Localization of Radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogs in the Spleen

Clin Nucl Med. 2016 Feb;41(2):e111-4. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001026.

Abstract

Radiolabeled somatostatin (SST) analogs, used to visualize and treat SST receptor (SSTR)-expressing neuroendocrine tumors, also accumulate in the spleen. There is a high interpatient variation and no significant radiation-induced splenic toxicity; however, an absorbed dose-related reduction in spleen size was detected. However, the exact localization of radioactivity and the role of SST receptors in splenic retention are unknown. Therefore, we performed ex vivo micro-SPECT of the isolated spleen from a patient with a pancreatic neoplasm after 1 GBq (27 mCi) Lu-DOTATATE administration, followed by autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Ex vivo autoradiography demonstrated convincingly that most radioactivity accumulated in red pulp.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Octreotide / adverse effects
  • Octreotide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Octreotide / pharmacokinetics
  • Organometallic Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / adverse effects*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • lutetium Lu 177 dotatate
  • Octreotide