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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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01-08-2008 | Original Article

Comparison between ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC and ¹⁸F-DOPA PET for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours

Authors: Valentina Ambrosini, Paola Tomassetti, Paolo Castellucci, Davide Campana, Giancarlo Montini, Domenico Rubello, Cristina Nanni, Anna Rizzello, Roberto Franchi, Stefano Fanti

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 8/2008

Abstract

Purpose

¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) value for the assessment of neuro-endocrine tumours (NET) is limited. Preliminary studies indicate that ¹⁸F-DOPA and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC are more accurate for disease assessment and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA peptides provide additional data on receptor status that are crucial for targeted radionuclide therapy. At present, there are no comparative studies investigating their role in NET.

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC and ¹⁸F-DOPA for the evaluation of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours.

Materials and methods

Thirteen patients with biopsy-proven NET (gastro-entero-pancreatic or pulmonary) were prospectively enrolled and scheduled for ¹⁸F-DOPA and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC PET. PET results obtained with both tracers were compared with each other, with other conventional diagnostic procedures (CT, ultrasound) and with follow-up (clinical, imaging).

Results

The most common primary tumour site was the pancreas (8/13) followed by the ileum (2/13), the lung (2/13) and the duodenum (1/13). The carcinoma was well differentiated in 10/13 and poorly differentiated in 3/13 cases. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC PET was positive, showing at least one lesion, in 13/13 cases while ¹⁸F-DOPA PET was positive in 9/13. On a lesions basis, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC identified more lesions than ¹⁸F-DOPA (71 vs 45), especially at liver, lung and lymph node level. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC correctly identified the primary site in six of eight non-operated cases (in five cases, the primary was surgically removed before PET), while ¹⁸F-DOPA identified the primary only in two of eight cases.

Conclusions

Although the patients studied are few and heterogeneous, our data show that ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC is accurate for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours in either the primary or metastatic site and that it offers several advantages over ¹⁸F-DOPA.

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Title: Comparison between 68Ga-DOTA-NOC and 18F-DOPA PET for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours
Authors: Valentina Ambrosini
Paola Tomassetti
Paolo Castellucci
Davide Campana
Giancarlo Montini
Domenico Rubello
Cristina Nanni
Anna Rizzello
Roberto Franchi
Stefano Fanti
Publication date: 01-08-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-008-0769-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Comparison between ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC and ¹⁸F-DOPA PET for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours

Abstract

Purpose

Aim

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Aim

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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