Functional imaging of neuroendocrine tumors with combined PET/CT using 68Ga-DOTATATE (DOTA-DPhe1,Tyr3-octreotate) and 18F-FDG

Cancer. 2008 Jun;112(11):2447-55. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23469.

Abstract

Background: The aim was to assess the relevant distribution of the novel PET tracer (68)Ga-DOTATATE in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with combined positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) and compare its performance with that of (18)F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods: The imaging findings with (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (18)F-FDG on 38 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of primary or recurrent NET were compared and correlated with tumor grade on histology based on ki67 and mitotic index.

Results: The sensitivity of (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT was 82% (31 of 38) and that of (18)F-FDG PET/CT was 66% (25 of 38). The sensitivity of combined (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (18)F-FDG PET/CT was 92% (35 of 38). There was greater uptake of (68)Ga-DOTATATE than (18)F-FDG in low-grade NET (median SUV 29 vs 2.9, P < .001). In high-grade NET there was higher uptake of (18)F-FDG over (68)Ga-DOTATATE (median SUV 11.7 vs 4.4, P = .03). There was a significant correlation with predominant tumor uptake of (68)Ga-DOTATATE or (18)F-FDG and tumor grade on histology (P < .0001).

Conclusions: (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is a useful novel imaging modality for NETs and is superior to (18)F-FDG for imaging well-differentiated NET. Functional imaging with both (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (18)F-FDG has potential for a more comprehensive tumor assessment in intermediate- and high-grade tumors.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Gallium
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnostic imaging*
  • Organometallic Compounds*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Prognosis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • gallium Ga 68 dotatate
  • Gallium