Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy in Bangalore for Neuroendocrine Tumours
Kiran Nuclear Medicine and PET CT Centre offers Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy in Bangalore, a targeted PRRT treatment for neuroendocrine tumours. Our theranostics in Bangalore pathway combines Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT imaging with Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy, so your treatment is planned around what your own scans show.
- Integrated theranostics care: Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT imaging and Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy planned by one specialist team
- Dedicated nuclear medicine and PET-CT facilities
- Clean, comfortable private isolation rooms, sanitised regularly
- Led by nuclear medicine specialists trained at PGIMER and JIPMER
What is Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy?
Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy, also known as Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), is a targeted treatment for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy delivers radiation to tumour cells while aiming to limit radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
NETs develop from hormone-producing cells, most often in the stomach, intestines and pancreas, but also in the lungs and other organs. As many NETs are diagnosed only after they have spread, Lu-177 DOTATATE offers patients an established targeted treatment option.
Who Is Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy Suitable For?
Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy may be recommended for patients with:
- Advanced or inoperable NETs: when surgery is not possible or the tumour has spread to the liver, bones or other organs
- Progressive NETs: tumours that have grown or returned after surgery or other treatments
- Somatostatin receptor-positive tumours: confirmed on a Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan
- Adequate kidney function and blood counts: checked through blood tests before therapy
Our specialists review your scans and reports to decide whether PRRT is the right neuroendocrine tumour treatment for you.
Types of Neuroendocrine Tumours Treated with Lu-177 DOTATATE
PRRT with Lu-177 DOTATATE is used to treat somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumours, including:
- Gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs): tumours of the stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum and pancreas
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs)
- Lung and bronchial carcinoid tumours
- Metastatic NETs: tumours that have spread to the liver, bones or lymph nodes
- Other receptor-positive tumours: such as selected cases of paraganglioma and phaeochromocytoma, as decided by the specialist
Each case is assessed individually to plan the most suitable neuroendocrine tumour treatment in Bangalore.
How Does Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy Work?
- DOTATATE targeting: DOTATATE binds specifically to somatostatin receptors, which are present in large numbers on most neuroendocrine tumour cells.
- Lu-177 attachment: Lutetium-177, a radioactive isotope that emits short-range beta radiation, is attached to DOTATATE to form Lu-177 DOTATATE.
- Targeted radiation delivery: The medicine is given through an intravenous drip and travels through the bloodstream to bind with tumour cells throughout the body.
- Targeted cell damage: The beta radiation travels only a few millimetres, damaging tumour cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This targeted approach is why Lu-177 DOTATATE is an established PRRT treatment.
Advanced PET-CT for PRRT Planning: GE Discovery IQ Gen 2
Accurate imaging is essential for planning Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy. Kiran PET CT uses the GE Discovery IQ Gen 2, a PET-CT system that delivers detailed images with efficient scan times.
For patients considering PRRT, this supports:
- Clear Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT images to confirm somatostatin receptor uptake
- Accurate staging of neuroendocrine tumours before treatment
- Reliable comparison scans to assess response
Theranostics in Bangalore: Diagnosis and Treatment Together
Theranostics combines diagnostic imaging and therapy using the same targeting molecule. As part of our theranostics in Bangalore pathway, a Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan first confirms whether your tumours are likely to take up the treatment. Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy is then planned accordingly, with follow-up imaging used to assess your response.
How to Prepare for Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy
Good preparation helps your PRRT go smoothly:
- Bring all previous scan reports, biopsy results and treatment records
- Complete your Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan and blood tests as advised
- Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, especially somatostatin analogue injections, as their timing may need adjusting
- Arrange for someone to accompany you on discharge
Pregnancy and contraception: Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy can harm an unborn baby. Tell the team before treatment if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are breastfeeding. People who could become pregnant should discuss effective contraception during treatment and for seven months after the final dose. Male patients should also ask the team about contraception advice.
Our team provides a personalised preparation checklist before your treatment.
What to Expect During PRRT
Before therapy: a consultation, Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan and blood tests to check kidney function and blood counts.
On the day of therapy: you are admitted to a private isolation room. An amino acid infusion is given before, during and after the Lu-177 DOTATATE infusion to help protect your kidneys, and anti-nausea medicine is provided.
Isolation stay: most patients stay one to two days, until radiation levels meet the criteria for safe discharge.
After discharge: follow the personalised radiation safety instructions provided by the team. These may include limiting prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for a short period.
