This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Frühwald, M. C. Articles by Müller, H. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Frühwald, M. C. Articles by Müller, H. L.

Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Is Expressed by Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors of Childhood and Can Be Targeted for Somatostatin Receptor Imaging

¹ Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; ² Institute of Neuropathology, University Clinics Muenster, Muenster, Germany; ³ Gerhard Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Clinics Muenster, Muenster, Germany; ⁴ Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; ⁵ Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; ⁶ Institute for Neuroradiology, University Hospitals Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; ⁷ University Children’s Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; ⁸ Clinics and Policlinics for Nuclear Medicine, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; and ⁹ Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Oldenburg gGmbH, Oldenburg, Germany

Purpose: Although gliomas predominate among central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms in adulthood, embryonal tumors are the most common malignant brain tumors in children. Despite novel treatment approaches, including improved radiotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy, survival rates remain unsatisfactory. The timely diagnosis of residual or recurrent embryonal CNS tumors and thus the earliest possible time point for intervention is often hampered by inaccuracies of conventional imaging techniques. Novel and refined imaging methodologies are urgently needed.

Experimental Design: We have previously demonstrated the use of somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) in the diagnosis of recurrent and residual medulloblastomas. Here, we evaluated somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst₂) expression using an antibody in an array of CNS tumors of childhood. Eight high-grade gliomas, 4 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, 7 supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (stPNET), 1 medulloepithelioma (ME), and 8 ependymomas were screened. Tumors positive in vitro were additionally analyzed in vivo using SRI.

Results: Abundant expression of somatostatin receptor type 2 in stPNET, a ME, and ependymomas warranted in vivo imaging of 7 stPNET, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, 3 ependymomas, 1 ME, and 1 glioblastoma. Although SRI was positive in 6/7 stPNET, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 ME, none of the ependymomas nor the glioblastoma could be imaged using SRI. In selected cases SRI was more sensitive in the detection of relapse than conventional imaging by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.

Conclusions: SRI should be considered in the evaluation of residual or recurrent embryonal CNS tumors, especially stPNET. The strengths of SRI lie in the differentiation of reactive tissue changes versus residual or recurrent tumor, the detection of small lesions, and possibly in the distinction of stPNET from gliomas.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Khanna, D. Bushnell, and M. S. O'Dorisio Utility of Radiolabeled Somatostatin Receptor Analogues for Staging/Restaging and Treatment of Somatostatin Receptor-Positive Pediatric Tumors Oncologist, April 1, 2008; 13(4): 382 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]