The role of combined imaging in metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma: 111In-DTPA-octreotide and 131I/123I-MIBG as predictors for radionuclide therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The medical treatment of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is still questionable. The aim of this study was to evaluate a combined imaging protocol using 111In-DTPA-octreotide and 131I/123I-MIBG to decide whether targeted radiotherapy would be useful, and which radiopharmaceutical (90Y-DOTATOC or 131I-MIBG) would be more effective.


METHODS
Eight patients (four men, four women; mean age 61 years) with metastatic MTC were included. Treatments were performed with 3,330 MBq 90Y-DOTATOC at 6-week intervals, or 11.1 GBq 131I-MIBG with a minimum interval of 3 months.


RESULTS
The imaging procedure was positive in all eight patients: 111In-DTPA-octreotide imaging in five patients, 131I/123I-MIBG imaging in four patients. With respect to the number of metastatic lesions, MIBG imaging was less effective than octreotide. According to the results of combined imaging, we identified one patient to be treated with 90Y-DOTATOC, and three patients with 131I-MIBG. An overall antitumor effect was observed in all four patients, one with partial remission and three with stable disease. No relevant toxicity was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined imaging can increase the detection rate of metastatic foci in patients with MTC and identify more patients for effective radionuclide treatment. The treatment with 90Y-DOTATOC or 131I-MIBG is well tolerated and may improve the fate of patients with metastatic MTC.
Gao
Zairong
Z
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Biersack
Hans J
HJ
Ezziddin
Samer
S
Logvinski
Timur
T
An
Rui
R
D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D018579:Patient Selection; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000009:adverse effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
C497824:111In-octreotide, DTPA(0)-; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D015282:Octreotide