Number of cycles: a full course of Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy usually involves up to four cycles, typically given around eight weeks apart. Your doctor may adjust the interval based on your blood test results and response.
Is Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy Safe?
Lu-177 DOTATATE is an established, well-studied neuroendocrine tumour treatment and is generally well tolerated. Possible side effects include:
- Nausea on the day of treatment, mostly linked to the amino acid infusion
- Tiredness for a few days
- A temporary drop in blood counts
- Rarely, effects on kidney function or the bone marrow
Pregnancy and contraception: Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy can harm an unborn baby. People who could become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for seven months after the final dose. Male patients should also ask the team about contraception advice.
Regular blood tests between cycles allow our team to monitor you closely throughout PRRT.
Benefits of Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy
- Targeted treatment: Lu-177 DOTATATE seeks out receptor-positive tumour cells throughout the body, including those that have spread
- Limited exposure to healthy tissue: short-range beta radiation concentrates the dose on tumour cells
- Delays disease progression: in clinical studies of suitable patients, Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy has been shown to delay disease progression compared with standard treatment. Individual outcomes vary.
- Symptom relief: can ease flushing, diarrhoea and other hormone-related symptoms
- Quality of life: many patients continue their daily routine between cycles
- Personalised through theranostics: treatment is guided by your own Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT results
Follow-up Care After PRRT
Care continues after each cycle of Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy:
- Regular blood tests to monitor blood counts and kidney function
- A post-therapy scan may be performed to check uptake of the treatment in the tumours
- Response assessment with Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT, timed as advised by your specialist
- Ongoing review by our nuclear medicine specialists, coordinated with your oncologist
Why Choose Kiran PET CT for Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy in Bangalore?
Discover the future of healthcare at Kiran Nuclear Medicine and PET CT Center. Our pioneering theranostics approach not only diagnoses but also tailors treatment plans specific to your needs, ensuring precise and effective care. Experience the power of personalized medicine with us.
Integrated theranostics
We provide an integrated theranostics pathway, combining advanced molecular imaging with targeted PRRT, so one specialist team manages your diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Precision planning
Every Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy plan is guided by detailed Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT imaging.
Personalised medicine
Your neuroendocrine tumour treatment is tailored to your medical history, preferences and treatment goals.
Private isolation rooms
Clean, comfortable and regularly sanitised rooms for a calm stay during treatment.
Meet Our Doctors
Frequently Asked Questions About Lu-177 DOTATATE Therapy
Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy is a targeted PRRT treatment for neuroendocrine tumours. A radioactive isotope (Lutetium-177) is attached to DOTATATE, which binds to somatostatin receptors on tumour cells and delivers radiation to them.
Given through a drip, Lu-177 DOTATATE travels through the bloodstream and binds to tumour cells. The Lutetium-177 releases short-range beta radiation that damages targeted tumour cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.
Patients with advanced, inoperable or progressive NETs that show receptor uptake on a Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan, with adequate kidney function and blood counts, may be suitable.
It is generally well tolerated. Common side effects are mild nausea and tiredness, and your blood counts and kidney function are monitored between cycles. It is not suitable during pregnancy, and effective contraception is advised during treatment and for a period afterwards.
PRRT involves admission to a private isolation room, an amino acid infusion to protect the kidneys, the Lu-177 DOTATATE infusion and a stay of usually one to two days. Most patients need up to four cycles, typically around eight weeks apart.
In clinical studies of suitable patients, Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy has been shown to delay disease progression, shrink tumours in some patients and relieve symptoms such as flushing and diarrhoea. Individual outcomes vary, and your doctor will discuss realistic goals with you.
It is mainly used to control advanced NETs, slow their growth and relieve symptoms. Complete cure is uncommon in advanced disease, but many patients achieve long-term disease control.
The cost varies based on the number of cycles, imaging and length of stay. Contact Kiran PET CT for a personalised estimate after your reports are reviewed.
Coverage depends on your policy. Our team can guide you on the documentation usually required for insurance approval.
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days of discharge. Follow the radiation safety instructions given by the team, particularly around close contact with others.
Kiran Nuclear Medicine and PET CT Centre offers Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy in Bangalore, along with Ga-68 DOTATATE PET-CT imaging, at our Banashankari and Indira Nagar centres.
Theranostics and PRRT Centre in Bangalore
Visit Kiran Nuclear Medicine and PET CT Centre for advanced PET-CT imaging, theranostics in Bangalore and Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy for neuroendocrine tumours.
2227, 9th Main Road, Karesandra, Banashankari Stage II, Banashankari, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560070