagnosis of carcinoid tumors. In addition to the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, molecular imaging modalities such as OctreoScan, metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging and more recently PET imaging are used in detecting the primary malignancy and metastatic involvement. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment of non-metastatic carcinoid tumors. Cytotoxic chemotherapy has limited role because of the chemoresistant nature of these tumors. Because carcinoid tumors express somatostatin receptors, somatostatin analogues, which inhibit release of serotonin and other neuroendocrine peptides, are often used, but their use is limited to symptom control. Treatment using high doses of radionuclides, such as radiolabeled somatostatin analogues and MIBG, is a more recent option, which offers a definite advantage in management. In this article, we review the current state of the art in the diagnosis and treatment of carcinoid tumors as well as the role of MIBG in their diagnosis and management.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-octreotate in patients with foregut carcinoid tumours of bronchial, gastric and thymic origin

PURPOSE

Foregut carcinoid tumours have a different embryological origin than other gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs). In the total group of GEP NETs (n = 131), treatment with (177)Lu-octreotate resulted in tumour remission in 47% of patients, with a median time to progression (TTP) of >36 months. As patients with foregut carcinoids may respond differently, we here present the effects of this treatment in a subgroup of patients with foregut carcinoids of bronchial, gastric or thymic origin.

METHODS

Nine patients with bronchial, five with gastric and two with thymic carcinoids were treated. All patients had metastasised disease. The intended cumulative dose of (177)Lu-octreotate was 22.2-29.6 GBq. Southwest Oncology Group criteria were used for response evaluation.

RESULTS

Bronchial carcinoids: Five patients had partial remission, one had minor response (MR, tumour size reduction: > or =25%, <50%), two had stable disease (SD) and one had progressive disease (PD). Median TTP was 31 months. Gastric carcinoids: One patient had complete remission, one had MR and two had SD, including one with PD at baseline. One patient developed PD. Thymic carcinoids: One patient had SD. In the other patient, disease remained progressive. All patients: Overall remission rate was 50%, including MR.

CONCLUSION

(177)Lu-octreotate treatment can be effective in patients with bronchial and gastric carcinoids. Its role in thymic carcinoids cannot be determined yet because of the limited number of patients. The overall remission rate of 50% in patients with the studied foregut carcinoids is comparable to that in the total group of GEP NETs.

Severe toxicity after permanent radioactive seed implantation for mediastinal carcinoid tumors

PURPOSE

Permanent implantation of 125I seeds may be used when uninvolved surgical margins are unobtainable or close. Two cases of mediastinal carcinoid tumors with prior chemoradiation had tumors adherent to esophageal muscularis. Both underwent intraoperative permanent seed implantation and developed esophageal fistulas requiring surgical correction.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Custom permanent 125I seed mesh implants were fashioned intraoperatively in a geometrically coherent pattern. The implants were directly sutured to the partially resected esophageal wall. The postimplant CT scans were fused with the postfistula scans to provide dosimetric information at the fistula site. Doses were calculated from time of insertion to time of fistula formation. Neither patient showed evidence of disease recurrence at the time of fistula repair.

RESULTS

Patient 1 developed an esophageal-pleural fistula 83 days after seed implantation. Patient 2 developed a broncho-pleural fistula 300 days after seed implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

These cases demonstrated that implantation in the setting of extensive subcarinal space dissection and partial esophageal wall resection could cause fistula formation and the need for additional surgery. The high mucosal dose, despite the relatively low activity implant, was due to lack of geometric sparing of the mucosa. We recommend that extensive subcarinal space dissection be considered a contraindication to permanent seed implantation.

Primary carcinoid tumors of the lung: a role for radiotherapy

Primary neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung represent a clinical spectrum of tumors ranging from the relatively benign and slow-growing typical carcinoid to the highly aggressive small-cell lung carcinoma. The rarity of carcinoids has made the role of radiation therapy in their management controversial. This review considers the results of published studies to generate treatment recommendations and identify areas for future research. Surgery remains the standard of care for medically operable disease. Histology plays the most important role in determining the role of adjuvant radiation. Resected typical carcinoids likely do not require adjuvant therapy irrespective of nodal statius. Resected atypical carcinoids and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas have a significant risk of localfailure, for which adjuvant radiation likely improves local control. Definitive radiation is warranted in unresectable disease. Palliative radiation for symptomatic lesions has demonstrated efficacy for all histologies. Collaborative group trials are warranted.

[Thymic carcinoid accompanied by elevation of serum gastrin-releasing peptide precursor; report of a case]

A 74-year-old male was admitted with an abnormal mediastinal shadow. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thorax showed an anterior mediastinal mass without invasion to the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery. In addition, serum gastrin-releasing peptide precursor (Pro GRP) was increased (60.6 pg/ml, normal range <46 pg/ml). Video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy demonstrated that the mass was thymic carcinoid. Therefore, median sternotomy was performed to facilitate thymectomy, including the tumor with partial resection of the left upper lobe and pericardium. The patient received mediastinal irradiation postoperatively. The postoperative serum level of Pro GRP decreased to the normal limit 6 months later. Although a biological relationship between Pro GRP and thymic carcinoid was not proven, it might be useful marker for detecting tumor recurrence.

