Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy Targeting the Somatostatin Receptor: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Optimization Strategies

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) consists of the administration of a tumor-targeting radiopharmaceutical into the circulation of a patient. The radiopharmaceutical will bind to a specific peptide receptor leading to tumor-specific binding and retention. The only target that is currently used in clinical practice is the somatostatin receptor (SSTR), which is overexpressed on a range of tumor cells, including neuroendocrine tumors and neural-crest derived tumors. Academia played an important role in the development of PRRT, which has led to heterogeneous literature over the last two decades, as no standard radiopharmaceutical or regimen has been available for a long time. This review provides a summary of the treatment efficacy (e.g., response rates and symptom-relief), impact on patient outcome and toxicity profile of PRRT performed with different generations of SSTR-targeting radiopharmaceuticals, including the landmark randomized-controlled trial NETTER-1. In addition, multiple optimization strategies for PRRT are discussed, i.e., the dose–effect concept, dosimetry, combination therapies (i.e., tandem/duo PRRT, chemoPRRT, targeted molecular therapy, somatostatin analogues and radiosensitizers), new radiopharmaceuticals (i.e., SSTR-antagonists, Evans-blue containing vector molecules and alpha-emitters), administration route (intra-arterial versus intravenous) and response prediction via molecular testing or imaging. The evolution and continuous refinement of PRRT resulted in many lessons for the future development of radionuclide therapy aimed at other targets and tumor types.