Dr. Chauhan on the Role of Lutathera in NETs

Aman Chauhan, MD, a medical oncologist at the University of Kentucky, discusses the role of ​Lutathera (lutetium 177-​dotatate) in neuroendocrine tumors ​(NETs).

​The introduction of Lutathera has been a significant advancement in the NETs treatment paradigm, says Chauhan.

The randomized phase 3 NETTER-1 trial, which served as the basis for the regulatory approval of Lutathera in January 2018, showed superior efficacy ​with Lutathera versus high-dose octreotide ​(Sandostatin).

Notably, Lutathera is a radiopharmaceutical where ​a lutetium-177 ​isotope is attached to ​dotatate, a somatostatin analog​, says Chauhan. The agent attaches to somatostatin receptor ​2, which is abundantly found in NETs.

Per the regulatory indication, patients can receive 1 dose of ​intravenous Lutathera every 2 months,​ Chauhan explains.

The therapy continuously emits radiation, causing single​- and double​-stranded DNA damage in tumor cells, ​which kill​s the cells over a period of time, Chauhan concludes.