Carcinoid crisis induced by receptor radionuclide therapy with 90Y-DOTATOC in a case of liver metastases from bronchial neuroendocrine tumor (atypical carcinoid)

SS receptors are overexpressed in many tumors, mainly of neuroendocrine origin, thus enabling the treatment with SS analogs. The clinical experience of receptor radionuclide therapy with the new analog [90Y-DOTA0-Tyr3 ]-octreotide [90Y-DOTATOC] has been developed over the last decade and is gaining a pivotal role in the therapeutic workout of these tumors. It is well known that some procedures performed in diagnostic and therapeutic management of endocrine tumors, such as agobiopsy and hepatic chemoembolization, can be associated with the occurrence of symptoms related to the release of vasoactive amines and/or hormonal peptides from tumor cell lysis. This is the first report of a severe carcinoid crisis developed after receptor radionuclide therapy with 90Y-DOTATOC administered in a patient affected by liver metastases from bronchial neuroendocrine tumor (atypical carcinoid). Despite protection with H1 receptor antagonists, octreotide and corticosteroids, few days after the therapy the patient complained of persistent flushing of the face and upper trunk, severe labial and periocular oedema, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. These symptoms increased and required new hospitalisation. The patient received iv infusion of octreotide associated with H1 and H2 receptor antagonists and corticosteroid therapy, which induced symptom remission within few days. The case here reported confirms that radionuclide therapy is highly effective in determining early rupture of metastatic tissue and also suggests that pre-medication should be implemented before the radiopeptide administration associated with a close monitoring of the patient in the following days.

Primary carcinoid tumour of the pancreas

Pancreatic carcinoid tumours are extremely infrequent. Usually, the biological behaviour is indolent and diagnosis is late and often casual. We present the case of a patient initially diagnosed as having liver metastasis of unknown origin. PET identified a primary pancreatic site and the initial histologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. Following an uncertain response to chemo- and radio-therapy the repeat histologic assessment indicated a carcinoid tumour of the pancreas. After complete surgical resection and liver transplantation, patient remains free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The co-existence of several diseases with similar morpho-structural features makes diagnosis complicated. PET is of uncertain use in the evaluation of carcinoid tumours, and is considered inferior to 111Indium-octreotide scan. The only curative treatment is surgical resection, with liver transplantation as a valid option in the treatment of these tumours.

Orbital carcinoid metastases

OBJECTIVE

To describe a series of patients with metastatic orbital carcinoid tumors.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series and literature review.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Patients were identified from the orbital database and pathology records at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Records were evaluated for age at presentation, race, gender, laterality, visual function and clinical features, site of orbital metastasis, treatment, and outcome. The site of the primary tumor, presence of systemic symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the primary tumor, and current survival status were also noted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Time from tumor to death.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (9 male) had an average age at biopsy-proven diagnosis of 65.3 years. The primary tumor was ileal in 7, colonic in 4, and from bronchus and breast (1 each); in 9 patients, the primary tumor was already known. Eleven of the 13 patients had noted a mass, 8 had diplopia, 3 had reduced vision, and only 2 had orbital pain. One patient presented with visual hallucinations. Imaging showed single muscle enlargement in 7 patients, a discrete mass in 5, and diffuse fat infiltration in 1 patient. Six patients underwent a meta-iodobenzyl guanidine/octreotide scan and metastatic disease was found in 4. Four patients underwent exenteration, 5 had radiotherapy after tumor debulking, 2 had radiotherapy alone, and 2 patients had local radiotherapy with receptor-targeted chemotherapy. Seven patients died from metastatic tumor. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 5-year survival rate of 72% and a 10-year survival rate of 38%. Comparison of the current series with other published series shows a significant difference (improvement) in survival at 5 years (P = 0.027) but not at 10 years (P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

The largest published series of orbital carcinoid tumors is presented, there being a recent trend towards less aggressive surgical management and probably a greater survival rate.

[Bronchial carcinoid--a rare neoplasm metastasis to choroid]

PURPOSE

To present a clinical picture and results of treatment in two patients with bronchial carcinoid metastases to choroid.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two females aged 47 and 56 with bilateral and multiple metastases of bronchial carcinoid were enrolled in this study. Choroidal metastases occurred 6-7 years after primary tumors had been diagnosed. The follow-up period ranged from 2.5 to 5 years. In one patient teleradiotherapy of choroidal metastases was performed, while in a second case plaque therapy with 106 Ru and 125 I and a diode laser therapy were used.

RESULTS

After therapy, one patient demonstrated partial regression of two choroidal metastases and total regression of one tumor, while the second one, showed total regression of all intraocular tumors. One patient developed irradiation neuropathy and retinopathy as a result of teleradiotherapy, which were the main cause of decreased visual acuity in her one eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the good prognosis and potentially long survival of patients with bronchial carcinoid, prompt treatment of choroidal metastases is recommended. Applied method of therapy depends on tumor size, its localization and patient's general condition.

Successful receptor-mediated radiation therapy of xenografted human midgut carcinoid tumour

Somatostatin receptor (sstr)-mediated radiation therapy is a new therapeutic modality for neuroendocrine (NE) tumours. High expression of sstr in NE tumours leads to tumour-specific uptake of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues and high absorbed doses. In this study, we present the first optimised radiation therapy via sstr using [(177)Lu-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)]-octreotate given to nude mice xenografted with the human midgut carcinoid GOT1. The tumours in 22 out of 23 animals given therapeutic amounts showed dose-dependent, rapid complete remission. The diagnostic amount (0.5 MBq [(177)Lu-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)]-octreotate) did not influence tumour growth and was rapidly excreted. In contrast, the therapeutic amount (30 MBq [(177)Lu-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)]-octreotate) induced rapid tumour regression and entrapment of (177)Lu so that the activity concentration of (177)Lu remained high, 7 and 13 days after injection. The entrapment phenomenon increased the absorbed dose to tumours from 1.6 to 4.0 Gy MBq(-1) and the tumours in animals treated with 30 MBq received 120 Gy. Therapeutic amounts of [(177)Lu-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)]-octreotate rapidly induced apoptosis and gradual development of fibrosis in grafted tumours. In conclusion, human midgut carcinoid xenografts can be cured by receptor-mediated radiation therapy by optimising the uptake of radioligand and taking advantage of the favourable change in biokinetics induced by entrapment of radionuclide in the tumours.

[Radiation therapy with 131I-MIBG is still relevant for metastatic carcinoid tumors]

We report different treatment options (currently used and on trial) for a patient with a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor and metastases in the liver, and discuss the advantages of using internal radiotherapy with 131I-MIBG rather than other treatments. According to the literature, this pathology has a poor prognosis, and considering the significant efficacy of this radiopharmaceutical treatment on symptoms, tumor reduction, and biochemical parameters, it seems to be under used. There are currently no standard treatment options. We present a management strategy for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors with 131I-MIBG.

