A Peptide Meets a Radionuclide to Combat a Rare Tumor.

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare malignancies with limited treatment options beyond surgery. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a process by which a somatostatin analog (octreotate) is combined with a chelator (DOTA) and a radionuclide (lutetium-177 [177Lu-dotatate]). This therapy targets receptors on neuroendocrine cells, causing internalization of the radionuclide by the tumor cell, which results in cellular damage and apoptosis. Case Report: We describe the clinical and therapeutic course of a 69-year-old male with a metastatic rectal NEC in whom progressive disease was noted after multiple therapies were attempted. After PRRT with 177Lu-dotatate, the patient was asymptomatic and demonstrated a near-complete radiologic response. Conclusion: This case illustrates that treatment with PRRT may improve the outcome of patients with metastatic rectal NEC. Our case highlights the importance of further research into the use of PRRT in patients with a Ki-67 <55% and uptake on somatostatin receptor imaging.

Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Outcomes by Number of Lines of Therapy.

Metastatic colorectal cancer represents the most common liver malignancy, and imparts a very poor prognosis for those who develop this disease. Unlike primary liver tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma, which largely develops in patients with underlying cirrhosis, most metastatic liver tumor patients have normal underlying liver function. Owing to this, most will succumb to tumoral replacement of the liver rather than from underlying liver dysfunction. Radioembolization represents a treatment modality that can be used in multiple fashions to treat one or both lobes of the liver. Techniques depend on whether the procedure is used as first-line, second/third-line, or as salvage therapy. Outcomes and complications of radioembolization are presented in this article, as well as background information on colorectal cancer and systemic therapies.

Partial splenic embolization for hypersplenism before and after liver transplantation.

Partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been demonstrated to be an effective alternative to splenectomy for patients with hypersplenism. Splenectomy in these patients can be associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications, overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis (OPSS) and mortality. Partial splenic embolization has the advantages of non- operative intervention and resolution of the complications of hypersplenism. We report the use of this technique in patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism awaiting liver transplant and patients that have undergone othotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) with persistent hypersplenism post-transplant. Six patients--three awaiting liver transplantation and three patients with persistent hypersplenism status post-OLTx--were treated during the period of 1993-99 at the LSUHSC/Willis Knighton Regional Transplant Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three patients were male and three female. All six patients had concomitant thrombocytopenia and neutropenia with platelet counts below 50,000. Patients underwent selective arterial catheterization and embolization via a percutaneous approach with Cook microcoils or PVA particles. The lower pole of the spleen was selectively embolized in all patients to achieve a 30-50% reduction in flow as determined by angiography. Patients were followed with routine computed tomography (CT) scans, platelet and WBC counts for a mean of 26 months in the pre-transplant and 37 months in the post-transplant group. In both groups, all patients had persistent resolution of thrombocytopenia and neutropenia after embolization. In the post-transplant group, one patient had persistent splenomegaly and required splenectomy for pain control. No procedure-related complications occurred in any patient. In this limited review, PSE appears to be a safe and effective treatment of persistent hypersplenism in patients with portal hypertension and those who have undergone OLTx.