Therapeutic
areas
New options for invasive indications
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) originate from neuroendocrine cells, which have traits of both endocrine cells (hormone-producing) and cells of the nervous system. Because neuroendocrine cells occur throughout the body, NETs vary widely in form and behavior and can arise in any organ, which makes them very difficult to diagnose.
Detection and treatment planning usually begin with anatomical imaging like a CT or MRI, a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and functional imaging (PET) to stage and localize the tumor(s).
Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) imaging plays an important role in staging, localizing, and managing Neuroendocrine Tumors:
For patients with NETs, SSTR-PET imaging has led to increased diagnosis and earlier detection which has altered management strategies and given patients the chance for earlier diagnosis.
Current NCCN, SNMMI and NANETS appropriate use guidelines endorse SSTR-PET with Ga 68 DOTATOC in detection and staging of NETs.
Footnote Source: Raphael MI, et al. CMAJ. 2017; 189: E398-404 & Refardt J, et al. Current Oncology Reports. 2021; 23: 143.
Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in adults. GBM tumors start in glial cells (non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system) called astrocytes.
Treatments for GBM include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy focus on shrinking the tumor and reducing symptoms. Prognosis remains poor even if the tumor is removed and radiation or chemotherapy is employed. Better treatment options are urgently needed.
More than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with GBM each year. Symptoms such as headache and seizures, tend to come on quickly due to the aggressively growing tumor placing pressure on the brain.
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Treatments for GBM include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy focus on shrinking the tumor and reducing symptoms. Prognosis remains poor even if the tumor is removed and radiation or chemotherapy is employed. Better treatment options are urgently needed.
More than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with GBM each year. Symptoms such as headache and seizures, tend to come on quickly due to the aggressively growing tumor placing pressure on the brain.
Footnote Source: clevelandclinic.org
Small Cell Lung
Cancer
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing cancer of the lung tissue which represents aproximetely 15% of all lung cancer diagnoses.
This aggressive form of lung cancer commonly starts in the breathing tubes and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading throughout the body. Symptoms of SCLC include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort.
Treatments for SCLC include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. Patients in extensive disease stage disease have only poor prognoses and require improved options for better treatment of this disease.
This aggressive form of lung cancer commonly starts in the breathing tubes and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading throughout the body. Symptoms of SCLC include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort.
Treatments for SCLC include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. Patients in extensive disease stage disease have only poor prognoses and require improved options for better treatment of this disease.
Footnote source: cancer.gov
Pancreatic Cancer
More than 66,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year. Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) develops from exocrine cells in the pancreas and represents more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. PDAC is a highly aggressive malignancy usually found at an advanced stage.
Pancreatic cancer may not cause any symptoms, making it hard to detect at early stage. When present, symptoms include jaundice, pain, and weight loss and may resemble other diseases.
Standard treatment for pancreatic cancer usually consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or their combination depending on the cancer’s stage.
Due to the location of the organ, and because the disease has often spread in the body by the time it is diagnosed, pancreatic cancer can be hard to treat surgically.
Footnote source: cancer.gov & hopkinsmedicine.org
Lobular Breast
Cancer
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), known as lobular breast cancer, is the sixth most frequently diagnosed cancer of women in the US with nearly 44,000 new patients diagnosed each year.
ILC develops in the lobules, the glands producing breast milk and represents approximately 10% of all cases of advanced breast cancers. While ILC spreads to surrounding normal tissue, it can also spread through the blood and lymph systems to other parts of the body. In most cases ILC is detected at late stage because it grows in threadlike patterns which may be hard to feel.
Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or immunotherapy and depends on the cancer’s size, grade, genetic factors, lymph node involvement, and the patient’s health.
ILC develops in the lobules, the glands producing breast milk and represents approximately 10% of all cases of advanced breast cancers. While ILC spreads to surrounding normal tissue, it can also spread through the blood and lymph systems to other parts of the body. In most cases ILC is detected at late stage because it grows in threadlike patterns which may be hard to feel.
Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or immunotherapy and depends on the cancer’s size, grade, genetic factors, lymph node involvement, and the patient’s health.
Footnote source: cancer.gov, lobularbreastcancer.org & breastcancer.org