Carcinoid tumor of the thymus: a clinicopathologic report of two cases with a review of the literature

Thymic carcinoid, a tumor with neuroendocrine-derived cells, is extremely rare. Its clinical and pathological features are distinct from other thymic tumors or carcinoids in other organs. The prognosis is poorer compared with other thymic tumors. Herein, we describe two cases with thymic carcinoids that were completely resected and underwent radiotherapy after surgery. The postoperative follow-up periods were 7 years and 7 months. These rare cases are discussed in light of the clinico-pathological picture of thymic carcinoid reported in the literature.

Nuclear medicine in the detection, staging and treatment of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumours

Carcinoid tumours belong to the family of neuroendocrine tumours with a capacity to take up and concentrate amines and precursors as well as peptides, and can thereby be detected by nuclear medicine techniques. These rare tumours are difficult to diagnose at earlier stages because of small size and multiplicity. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are mostly of benefit for detection of larger primary tumours (1-3 cm) and liver and lymph-node metastases. A majority of carcinoid tumours express somatostatin receptors, particularly receptor type 2, and thus somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) can be used for detection and staging of carcinoid tumours. The detection rate of carcinoid tumours has been reported to be somewhere between 80 and 100% in different studies. The scintigraphy gives a good staging of the disease and detection of unexpected tumour sites, which were not determined by conventional imaging. This method also indicates content of somatostatin receptors, which might indicate efficacy of treatment with octreotide or other somatostatin analogues. Another new non-invasive technique for detection of carcinoid tumours is positron emission tomography (PET). The biological substance for study can be labelled for radioactive imaging with radionuclears, such as (11)C, (15)O and (18)F, with emission of positrons. More than 95% of patients studied displayed high tracer uptake from PET with (11)C-5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), which is significantly higher compared to both computer tomography and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. MIBG has been used for decades to visualize carcinoid tumours, because MIBG is concentrated in the endocrine cells. It was initially developed to detect phaeochromocytomas of the adrenal with reported high sensitivity (87%) and specificity as high as 99%. The method can be used when other methods fail to localize carcinoid tumours and particularly when treatment with (131)I-MIBG is being considered. Tumour-targeted treatment for malignant carcinoid tumour is still investigational, but has become of significant interest with the use of radiolabelled somatostatin analogues. Since a majority of carcinoid tumours present somatostatin receptors and can therefore be visualized in vivo by using radiolabelled somatostatin analogues, it seems logical to try to target these tumours with radioactive substances, not only for visualization but also for treatment. (111)Indium-DTPA-octreotide has been used as the first tumour-targeted treatment, with rather low response rates (in the order of 10-20%) and no significant tumour shrinkage. The second radioactive analogue which has been applied in the clinic is (90)yttrium-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide, which has given partial and complete remissions in 20-30% of patients. The most significant side-effects have been kidney dysfunction, thrombocytopenia and liver toxicity. The most recent compound is (177)lutetium-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate, which has been applied by the Rotterdam group and has been reported to give partial remission in about 40% of the patients. In the near future, combined treatment with both (90)yttrium and (177)lutetium coupled to a somatostatin analogue might come into clinical trials. (177)Lutetium may be more effective for smaller tumours whereas (90)yttrium may be more effective for larger tumours.

Changes in the Expression of Somatostatin Receptor Imaging Following Y-90 Lanreotide Therapy for Carcinoid Tumor: A Flare Response?

A 53-year-old man with In-111 octreotide-positive metastatic hepatic carcinoid was referred for Y-90 lanreotide therapy. A diagnostic In-111 lanreotide scan, performed to assess suitability for therapy, showed less uptake in lesions compared with In-111 octreotide. After 3 therapy doses of Y-90 lanreotide, a repeat In-111 lanreotide scan showed intense uptake in old lesions, appearance of new lesions, and uptake in the spleen. This was associated with improvement in flushing and regression of liver size. Computed tomography scan showed stable disease. Increased expression of somatostatin receptors has been observed with In-111 octreotide but not with In-111 lanreotide. If this is a flare response, then pretreatment with "cold" lanreotide may be beneficial before Y-90 lanreotide therapy.

Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine treatment for metastatic carcinoid. Results in 98 patients

BACKGROUND

Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) is useful for imaging carcinoid tumors and recently has been applied to the palliative treatment of metastatic carcinoid in small studies. The authors now report their results on the therapeutic utility of high-dose 131I-MIBG treatment in a large group of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of 98 patients with metastatic carcinoid who were treated at their institution with 131I-MIBG over a 15-year period. Endpoints examined included the World Health Organization criteria for treatment response: symptoms, hormone (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA]) production, and clinical tumor response.

RESULTS

Patients received a median dose of 401 +/- 202 millicuries (mCi) 131I-MIBG. The median survival after treatment was 2.3 years. Patients who experienced a symptomatic response had improved survival (5.76 years vs. 2.09 years; P < 0.01). For the 56 patients who had 5-HIAA levels monitored, the mean urine 5-HIAA levels decreased significantly after 131I-MIBG treatment (126 +/- 122 ng/mL vs. 91 +/- 125 ng/mL; P < 0.01); however, the patients with reduced 5-HIAA levels did not experience improved survival (4.11 years vs. 3.42 years; P = 0.2). Patients who received an initial 131I-MIBG dose > 400 mCi lived longer than patients who received < 400 mCi (4.69 years vs. 1.86 years; P = 0.05). Radiographic tumor response did not predict survival. Toxicity included pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and emesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The current data support 131I-MIBG treatment in select patients with metastatic carcinoid who progress despite optimal medical management. Improved survival was predicted best by symptomatic response to 131I-MIBG treatment, but not by hormone or radiographic response.

