Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2651

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Endocrinology and Radioisotope Therapy, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: neuroendocrine neoplasms; radioligand therapy; thyroid cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The treatment methods for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have been rapidly advancing in recent years. New treatment models now include the use of radioligand therapy (RLT) as an earlier line of treatment. The use of radiopharmaceuticals introduces new possibilities for patients, extending their progression-free survival and overall survival compared to other therapies.

In light of this, we would like to extend an invitation to all researchers working in the field of neuroendocrine neoplasms and radioligand therapies to contribute to a Special Issue of Cancers entitled "Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms". We hope that you will share your experiences and study results with us. In addition to original articles, comprehensive reviews are also welcomed.

We anticipate that the deadline of 31 October 2024, will be acceptable for all contributors and provide sufficient time for the preparation of high-value publications.

Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Kamiński
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs)
  • neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
  • radioligand therapy (RLT)
  • peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 679 KiB  
Article
Adverse Events of Radioligand Therapy in Patients with Progressive Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: The Biggest Eastern European Prospective Study
by Adam Daniel Durma, Marek Saracyn, Maciej Kołodziej, Katarzyna Jóźwik-Plebanek, Dorota Brodowska-Kania, Beata Dmochowska, Adrianna Mróz, Beata Kos-Kudła and Grzegorz Kamiński
Cancers 2024, 16(20), 3509; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16203509 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are neoplastic tumors developing in every part of the body, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Their treatment involves the surgical removal of the tumor and its metastasis, long-acting somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radioligand therapy (RLT). [...] Read more.
Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are neoplastic tumors developing in every part of the body, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Their treatment involves the surgical removal of the tumor and its metastasis, long-acting somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radioligand therapy (RLT). Materials and Methods: A total of 127 patients with progressive neuroendocrine neoplasms underwent RLT—4 courses, administered every 10 weeks—with the use of 7.4 GBq [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE or tandem therapy with 1.85 GBq [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and 1.85 GBq [90Y]Y-DOTA-TATE. Assessment of short- and long-term complications, as well as the calculation of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed. Results: RLT caused a statistically but not clinically significant decrease in blood morphology parameters during both short- and long-term observations. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) significantly decreased only in a long-term observation after RLT; however, it was clinically acceptable. Computed predictions of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) indicated that five years post-RLT, there is a 74% chance of patients surviving, with only a 58.5% likelihood of disease progression. Conclusions: Computed predictions of PFS and OS confirmed treatment efficiency and good patient survival. RLT should be considered a safe and reliable line of treatment for patients with progressive NENs as it causes only a low number of low-grade adverse events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1770 KiB  
Article
Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy versus Capecitabine/Temozolomide for the Treatment of Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
by Rushabh Gujarathi, Joseph Tobias, Sara Abou Azar, Xavier M. Keutgen and Chih-Yi Liao
Cancers 2024, 16(17), 2993; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16172993 - 28 Aug 2024
Viewed by 762
Abstract
Background: Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), a form of Radioligand Therapy (RLT), and Capecitabine/Temozolomide (CAPTEM) are cornerstones of systemic therapy for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). Data regarding comparative efficacy are lacking. Herein, we compare the efficacy of PRRT vs. CAPTEM as second-line/beyond [...] Read more.
Background: Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), a form of Radioligand Therapy (RLT), and Capecitabine/Temozolomide (CAPTEM) are cornerstones of systemic therapy for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). Data regarding comparative efficacy are lacking. Herein, we compare the efficacy of PRRT vs. CAPTEM as second-line/beyond regimens and treatment sequencing. Methods: Clinicopathologic, radiographic, and genomic data were captured for metastatic PNETs seen in our multi-disciplinary NET clinic between 2013 and 2023. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS) after progression on a previous line of systemic therapy. The secondary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), time to response (TTR), and overall survival (OS). Results: Fifty-nine cases were included. PFS was similar in the PRRT (n = 29) and CAPTEM (n = 30) groups (PRRT = 21.90 months vs. CAPTEM = 20.03 months; HR 0.99; p = 0.97). On subgroup analysis, PRRT had longer PFS in cases without extrahepatic metastases (26.47 months vs. 17.67 months; p = 0.03) and cases with a mutation in the MEN1, DAXX, and/or ATRX genes (28.43 months vs. 18.67 months; p = 0.03). PRRT had reduced PFS in patients with grade 3 disease (7.83 months vs. 16.33 months; p = 0.02). ORR did not vary significantly (34.78% vs. 40.91%; p = 0.67). CAPTEM responders showed shorter TTR (6.03 months vs. 11.15 months; p = 0.03). In patients who received both, OS did not vary based on the sequence (HR 1.20; p = 0.75). Conclusions: PFS, ORR, and OS are similar when using PRRT vs. CAPTEM as second-line-and-beyond therapy for patients with metastatic PNETs. However, patients with MEN1, DAXX, and/or ATRX mutations or without extrahepatic metastases might better benefit from PRRT and patients with grade 3 disease from CAPTEM. Candidates for surgical debulking or with tumor-induced symptoms may benefit from initial treatment with CAPTEM due to shorter TTR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3370 KiB  
Article
Serum β-hCG as a Biomarker in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Rethinking Single-Analyte Approach
by Paweł Komarnicki, Paweł Gut, Maja Cieślewicz, Jan Musiałkiewicz, Adam Maciejewski, Michalina Czupińska, George Mastorakos and Marek Ruchała
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112060 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 884
Abstract
Despite recent advances, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remain a challenging topic, due to their diversity and the lack of suitable biomarkers. Multianalyte assays and the shift to an omics-based approach improve on the conventional single-analyte strategy, albeit with their own drawbacks. We explored the [...] Read more.
Despite recent advances, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remain a challenging topic, due to their diversity and the lack of suitable biomarkers. Multianalyte assays and the shift to an omics-based approach improve on the conventional single-analyte strategy, albeit with their own drawbacks. We explored the potential of serum β-hCG as a biomarker for NETs and discussed its role in disease monitoring. We recruited 40 patients with non-functioning pancreatic NETs, all with liver metastases. Serum β-hCG concentrations were measured at 3-month intervals over 48 months. We performed a comparative and a repeated measures analysis of β-hCG depending on WHO grade (G1, G2), liver tumor burden (LTB; below 10%, 10–25%), and RECIST 1.1. (stable disease, progressive disease). Patients with progressive disease (p < 0.001), 10–25% LTB (p < 0.001) and WHO Grade 2 (p < 0.001) displayed higher β-hCG concentrations. Throughout the study, β-hCG concentrations consistently increased across the entire cohort. Delta β-hCG during the study period was greater in patients with 10–25% LTB (p < 0.001), progressive disease (p < 0.001), and G2 (p = 0.003). Serum β-hCG correlates with established indicators of malignancy and disease progression in metastatic NETs, supporting further studies as a monitoring and prognostic biomarker. Despite promising results from novel biomarkers, there is still a place for single-analyte assays in NETs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop