⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Tumours

Principal Investigator: Dr. François Bénard
BC Cancer
600 W 10th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4E6
PET Reception/Booking: 604.707.5951 (toll-free 1.800.663.3333, ext. 5951)
Fax Referrals to: 604.877.6245

Rationale & Background

Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) arise from neural and endocrine cells which derive from the primitive cells of the neural crest and represent a heterogeneous group of tumours with distinct biology and clinical behaviour. Although most tumours are generally indolent, they can be aggressive and resistant to therapy. A unique feature of NETs is the over-expression of somatostatin receptor (SSTR). NETs are assessed with morphological imaging such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). NETs can also be imaged using radiolabelled SSTR analogs (like ¹¹¹In-pentreotide). ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA peptides were shown to have significantly higher SSTR binding affinity compared to ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide.

Objectives

To demonstrate the safety and sensitivity of ⁶⁸Gallium-DOTATOC (⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC) Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in diagnosis, staging and detection of SSTR positive tumours, particularly NETs.

Study Design

Up to 400 adult patients will be invited to take part in this study. The study involves two PET/CT exams, one using ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC and the other using ¹⁸F-FDG. All patient referrals that meet the indications for performing this test should be faxed to the Functional Imaging Department at BC Cancer – Vancouver Centre.

The indication for performing this test is the need for non-invasive, functional imaging for either staging or re-staging of:

• Gastroenteropancreatic tumours (e.g. carcinoids, gastrinoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma, VIPoma, etc.), functioning and non-functioning
• Sympathoadrenal system tumours (phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma)
• Medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Pituitary adenoma
• Medulloblastoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• Small-cell lung cancer (mainly primary tumours)
• Meningioma
• Or any other NET / with potential for overexpression of SSTR

Below are the patient referral form and the main study consent form for adult patients.  Patients should not sign the consent form prior to arrival for their PET/CT scan. The consent forms are available for review purposes only.

• DOTATOC Referral Form
  
• DOTATOC Consent Form