Dr. Strosberg on Radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogs in GEP-NETs

Jonathan R. Strosberg, MD, associate professor, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses the development of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in the treatment of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).

Radiolabeled somatostatin analogs have been developed for the past several decades, primarily in Europe. They have been manufactured in hospitals and have treated thousands of patients. The radiolabeled somatostatin analog works through delivery to a somatostatin receptor expressing NET.

The results have been quite good with response rates ranging from about 20% to as high as 50% in pancreatic NETs. Significant median progression-free-survival (PFS) durations have also been reported. Though it took time for the phase III NETTER-1 trial to get regulatory approval, the results showed substantial improvement in PFS as well as strong evidence that overall survival is improved. In a few years, this will be re-examined with mature analysis.