Lutetium-177 Therapy for Neuroendocrine Tumors

(LUMOD-ID Trial)

Overseen By Stephen A Graves, Ph.D., DABR

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of Iowa

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Active infection, Heart failure, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

Duration: 32 weeks

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines a treatment for neuroendocrine tumors that cannot be surgically removed. The researchers aim to determine if a personalized dosing method of Lutathera (Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy) improves patient outcomes compared to standard treatment. Participants will receive either the usual dose or a tailored dose based on specific scans and tests. This trial suits adults with certain types of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors diagnosed and measured using specific imaging. Participants should be prepared to follow the treatment plan and visit the clinic regularly for follow-up. As a Phase 2 trial, this research measures the treatment's effectiveness in an initial, smaller group of people.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, a review of your current medications will be conducted to confirm the appropriateness of Lutathera treatment.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy is generally safe for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Earlier studies identified the most common serious side effects as low white blood cell levels, known as lymphopenia, in 44% of patients, and elevated levels of the liver enzyme GGT in 20% of patients. Some patients also experienced vomiting.

The FDA approved this treatment in 2018 for certain types of neuroendocrine tumors, indicating a known and acceptable safety profile. The current trial uses a dosimetry-based approach, adjusting the dose for each patient. This method could improve safety by considering individual differences in how radiation affects vital organs like the bone marrow and kidneys.

Overall, while some risks exist, the therapy has a well-established safety record. The dosimetry-based dosing aims to manage these risks more effectively. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for neuroendocrine tumors?

Researchers are excited about the potential of Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy for treating neuroendocrine tumors because it's a bit different from current options. Unlike traditional chemotherapy and surgery, this treatment uses a radioactive compound that targets and binds specifically to tumor cells, delivering radiation directly to them and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The standard arm administers a consistent dose, while the experimental arm tailors the dose based on dosimetry, allowing for personalized treatment that maximizes effectiveness while minimizing side effects. These features not only promise a more targeted approach but also the potential for improved outcomes and fewer side effects compared to existing treatments.

What evidence suggests that Lutetium-177 therapy might be an effective treatment for neuroendocrine tumors?

Research has shown that Lutetium-177 dotatate effectively treats certain neuroendocrine tumors. Studies have found it significantly extends the time before the cancer worsens. In this trial, participants will receive either standard Lutetium-177 dotatate therapy or a dosimetry-based approach. Direct comparisons revealed that patients receiving Lutetium-177 dotatate achieved better results than those on other treatments like high-dose octreotide. This therapy works particularly well for tumors with high levels of somatostatin receptors, allowing the drug to target cancer cells more precisely. Overall, Lutetium-177 dotatate is considered a cost-effective treatment option and has shown promise in shrinking or stabilizing advanced tumors. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Stephen Graves, Ph.D., DABR

Principal Investigator

University of Iowa

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with neuroendocrine tumors that can't be removed by surgery. Participants will need to undergo special PET imaging scans and are willing to follow up regularly at the clinic. Specific eligibility details aren't provided, but typically include factors like age, health status, and type of tumor.

Inclusion Criteria

Platelet count within normal limits within 28 days of treatment day 1

Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Neutrophil count within normal limits within 28 days of treatment day 1

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals who are pregnant or lactating

I have previously undergone peptide-receptor radiotherapy.

I do not have any serious illnesses or social situations that would stop me from following the study's requirements.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive Lutetium-177 DOTATATE treatment every 8 weeks for up to 4 cycles, with dosimetry-based adjustments for investigational group

32 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with visits at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment

12 months

4 visits (in-person)

Long-term follow-up

Participants have life-long follow-up to monitor for late-onset radiation side effects

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy

Trial Overview The study tests if customizing doses of Lutathera based on individual dosimetry leads to better outcomes compared to standard FDA-approved treatment. Patients will either receive the standard dose or a personalized dose determined by advanced imaging techniques.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dosimetry-based lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intravenous administration of lutetium Lu 177 dotatate once every 8 weeks for up to 4 total cycles. Intended administered radioactivity: Cycle 1: 200 millicuries (mCi) Cycles 2, 3, and 4: based upon dosimetry for radiation exposure to bone marrow (no more than 1 Gy per administration) and kidneys (maximum dose 28 Gy total). Not to exceed 400 millicuries (mCi) per cycle (1400 mCi maximum for all cycles).