Effects of intravenous amino acid administration with Y-90 DOTA-Phe1-Tyr3-Octreotide (SMT487[OctreoTher) treatment

Y-90-DOTA-Phe1-Tyr3-Octreotide (90Y-SMT 487, OctreoTher) has shown potential for effectively treating patients with neuroendocrine tumors. The dose-limiting organ for this agent is the kidney. The purpose of this work is to assess the effectiveness of a commercially available amino acid solution on reducing renal uptake of 90Y-SMT 487 and determine the safety profile of this solution. Subjects with In-111 pentetreotide positive tumors and normal creatinine levels were treated with 3 cycles of 90Y-SMT 487, 120 mCi/cycle, at 6-9 week intervals. During each treatment two liters of an amino acid solution containing arginine and lysine (Aminosyn II 7%, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) were infused IV over 4 hours. Adverse events were recorded. To assess the effect of Aminosyn II on renal uptake of 90Y-SMT 487, a subgroup of subjects underwent bremsstrahlung imaging 24 hours following infusion. Kidney to liver (K/L) count density ratios were generated from the baseline In-111 pentetreotide images (performed without amino acid infusion) and the 90Y bremsstrahlung images. Follow-up creatinine levels were obtained. Thirty-seven subjects received a total of 89 90Y-SMT 487 treatments. The number of amino-acid infusions associated with one or more episodes of emesis was 53 (62%). During 13 (15%) of these infusions, the Aminosyn II rate had to be reduced because of severe nausea and vomiting. Symptomatic flushing occurred during 16 (18%) of the infusions. One subject experienced a near syncopal event shortly after completing the infusion. Creatinine levels remained normal in 34 of 36 subjects during a mean follow-up period of 9.8 months. Fourteen subjects underwent bremsstrahlung imaging following infusion of 90Y-SMT 487. Kidney uptake appeared to decrease with administration of the amino acid solution in 13 of 14 subjects. For the 28 individual kidneys, the mean percent decrease in the Kidney/Liver uptake ratio with the amino acid solution was found to be 32%. We conclude that 2 L of Aminosyn II 7% infused over 4 hours appears to notably reduce renal uptake of 90Y-SMT 487. Aminosyn is generally well tolerated, particularly at lower infusion rates with occasional moderate to severe nausea and vomiting at higher rates.

GOT1 xenografted to nude mice: a unique model for in vivo studies on SSTR-mediated radiation therapy of carcinoid tumors

Malignant carcinoid tumors express high numbers of somatostatin receptors. Radiation therapy using labeled somatostatin analogs is a novel treatment modality for these tumors. We have analyzed the biokinetics and therapeutic effect of radiolabeled somatostatin analog on a human midgut carcinoid grafted to nude mice. A transplantable human midgut carcinoid (GOT1) was grafted to the back of nude mice. Tumor-bearing mice were injected with (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide, followed by measurement of (111)In activity concentration ratios in tumor tissues. Tumor-bearing mice were also injected with (177)Lu-DOTA-Tyr(3)-octreotate and followed for 7 days. The concentration of (111)In-DTPA-D-Phe(1)-octreotide in tumor tissues was very high 4 hours postinjection with 0.4-13% of injected activity per gram. Injection of 30-120 MBq (177)Lu-DOTA-Tyr(3)-octreotate reduced tumor volume to 7-14% of the original tumor volume 7 days postinjection. Microscopic analysis of treated tumors revealed widespread areas of tumor cell necrosis and fibrosis. It was found that grafted GOT1 cells to nude mice represent an authentic model for studying human midgut carcinoids. Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs have a high selectivity for tumor tissue and can induce tumor cell necrosis. Radiotherapy of carcinoid tumors with (177)Lu-DOTA-Tyr(3)-octreotate appears to be a promising treatment modality for either palliative treatment or completion therapy after attempted surgical cure.

Carcinoid tumours of the larynx

The larynx is a rare site of origin of neuroendocrine carcinomas. They can be divided into typical, atypical and small cell tumours on the basis of their histopathological differentiation. The tumour histology and prognosis correlate closely. The typical carcinoid tumours are well differentiated with a benign course. Conservative surgery for local disease is the treatment and is associated with good survival. The atypical carcinoid tumours are poorly differentiated with an aggressive course. Response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy is poor. The treatment of choice is adequate total excision of the lesion with neck dissection if there is clinical evidence of cervical lymphadenopathy and a careful follow-up so as to recognise and treat any metastatic spread. We present two cases with similar history and clinical findings-one typical and the other atypical-and discuss the relevant literature.

Outcome of patients with pulmonary carcinoid tumors receiving chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine the outcome of patients with pulmonary typical and atypical carcinoid tumors treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors treated at our institution from 1990 to 2001 were identified. The medical records of patients with diagnoses of typical or atypical pulmonary carcinoids were reviewed for the presence of evaluable disease, treatment with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy, response to these treatments, survival and cause of death.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with typical (n = 8) or atypical (n = 10) pulmonary carcinoid tumors who were treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy were identified. Of these, four received chemotherapy plus chest radiotherapy. Three of these had stable disease and one had a partial response. One of the patients with stable disease to chemoradiotherapy subsequently received chemotherapy alone, to which he had a complete response. Fourteen additional patients were treated with 18 chemotherapy regimens. There were two partial responses, eight stable disease, seven progressive disease and one allergic reaction precluding further treatment. The overall response rate to any chemotherapy was 3/15 (20%, 95% CI 0.07-0.45), and the best overall response rate to chemotherapy with or without chest radiotherapy was 4/18 (22%, 95% CI 0.09-0.45). Median overall survival was 20 months (95% CI 0-51 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoid tumors can respond to chemotherapy with or without chest radiotherapy, though with response rates that appear less than those of small cell lung cancers. Further characterization of pulmonary carcinoid tumors and study of treatment alternatives for unresectable disease is warranted.

