Research advances in ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-TATE for the treatment drugs of neuroendocrine neoplasms

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are originated from neuroendocrine cells, which can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly in the digestive system, such as the stomach, intestines and pancreas. In recent years, the potential of radiopharmaceuticals to be applied to the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors using the decay properties of nuclides has been fully exploited, and has become a new means to achieve precision medical treatment. Since most NET cells overexpress somatostain receptors (SSTR) on their surface, it provides an opportunity for radiopharmaceuticals to achieve specific targeting. ¹⁷⁷Lu-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid-D-Phe1-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-TATE), a peptide receptor-mediated radionuclide therapeutic drug, can bind specifically to SSTR on the membrane of tumour cells, thereby treating SSTR-positive gastroenteropancreatic NET. The authors reviewed the drug basic information, research and development process, mechanism of action, and clinical application progress of ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-TATE, to serve as a reference for the development of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy drug and the implementation of clinical combination treatment in the future.