Induction therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE procures long-term survival in locally advanced or oligometastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm patients

Purpose: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE induces objective response in up to 57% of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs). Therefore, PRRT may comprise a downstaging option for panNEN patients who are not eligible for upfront curative surgery or are at high risk for recurrence. The aim of this study was to assess the potency of induction PRRT for locally advanced panNENs and to evaluate the effect of surgery after PRRT on overall survival (OS). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of panNEN patients treated with induction 177Lu-DOTATATE. Results: After PRRT, 26 out of 49 patients underwent pancreatic surgery with curative intent (PRRT + surgery). Partial objective response was obtained in 62% of the PRRT + surgery group versus 26% of the patients not undergoing panNEN surgery (PRRT-only group, p = 0.02). Downstaging in tumour-vessel interface was observed in 38% of all patients with at least one involved vessel. Median OS was 14.7 years (95% CI 5.9–23.6) for the PRRT + surgery group compared to 5.5 years (95% CI 4.5–6.5) for the PRRT-only group (p = 0.003). In the Cox proportional hazards analysis, surgery was not significantly associated with OS after propensity score adjustment with cumulative activity, performance status, tumour size after PRRT, and tumour grade. Median progression-free survival was 5.3 years (95% CI 2.4–8.1) for the PRRT + surgery group and 3.0 years (95% CI 1.6–4.4) for the PRRT-only group (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Early administration of PRRT followed by surgery is associated with favourable long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced or oligometastatic panNEN and can be considered for selected patients with vascular involvement and/or increased risk of recurrence.