[Long-term results of postoperative radiotherapy for stage I endometrial carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the primary treatment in stage I endometrial carcinoma. Retrospective analyses support the value of local vaginal irradiation to avoid vaginal recurrences to be relatively proven. The impact of an additional external beam irradiation of the pelvis considering different prognostic criteria is still unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1986 to December 1995 a total of 128 patients with a stage I endometrial carcinoma were treated in our clinic with postoperative radiotherapy. Depending on the prognostic factors from literature, 68 patients received an HDR-brachytherapy and 60 patients a combined treatment with external beam irradiation and HDR-brachytherapy. The median follow-up was 62.1 months. The statistical analysis was performed as a retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS

Depth of tumor invasion and grading could be identified as statistically significant prognostic factors for local recurrence-free and tumor-specific survival. It could be shown that an additional external beam irradiation is indicated with a tumor invasion of more than 50% of the myometrium. In the majority of cases grade I and II radiation-associated side effects were observed. Chronic side effects grade 3 and 4 at the bowel and the rectum occurred in less than 4% of cases in the combined treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of external beam irradiation to intravaginal brachytherapy is useful in tumors with more than 50% infiltration of the myometrium. Severe side effects were seen in less than 4% in combination treatment.

A clinicopathologic study of 12 neuroendocrine tumors arising in the thymus

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the new classification system for thymic carcinoid tumors/neuroendocrine carcinomas provides prognostic data, and to study the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors of these rare tumors.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.

RESULTS

Eight men and four women with a median age of 58 years. Complete excision was possible in nine patients. Postoperative staging revealed two stage I tumors, two stage II tumors, three stage III tumors, one stage IVA tumor, and four stage IVB tumors. All tumors demonstrated the histopathologic features of neuroendocrine tumors, which were confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A in 11 of 12 tumors and for CD56 in 12 of 12 tumors, and the presence of dense core granules on ultrastructural analysis in 9 of 9 tumors. All 12 tumors did not stain positively for somatostatin receptors. Three tumors were grade 1, six cases were grade 2, and three cases were grade 3. Follow-up was available in all patients. One patient died 1 month postoperatively. Distant metastasis developed in nine patients (82%). Local recurrence was evident in six patients, of whom five had not received postoperative radiotherapy. Seven patients died of distant metastasis (22 to 83 months after surgery). Two are alive and disease-free (at 67 and 81 months), and two are alive with disease (at 60 and 86 months)

CONCLUSIONS

Neither grading as neuroendocrine carcinomas nor any individual histologic parameter showed a significant association with prognosis. Initial aggressive treatment, including complete surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy, appears to offer the best hope for prolonged survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy also should be considered, since the incidence of distant relapse is high.

Malignant struma ovarii: a case report and analysis of cases reported in the literature with focus on survival and I131 therapy

BACKGROUND

Malignant struma ovarii is a rare type of germ cell tumor that is most often diagnosed postoperatively. The natural history and optimal treatment regimen for the disease are essentially unknown due to the small numbers of published cases.

CASE

A 32-year-old woman presented with pelvic pain and an ovarian mass that was ultimately treated by total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Postoperatively, she was diagnosed with a malignant struma ovarii. The patient was subsequently treated with thyroidectomy and I(131) ablation and is currently disease free. A Medline literature search was performed and clinical data from 23 additional cases were compiled.

CONCLUSION

In this review of 24 cases, 16 patients were followed conservatively postoperatively while 8 received varied additional therapy (4 with I(131)). There were 8 recurrences and all occurred in the conservatively managed patients. I(131) for recurrent disease provided an initial complete response in 7 women. Treatment with thyroidectomy and I(131) should be considered in the first line of management for malignant struma ovarii.

Radioiodide treatment after sodium iodide symporter gene transfer is a highly effective therapy in neuroendocrine tumor cells

This study evaluates the possibility of treating Bon1 and QGP pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cells with radioactive iodide ((131)I) after stable transfection with the thyroid sodium iodide symporter (NIS). NIS expression was driven either by the strong viral cytomegalovirus promoter or by the tissue-specific chromogranin A promoter. Using either approach, NIS expression was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Uptake of radioactive iodide was increased approximately 20-fold by chromogranin A promoter-driven NIS expression and approximately 50-fold by cytomegalovirus promoter-driven NIS expression. Maximal uptake was reached within 15 min in QGP cells and 30 min in Bon1 cells. Effective half-life was 5 min in QGP and 30 min in Bon1 cells. No evidence of organification was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. (131)I was a highly effective treatment in NIS-expressing QGP and Bon1 cells, reducing clone formation by 99.83 and 98.75%, respectively, in the in vitro clonogenic assay. In contrast, clone formation was not reduced in QGP and Bon1 cells without NIS expression after incubation with the same activity concentration of (131)I as compared with mock treated cells. Absorbed doses to QGP and Bon1 cells are up to 150 and 30 Gy, respectively. In addition, a direct cytotoxic effect of radioiodide was demonstrated in NIS-expressing Bon1 cells after (131)I incubation. In conclusion, radioiodide treatment after NIS gene transfer appears to be a promising novel approach in the therapy of neuroendocrine tumors if its highly encouraging in vitro effectiveness can be transferred to the in vivo situation.

An atypical lung carcinoid tumor resected after induction therapy with involvement of the superior sulcus region: report of a case

This report presents a case of lung carcinoid tumor that showed a growth pattern similar to that of a superior sulcus tumor (SST). A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital and was diagnosed to have a stage IV (T3N2M1) SST on his right side. After three cycles of induction therapy with MVP (methotrexate/vinblastine/prednisolone) and a total dose of 45 Gy radiation given to the chest lesion, the clinical stage was restaged down to IIB (T3N0M0). A salvage operation was performed (upper lobectomy plus chest wall combined resection including the first to fourth ribs) followed by targeting adjuvant brachytherapy. The results of a histologic examination of the resected specimen revealed the tumor to be an atypical carcinoid tumor.

