Implantation of Ga68-octreotate PET/CT in somatostatin receptor imaging
Summary
The CHU de Québec-Université Laval innovates in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours by introducing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging coupled with 68Ga-octreotate, which supply at the CHU de Québec is essential since it is the only center in Quebec and Eastern Canada to offer 177Lu-octreotate radionuclide therapy (called PRRT) for patients with neuroendocrine tumours. The combination 68Ga-octreotate and 177Lu-octreotate is called “theranostic” since it is exactly the same molecule, octreotate which is sometimes labeled with a diagnostic PET isotope (68Ga), sometimes with a therapeutic isotope (177Lu). This allows direct visualization of the therapeutic target, i.e. the somatostatin receptor, before proposing such treatment, thus maximizing the chances of therapeutic response. This state-of-the-art examination greatly improves diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional imaging, while generating savings for the organization. In terms of outreach, this will strengthen the leading position of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval as a Canadian and North American center of excellence in neuroendocrine tumours.