Group II: Standard lutetium Lu 177 dotatate Active Control 1 Intervention

Intravenous administration of lutetium Lu 177 dotatate once every 8 weeks for up to 4 total cycles. Each cycle is intended to receive 200 millicuries of radioactivity for a total treatment of 800 millicuries.

Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate therapy is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Lutathera for:

• Somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), including foregut, midgut, and hindgut neuroendocrine tumors in adults

Approved in European Union as Lutathera for:

• Somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), including foregut, midgut, and hindgut neuroendocrine tumors in adults

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Iowa

Lead Sponsor

Trials

486

Recruited

934,000+

Novartis

Industry Sponsor

Trials

1,646

Recruited

2,778,000+

Vasant Narasimhan

Novartis

Chief Executive Officer since 2018

MD from Harvard Medical School, Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from University of Chicago, Master's in Public Policy from John F. Kennedy School of Government

Shreeram Aradhye

Novartis

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from Yale University, MSc in Clinical Epidemiology from University of Pennsylvania

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 79 patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors treated with Lu-DOTATATE, 13% showed a partial response and 64% had stable disease, with a median time to progression of 28 months overall.

The treatment was found to be safe, with only a few patients experiencing mild toxicity, including grade 1 haematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, supporting its use as an effective option for managing these tumors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early efficacy of and toxicity from lutetium-177-DOTATATE treatment in patients with progressive metastatic NET. Pencharz, D., Walker, M., Yalchin, M., et al.[2019]

The study developed and validated a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for quality control of the radiopeptide [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, ensuring its radiochemical purity meets therapeutic standards (95-105% of label claim).

The HPLC method demonstrated accuracy, precision, and sensitivity, making it suitable for clinical samples, which is crucial for the safe and effective use of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE in treating neuroendocrine tumors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatography method to determine the radiochemical purity of [177Lu]Lu-HA-DOTA-TATE in pharmaceutical preparations. van Andel, L., Aalbersberg, EA., Geluk-Jonker, MM., et al.[2021]

Lutetium Lu-177 dotatate is an effective treatment for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, significantly improving progression-free survival, as shown in European studies.

In a study of 12 patients, tumor flare reactions were observed in 5 patients, but these reactions can be effectively managed with corticosteroids or other strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lutetium Lu-177 Dotatate Flare Reaction. Salner, AL., Blankenship, B., Dunnack, H., et al.[2022]

Treatment with (177)Lu-DOTATATE, a radiolabelled somatostatin analogue, shows promising results in managing inoperable or metastasized neuroendocrine tumors, with significant tumor regression and a median progression-free survival of over 40 months.

The therapy is associated with few and mild side effects, especially when kidney-protective agents are used, and it significantly improves patients' quality of life, suggesting it could become a first-choice treatment option for these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lutetium-labelled peptides for therapy of neuroendocrine tumours. Kam, BL., Teunissen, JJ., Krenning, EP., et al.[2022]

177Lu-octreotate therapy showed potential effectiveness in treating paragangliomas and meningiomas, with some patients experiencing tumor regression or stable disease, although response rates were lower than in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The treatment did not demonstrate any antitumor effects in patients with small cell lung carcinoma or melanoma, highlighting the need for further studies to confirm these findings due to the small patient sample size.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of therapy with [177Lu-DOTA0, Tyr3]octreotate in patients with paraganglioma, meningioma, small cell lung carcinoma, and melanoma. van Essen, M., Krenning, EP., Kooij, PP., et al.[2013]

In a phase 2 clinical trial involving 37 patients with progressive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, treatment with Lutetium (177) DOTATATE showed that 28% of patients had a partial response and 41% had stable disease, indicating effective disease control.