Tumor response and clinical benefit in neuroendocrine tumors after 7.4 GBq (90)Y-DOTATOC

The aim of this prospective phase II study was to evaluate the tumor response of neuroendocrine tumors to high-dose targeted irradiation with 7.4 GBq/m(2) of the radiolabeled somatostatin analog (90)Y-1,4,7,10-tetra-azacyclododecan-4,7,10-tricarboxy-methyl-1-yl-acetyl-D-Phe-Tyr(3)-octreotide (DOTATOC). In addition, we investigated the clinical benefit of (90)Y-DOTATOC regarding the malignant carcinoid syndrome and tumor-associated pain.

METHODS

Thirty-nine patients (mean age, 55 y) with progressive neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial tumors were included. The treatment consisted of 4 equal intravenous injections of a total of 7.4 GBq/m(2) (90)Y-DOTATOC, administered at intervals of 6 wk. After each treatment cycle, a standardized clinical benefit assessment using the National Cancer Institute grading criteria (NCI-CTC) was performed.

RESULTS

The objective response rate according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was 23%. For endocrine pancreatic tumors (13 patients), the objective response rate was 38%. Complete remissions were found in 5% (2/39), partial remissions in 18% (7/39), stable disease in 69% (27/39), and progressive disease in 8% (3/39). A significant reduction of clinical symptoms could be found in 83% of patients with diarrhea, in 46% of patients with flush, in 63% of patients with wheezing, and in 75% of patients with pellagra. The overall clinical benefit was 63%. All responses (both clinical benefit and WHO response) were ongoing for the duration of follow-up (median, 6 mo; range, 2-12 mo). Side effects were grade 3 or 4 (NCI-CTC) lymphocytopenia in 23%, grade 3 anemia in 3%, and grade 2 renal insufficiency in 3%.

CONCLUSION

High-dose targeted radiotherapy with 7.4 GBq/m(2) (90)Y-DOTATOC is a well-tolerated treatment for neuroendocrine tumors, with remarkable clinical benefit and objective response.

Indium-111-pentetreotide prolongs survival in gastroenteropancreatic malignancies

Somatostatin and its analogues bind to somatostatin receptors (sst) 1 through 5 that are overexpressed in neuroendocrine neoplasms such as gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) malignancies. After ligand-receptor binding, a fraction of the ligand-receptor complexes internalize. This internalization process is an effective means of delivering cytotoxic radiolabeled somatostatin analogues, especially those emitting short-range decay particles such as Auger electrons, to the neoplastic cell nucleus. Indium-111-pentetreotide, an sst 2 preferring somatostatin analogue with gamma and Auger electron decay characteristics, is commonly used for the scintigraphic evaluation and management of neuroendocrine cancer patients. This clinical trial was performed to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of therapeutic doses of (111)In-pentetreotide in patients with GEP tumors. GEP tumor patients who had failed all forms of conventional therapy, with worsening of tumor-related signs and symptoms and/or radiographically documented progressive disease, an expected survival less than 6 months, and sst positivity as determined by the uptake on a 6.0 mCi (111)In-pentetreotide scan (OctreoScan; Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc, St. Louis, MO), were treated with at least 2 monthly 180-mCi intravenous injections of (111)In-pentetreotide. Baseline clinical assessments, serum chemistries, and plasma pancreastatin levels were measured and repeated before each (111)In-pentetreotide treatment. From February 1997 to February 1998, 27 GEP (24 carcinoid neoplasms with carcinoid syndrome and 3 pancreatic islet cells) patients were accrued, with 26 patients evaluable for clinical and radiographic responses, 21 patients evaluable for biochemical assessments, and 27 patients evaluable for survival analysis and safety. Toxicity was evaluated by using standard National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Toxicity Criteria guidelines. Clinical benefit occurred in 16 (62%) patients. Pancreastatin levels decreased by 50% or more in 81% of the patients. Objective partial radiographic responses occurred in 2 (8%) patients, and significant tumor necrosis (defined by 20 Hounsfield units or greater decrease from baseline) developed in 7 (27%) patients. The following transient Grades 3/4 NCI Common Toxicity Criteria side effects were observed, respectively: leukocyte: 1/1; platelets: 0/2; hemoglobin: 3/0; bilirubin: 1/3; creatinine: 1/0; neurologic: 1/0. Myeloproliferative disease and/or myelodysplastic syndrome have not been observed in the 6 patients followed-up for 48+ months. The median survival was 18 months (range, 3-54+ mo). Two doses (180 mCi) of (111)In-pentetreotide are safe, well-tolerated, and improve symptoms in 62% of patients, decrease hormonal markers in 81% of patients, decrease Hounsfield units on computed tomography (CT) scans in 27% of patients, with 8% partial radiographic responses and increased expected survival in GEP cancer patients with somatostatin receptor-expressing tumors. The maximal tolerated dose of (111)In-pentetreotide and the optimal dosing schedules remain under investigation.

Comparative somatostatin receptor scintigraphy using in-111-DOTA-lanreotide and in-111-DOTA-Tyr3-octreotide versus F-18-FDG-PET for evaluation of somatostatin receptor-mediated radionuclide therapy

BACKGROUND

Based on the high number of somatostatin (SST) receptors expressed by neuroendocrine tumors, long-acting SST analogs have been successfully used for tumor detection. New developments point to the potential use of these types of radioligands for tumor-specific radionuclide therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have comparatively investigated the diagnostic capacity of the SST analog. 111In-DOTA-lanreotide (LAN), as opposed to 111ln-DOTA-DPhe1-Tyr3-octreotide (TOCT) in tumor patients. This article gives an overview of recent scintigraphic results compared to CT/MRI, 18F-FDG-PET, endoscopy and/or surgery in a threshold of 218 tumor patients.

