LUTATHERA (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) is a type of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). It is used to treat neuroendocrine tumors. LUTATHERA can help slow tumor growth or stop them from growing. It can also be used to help manage symptoms caused by the tumors.
LUTATHERA treats adults with a type of cancer known as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) with somatostatin hormone receptors.
What is a neuroendocrine tumor?
Neuroendocrine tumors begin in the cells of the body’s neuroendocrine system. These specialized cells are similar to nerve cells and can produce hormones like endocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells receive messages from the nervous system and respond by making and releasing hormones. When the DNA of healthy neuroendocrine cells becomes damaged, the cells can change and begin to grow out of control, which can cause a neuroendocrine tumor to develop. Neuroendocrine tumors can occur anywhere in the body, but they are most often found in the small intestine, pancreas, and rectum.
How do treatments work?
LUTATHERA is a targeted radioactive therapy with two parts. The tumor-targeted part of the treatment helps the medication fight the tumor cells but not your normal cells. Only targeting the tumor’s cells helps minimize damage to other healthy cells in your body. The radioactive part of the treatment uses radiation to damage and kill the tumor cells.
How are treatments given?
LUTATHERA is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. LUTATHERA is put into the bloodstream through a vein over a period of time. Patients receive four separate infusions that are eight weeks apart. After the first infusion, blood tests will monitor a patient’s blood cell counts and will continue monthly for 38 weeks.
How can I learn more about LUTATHERA?
Your healthcare team at Arizona Blood and Cancer Specialists can help you understand more about the treatments, learn about safety information and precautions you should take before or during your treatment, and advise you about possible side effects you may experience.
