Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) Has Become a Clinical Reality for Neuroendocrine Tumors

 

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (also known as radioisotope therapy) is used to treat a specific type of cancer named neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Three types of radiations such as Auger electrons, α particles, and β−particles (electrons) are used in the peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Of which, β−particles are widely used in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, as it has a long-range to penetrate in target tissues and neighboring cells around the targeted tissue/cell. PRRT is widely used to treat the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and gastrointestinal tract neuroendocrine tumor.

Increasing incidence of pancreatic and gastrointestinal tract neuroendocrine tumors worldwide is expected to increase the demand for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Each year, around 1,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, while the number of people with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor is also increasing by around 5%. Moreover, around 2,900 people in the U.K are diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor every year. Over the years, PRRT has become a clinical reality for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in many countries around the world, such as the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Singapore, etc.

Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting after the administration of the peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. It can be managed with an anti-nausea drug or by slowing the administration of amino acids. Moreover, peptides that target tumors have strong negative effects on normal tissue and can cause inflammation and scarring. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is recommended for those who have somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors that develop in the pancreas, rectum, stomach, and small/large intestine.

PRRT helps slow the progression of the disease in patients with gastroenteropancreatic NET and reduce the severity of side effects. Moreover, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy provides patients with a more precise, personalized, treatment, with drugs designed according to the biology of each patient and the molecular properties of the tumor, limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue.