Visualization of Tumor Heterogeneity in Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma by Dual-Tracer Molecular Imaging: Revealing the Theranostic Potential of SSTR- and PSMA-Directed Endoradiotherapy

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 Jul 1;47(7):651-652. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004082. Epub 2022 Jan 27.

Abstract

We present the case of a 60-year-old man with medullary thyroid carcinoma and hepatic, osseous, and lymph node metastases who underwent peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 177Lu-DOTATOC. After 2 cycles, 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT revealed multiple nonavid lesions. To assess whether the patient would be eligible for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy, a PSMA PET/CT was conducted. PSMA PET/CT identified increased PSMA expression in both 68Ga-DOTATOC-avid and nonavid lesions. As such, dual-radiotracer PET/CT may allow for insights into the complexities of tumor heterogeneity in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, which may pave the way for subsequent therapeutic algorithms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine
  • Edetic Acid
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligopeptides
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Precision Medicine
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / radiotherapy

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Oligopeptides
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Edetic Acid

Supplementary concepts

  • Thyroid cancer, medullary