RESULTS

As opposed to radiology, previously unknown tumor lesions were demonstrable by either SST radioligand in about one third of patients. In carcinoid patients, the SST scan sensitivity was 64% for LAN (18 of 28) and 87% (34 of 39) for TOCT, whereas the sensitivity was 100% in patients with (radioiodine-negative) thyroid cancer (17 of 17) for LAN and 95% for TOCT (20 of 21). Discordant scintigraphic results between LAN and TOCT (higher tumor uptake and/or visualisation of different lesions in the same patient) were also seen in patients with lymphoma, lung cancer and intestinal adenocarcinoma. In a direct comparison of both SST tracers in 38 tumor patients, LAN gave positive results in 35 of 38, TOCT in 36 of 38 and 18F-FDG-PET in 14 of 22 of the same patients. SST scan results obtained by both tracers were equivocal in 23 of 38 patients, but were better in 10 patients withTOCTand in 5 patients with LAN.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that both SST radioligands are suitable tracers for tumor imaging, but may give significantly different uptake results for different tumor types. Since the uptake is most important for tumor therapy, using either longacting SSTanalogs, and/or 90Y-labeled analogs, careful evaluation should be made prior to therapy.

Preliminary data on biodistribution and dosimetry for therapy planning of somatostatin receptor positive tumours: comparison of (86)Y-DOTATOC and (111)In-DTPA-octreotide

The somatostatin analogue (90)Y-DOTATOC (yttrium-90 DOTA- D-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide) is used for treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumours. Accurate pretherapeutic dosimetry would allow for individual planning of the optimal therapeutic strategy. In this study, the biodistribution and resulting dosimetric calculation for therapeutic exposure of critical organs and tumour masses based on the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer (86)Y-DOTATOC, which is chemically identical to the therapeutic agent, were compared with results based on the tracer commonly used for somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, (111)In-DTPA-octreotide (indium-111 DTPA- D-Phe(1)-octreotide, OctreoScan). Three patients with metastatic carcinoid tumours were investigated. Dynamic and static PET studies with 77-186 MBq (86)Y-DOTATOC were performed up to 48 h after injection. Serum and urinary activity were measured simultaneously. Within 1 week, but not sooner than 5 days, patients were re-investigated by conventional scintigraphy with (111)In-DTPA-octreotide (110-187 MBq) using an equivalent protocol. Based on the regional tissue uptake kinetics, residence times were calculated and doses for potential therapy with (90)Y-DOTATOC were estimated. Serum kinetics and urinary excretion of both tracers showed no relevant differences. Estimated liver doses were similar for both tracers. Dose estimation for organs with the highest level of radiation exposure, the kidneys and spleen, showed differences of 10.5%-20.1% depending on the tracer. The largest discrepancies in dose estimation, ranging from 23.1% to 85.9%, were found in tumour masses. Furthermore, there was a wide inter-subject variability in the organ kinetics. Residence times (tau(organs)) for (90)Y-DOTATOC therapy were: tau(liver) 1.59-2.79 h; tau(spleen) 0.07-1.68 h; and tau(kidneys) 0.55-2.46 h (based on (86)Y-DOTATOC). These data suggest that dosimetry based on (86)Y-DOTATOC and (111)In-DTPA-octreotide yields similar organ doses, whereas there are relevant differences in estimated tumour doses. Individual pretherapeutic dosimetry for (90)Y-DOTATOC therapy appears necessary considering the large differences in organ doses between individual patients. If possible, the dosimetry should be performed with the chemically identical tracer (86)Y-DOTATOC.

End-stage renal disease after treatment with 90Y-DOTATOC

DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide (DOTATOC), a newly developed somatostatin analogue which can be stably labelled with the beta-emitter yttrium-90, can be used for receptor-mediated internal radiotherapy. A 78-year-old woman suffering from a carcinoid of the small intestine with multiple metastases in the liver as well as mesenteric and supraclavicular lymph node metastases was treated with this therapy after the disease had progressed under other chemotherapy options employed years previously. The patient received four single doses of 90Y-DOTATOC at 6-week intervals, yielding a cumulative dose of 9,620 MBq (5,659 MBq/m2). Restaging revealed stable metastatic disease. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were within the normal range prior to starting and during DOTATOC therapy. However, 15 months after cessation of DOTATOC therapy, a progressive deterioration of renal function occurred, leading to end-stage renal disease. Urinalysis revealed a slight proteinuria of 700 mg/day without haematuria, leucocyturia or casts. There was no obvious risk factor for chronic renal insufficiency except DOTATOC therapy. However, it was not feasible to use kidney biopsy to prove the presence of radiation-induced nephritis. Intermittent haemodialysis was started as the creatinine clearance declined to below 10 ml/min. Diuresis was not affected. The presented case shows delayed renal insufficiency after a relatively low cumulative dose of 90Y-DOTATOC (5,659 MBq/m2). This serious adverse event indicates that further studies are needed to evaluate which dose of 90Y-DOTATOC, under which renal protection regimen, will provide optimal management, balancing risks and benefits.

[Medical treatment of digestive neuroendocrine tumours]

Surgery is the only therapy able to cure patients with digestive neuroendocrine tumor. However, due to the presence of diffuse metastases, radical surgery is often not feasible. In these cases, medical treatment plays a critical role, because of its ability to control symptoms in functioning tumors and to inhibit tumor growth. Different therapeutic approaches, such as chemotherapy, hepatic artery chemoembolization and targeted radio-nuclide therapy can be used alone or combined to the biologic treatment with somatostatin analogues and interferon. However, an accurate staging by imaging procedures plus a histological, immunohistochemical and biomolecular examination must be performed before planning an optimal medical treatment.

Treatment of metastatic carcinoid tumours, phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with (131)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine [(131)I-mIBG]

OBJECTIVE

Meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine labelled with 131-iodine [(131)I-mIBG] has been used extensively for imaging tumours originating from the neural crest but experience with its therapeutic use is limited, particularly for non-catecholamine secreting tumours. In order to assess the therapeutic response and potential adverse effects of the therapeutic administration of (131)I-mIBG, we have reviewed all patients who had received this form of treatment in our department.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of the case notes of patients with neuroendocrine tumours who received treatment with (131)I-mIBG and were followed-up according to a defined protocol in a given time frame.

