10May 2023 by Ronny Allan No Comments
Clinical Trial: Novel Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Antagonist Labelled With Terbium-161 (161Tb-DOTA-LM3) (Beta plus)

Clinical Trial: Novel Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Antagonist Labelled With Terbium-161 (161Tb-DOTA-LM3) (Beta plus)

Clinical Trials and Research, Treatment
A new clinical trial post.What is Terbium-161 (161Tb-DOTA-LM3) (Beta plus).Terbium-161 is a radioactive substance.  DOTA-LM3 is a novel somatostatin antagonist targeted using somatostatin receptor number 2 (SSTR2).  Combined they form a radioligand for use in Pepetide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT).  It's a beta emitter but labelled 'plus' on the basis it offers more than the currently approved Luthera product (lutetium 177 or 177Lu Dotaxxx series).  There is evidence that terbium-161 (161Tb) is more powerful than 177Lu, not only in combination with SST2 agonists but particularly with SST2 antagonists.Agonist vs Antagonist in the context of PRRTThe currently approved Luthera product (lutetium 177 or 177Lu Dotaxxx series) are SST2 agonists.  SST2 antagonists are more efficient because they can access more binding sites on the cell surface, resulting in higher tumour uptake and…
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02Nov 2016 by Ronny Allan 9 Comments
Neuroendocrine Cancer – Exciting Times Ahead!  

Neuroendocrine Cancer – Exciting Times Ahead!  

Inspiration, Survivorship, Treatment
In the last 12-24 months, there seems to have been announcement after announcement of new and/or upgraded/enhanced diagnostics and treatment types for Neuroendocrine Cancer.  Scans, radionuclide therapies, combination therapies, somatostatin analogues, biological therapies, etc.  Some of the announcements are just expansions of existing therapies having been approved in new (but significant) regions. Compared to some other cancers, even those which hit the headlines often, we appear to be doing not too badly.  However, the pressure needs to stay on, all patients need access to the best diagnostics and treatments for them; and at the requisite time.  There's even more in the pipeline and I'm hoping to continue to bring you news of new stuff as I have been doing for the last year. Some of these new diagnostics and treatments will benefit eligible patients who are…
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25Jul 2016 by Ronny Allan 21 Comments
Somatostatin Receptors

Somatostatin Receptors

Awareness, Treatment
Don't understand Somatostatin Receptors? Join the club! I got my head around the term 'Somatostatin' and 'Somatostatin Analogues' some time ago but the term 'Somatostatin Receptor' (SSTR) is still a bit of a mystery. SSTRs do come up in conversation quite often and I'm fed up of nodding sagely hoping it will eventually become clear! On analysis it looks like a technical subject - and therefore a challenge.I've taken a logical approach working from 'Somatostatin' to 'Somatostatin Analogue' before commencing on the 'receptor' bit. It is intentionally brief and (hopefully) simplistic!SomatostatinIt's important to understand this hormone and then why your 'butt dart' is generically called a 'Somatostatin Analogue'.Some Neuroendocrine Tumours secrete hormones and peptides that cause distinct clinical syndromes, including but not limited to, carcinoid syndrome.Somatostatin is a naturally occurring…
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07Sep 2015 by Ronny Allan 11 Comments

PRRT and the NHS England Cancer Drugs Fund (now archived information)

Treatment
[caption id="attachment_3922" align="aligncenter" width="425"] cost cutting vs life cutting?[/caption] Please note this post is now historic information - PRRT (Lutathera) was eventually approved for use in UK.  See the following post for the very latest on PRRT worldwide - CLICK HERE I was extremely disappointed to learn of the decision to remove PRRT (Lutetium or Yttrium) from the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF).  You can read the detail of the decision here: CDF Statement.  PRRT has regularly been described by NET specialists and patients as the "magic bullet" due to its potential to shrink or kill tumours.  This is the second Neuroendocrine Cancer treatment to be withdrawn this year, after the earlier decision on Everolimus (Afinitor) in April . In fact, the recent cuts to the CDF were described in the…
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