What is NetSpot:
NETSPOT is a new FDA approved agent, gallium-68 dotatate, used as a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer instead of radiolabeled glucose to better diagnose and treat neuroendocrine tumors.
- NETs are difficult to find at early stages because they are usually very small and can develop anywhere in the body, such as the lungs, intestines, pancreas and stomach.
- NETs don’t rapidly consume the typical glucose tracer; therefore the standard PET scans are not as effective detecting these tumors.
How does is work?
NET cells are mainly comprised of receptors for the hormone somatostatin and unlike most other cancers, they don’t consume glucose, which normally identifies the tumor. Ga-68 dotatate mimicks the hormone that binds to somatostatin and highlights the tumor on PET imaging.
Benefits of NetSpot
- Superior imaging for earlier detection
- Less unnecessary surgery
- Improved prediction of clinical response to somatostatin receptor-mediated therapies.
- Lower effective dosage
- 2 hour vs. 24-48 hour protocol
- No bowel cleansing needed
What are the benefits for our patients?
Our providers will be better able to diagnose neuroendocrine tumors, determine the best treatment options, plan surgery, and monitor for recurrence.
Are there any specific patient guidelines?
Patients will need to discontinue short acting somatostatin analogue for 24 hours and long acting analogues for 3 weeks.