Ga-68 DOTATATE, gallium Ga 68 dotatate, NETSPOT, 68Ga-DOTATATE
Regulatory status
FDA (US): Approved (2016, NETSPOT) for PET localization of somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumors in adults and children.
EMA (EU): Not approved as dotatate; in the EU the authorized equivalent is gallium (68Ga) edotreotide (SomaKit TOC, 2016), a very similar analog.
Dose
Single IV dose of 2 MBq/kg (maximum 200 MBq) before the PET scan (FDA label 2016).
Safety
Very well tolerated; low radiation exposure. Long-acting somatostatin analogs that the patient is taking can interfere with the test. During breastfeeding, it is recommended to interrupt it for a few hours.
Interactions
Somatostatin analogs (octreotide, lanreotide) compete for the same receptor; it is recommended to do the PET scan right before the next long-acting dose.
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Detection of neuroendocrine tumors
improvesHighmeta-analysis (AAA)in people
≈91% sensitivity
Systematic review of 42 studies. Compared with conventional imaging, 68Ga-dotatate PET had a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 90.6%, and was more sensitive than octreotide scintigraphy. Adverse effects were rare (6 of 974 people).
The peptide binds to somatostatin type 2 receptors, which are abundant in many neuroendocrine tumors. Gallium-68 emits a signal that the PET camera detects, so the tumor 'lights up'. It is an imaging test, not a treatment.
What the evidence says
In people
Detection of neuroendocrine tumors. Systematic review of 42 studies. Compared with conventional imaging, PET with 68Ga-dotatate had a sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 90.6%, and was more sensitive than octreotide scintigraphy. Adverse effects were rare (6 of 974 people). PubMed 26769864