Caring for Patients Receiving 177Lu-DOTATATE, Lutathera?: A Treatment of Hope for Patients With Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

摘要

Lutathera the trademark for lutetium 177Lu-DOTATATE registered to Advanced Accelerator Applications SA, is a peptide receptor radionuclide therapy used to treat gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors positive for hormone receptor somatostatin. Lutathera specifically targets known tumor receptors and has been shown to decrease both tumor growth and spread. While available in Europe for many years, the Federal Drug Administration approved the use of 177Lu-DOTATATE in the United States in January 2018. 177Lu (lutetium) is a radioactive isotope with special precautions and considerations for safe administration of this treatment. When nuclear medicine, radiation safety, nursing, and the physicians work together as a team, the safe administration of Lutathera provides patients with another treatment option to battle cancer.