The therapy was well tolerated with no significant acute or delayed toxicity observed, and it led to improvements in patients' performance status and quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE for patients with somatostatin receptor-expressing neuroendocrine tumors: the first US phase 2 experience. Delpassand, ES., Samarghandi, A., Zamanian, S., et al.[2022]

In a study involving seven patients with neuroendocrine tumors, the peptide [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate ((177)Lu-DOTATATE) demonstrated a longer residence time in tumors compared to [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide ((177)Lu-DOTATOC), suggesting it may be more effective for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

Although (177)Lu-DOTATATE resulted in longer residence times in the kidneys, the overall tumor dose was still higher, making (177)Lu-DOTATATE the preferred choice for PRRT despite potential kidney dose concerns.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotate and [(177)Lu-DOTA(0),Tyr(3)]octreotide: which peptide is preferable for PRRT? Esser, JP., Krenning, EP., Teunissen, JJ., et al.[2019]

A study of 32 administrations of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE showed that using lead aprons significantly reduced radiation exposure for medical staff, with reductions of up to 71% for physicians and 68% for nurses.

The average radiation dose measured was consistent across different monitoring methods, indicating that with proper safety measures, administering [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE can be done safely, although regular monitoring is essential to stay within annual dose limits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Radiation exposure assessment of nuclear medicine staff administering [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE with active and passive dosimetry. Riveira-Martin, M., Struelens, L., Muñoz Iglesias, J., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587368/

Neuroendocrine Tumor 177Lutetium-Dotatate Therapy - NCBI This treatment is commonly indicated for well-differentiated tumors with relatively high expression of somatostatin receptors. 177Lu-dotatate is ...

2. nejm.org nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1607427

Phase 3 Trial of 177 Lu-Dotatate for Midgut ... Treatment with 177 Lu-Dotatate resulted in markedly longer progression-free survival and a significantly higher response rate than high-dose octreotide LAR.

3. jnm.snmjournals.org jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2025/06/05/jnumed.124.269416

Cost-Effectiveness of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE for the Treatment ... Conclusion: [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE is cost-effective as a first-line treatment for patients with grade 2 or 3, well-differentiated, advanced ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04665739

NCT04665739 | Testing Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate in ... Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate may be more effective than everolimus in shrinking or stabilizing advanced bronchial neuroendocrine tumors. Detailed Description.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11137281/

Long-term clinical outcomes of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in ... Our study demonstrated a notable response in patients with non-ileal primaries and heavily pretreated disease, warranting further studies for additional cycles ...

6. lutathera-hcp.com lutathera-hcp.com/2l-netter-1-safety

2L: NETTER-1 Safety | HCP The most common grade 3/4 adverse reactions with a higher incidence in the LUTATHERA arm were lymphopenia (44%), increased GGT (20%), vomiting (7%), ...

7. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.4131

Safety and time to response of [ 177 Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in ... With a median TTR of 5.7 months, most responses to 177 Lu-DOTATATE occurred during scheduled treatment. Overall, the study confirmed the safety profile of 177 ...

8. jnm.snmjournals.org jnm.snmjournals.org/content/66/3/449

Dosimetry of [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE in Patients with Advanced ... This substudy of the phase III NETTER-1 trial evaluated [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE (hereafter 177Lu-DOTATATE) for advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors ...

9. fda.gov fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-lutetium-lu-177-dotatate-pediatric-patients-12-years-and-older-gep-nets

FDA approves lutetium Lu 177 dotatate for pediatric ... The recommended lutetium Lu 177 dotatate dose is 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) every 8 weeks (± 1 week) for a total of 4 doses. Premedications and ...