PATIENTS

Thirty-seven patients (18 with metastatic carcinoid tumours, 8 metastatic phaeochromocytoma, 7 metastatic paraganglioma and 4 metastatic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid) treated with (131)I-mIBG over a 15-year period were included in this analysis.

MEASUREMENTS

The symptomatic, hormonal and tumoural responses before and after (131)I-mIBG therapy over a median follow-up duration of 32 months (range 5-180 months) were recorded. Of the 37 patients (22 males; median age 51 years, range 18-81 years), 15 were treated with (131)I-mIBG alone whereas the other 22 received additional therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 116 therapeutic (131)I-mIBG doses were administered [mean cumulative dose 592 mCi (21.9 GBq); range 200-1592 mCi (7.4-58.9 GBq)]. None of the patients showed a complete tumour response. However, 82% of patients treated with (131)I-mIBG alone and 84% who received additional therapy showed stable disease over the period of follow-up. Overall survival during the period of the study was 71%. The overall 5-year survival rate was 85% (95% confidence interval, 72-99%) for all patients and 78% (95% confidence interval, 55-100%) for the carcinoid group alone, according to Kaplan-Meier analysis. Symptomatic control was achieved in all the patients treated with (131)I-mIBG alone, and in 72% of those receiving additional therapy. Hormonal control was noted in 50% and 57% of patients, respectively. (131)I-mIBG therapy was safe and well tolerated. Serious side-effects necessitating the termination of (131)I-mIBG therapy were seen in only 2 of our patients.

CONCLUSIONS

(131)I-mIBG therapy produces symptomatic and hormonal improvement and moderate tumour regression/stabilization in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours with minimal adverse effects. It may be a valuable alternative or additional therapeutic option to the currently available conventional treatment modalities.

Carcinoid tumour of the orbital muscles: A rare occurrence

Malignant carcinoid tumours are rare and usually follow an indolent course. Metastases from these tumours are uncommon, and usually involve bone, liver and lymph nodes. Orbital metastases have rarely been described, and generally involve the choroid rather than orbital structures. Our knowledge of the response of these tumours to radiotherapy is extremely limited. Two cases of orbital metastases treated with radiotherapy are presented here and the literature on the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy for this tumour is reviewed. Recommendations are made regarding an effective radiotherapy regimen for treating orbital metastases from malignant carcinoid tumours.

Patient dosimetry after 131I-MIBG therapy for neuroblastoma and carcinoid tumours

AIM

The aim of the study was to determine the equivalent total body dose (ETBD) using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay in 22 131 I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131 I-MIBG) therapies (18 neuroblastoma, mean 5097 MBq, SD 1591; and four carcinoid tumours, mean 7681 MBq, SD 487). The results are correlated with the total body radiation dose according to the Medical Internal Radiation Dosimetry (MIRD) formalism.

METHODS

For each patient, blood samples were taken immediately before and 1 week after 131I-MIBG therapy. The first blood sample was irradiated in vitro with 60Co gamma-rays to determine the dose-response curve. Micronuclei were scored in 1000 binucleated cells. By using the dose-response curve the ETBD was derived from the increase in micronuclei after 131I-MIBG therapy (second blood sample). Based on three consecutive biplanar scans taken at 3, 6 and 9 days post-administration respectively, the total body dose following the MIRD formalism was calculated.

RESULTS

The micronucleus assay was evaluable in only 14 out of 22 131I-MIBG therapies due to cell division inhibition caused by previous chemotherapy treatments and lymphocyte dilution due to blood transfusions given shortly after 131I-MIBG therapy. For these 14 therapies, the mean micronucleus yield after 131I-MIBG therapy was significantly increased (P < 0.01) with a mean of 92 (SD 77) for neuroblastoma patients and with a mean of 35 (SD 8) for carcinoid patients. The increase observed in the present study is greater than previously observed after 131I therapy and 89Sr therapy but much lower than after external beam radiotherapy. For all patients treated with multiple therapies, the initial increase in micronucleus yield had at least partially recovered by the time of the next therapy. This might be explained by an increased turnover of lymphocytes. A mean ETBD of 0.95 Gy (SD 0.55) for neuroblastoma patients and a mean of 0.46 Gy (SD 0.09) for carcinoid patients was calculated. A reasonable correlation (R = 0.87) between the ETBD and the MIRD dose was obtained. The slope value of 0.75 can be explained by the low dose rate effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The observation in the present study of important inter-individual variability in the total body dose, with the possibility of high dose values, suggests the necessity of individual dosimetry when administering 131I-MIBG therapy, especially considering that generally more than one therapy is given to each patient.

Improved effect of 131I-MIBG treatment by predosing with non-radiolabeled MIBG in carcinoid patients, and studies in xenografted mice

BACKGROUND

131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) has been used with success for the palliation of metastatic carcinoid. To qualify more patients for this treatment, we evaluated the effect of predosing with non-radiolabeled MIBG on 131I-MIBG tumour targeting in carcinoid patients and in mice with BON human carcinoid xenografts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten carcinoid patients with a faint tumour imaging on a diagnostic 131I-MIBG scan (1 mCi = 37 MBq, 5 mg MIBG) received non-radiolabeled MIBG prior to a second scintigraphy. In case of improved tumour targeting patients were treated with 200 mCi (7.4 GBq) 131I-MIBG following a pharmacological predose of 20-40 mg/m2 MIBG.

RESULTS

In six patients. highly increased 'tumour/non-tumour' ratios were seen due to reduced levels in normal tissues and increased tumour accumulation. The combined treatment applied in five patients, considerably improved symptoms in all (duration 6-12 months), accompanied by biochemical response in three. In BON carcinoid xenografted mice, MIBG was injected intraperitoneally followed by intravenous 125I-MIBG with similar findings: increased 'tumour/non-tumour' radioactivity ratios by 1.5-3-fold.

CONCLUSION

Predosing with non-radiolabeled MIBG resulted in improved 131I-MIBG tumour targeting, prolonged palliation and encouragingly often biochemical responses in carcinoid.