Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate
Also known as: NETSPOT, 68Ga-DOTATATE, Ga-68 dotatate
A radioactive somatostatin-analog peptide used for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors, FDA-approved in 2016 as NETSPOT. Diagnostic prescription drug.
Last updated
Mechanism of Action
Gallium Ga 68 dotatate is the somatostatin analog peptide Tyr3-octreotate attached to the chelator DOTA, which carries the positron-emitting isotope gallium-68. After injection it binds somatostatin receptors, mainly subtype 2, on neuroendocrine tumor cells. The positrons it emits are detected by PET scanning, which maps where receptor-positive tumors are and how much receptor they express.
- Half-life
- ~68 minutes (physical half-life of gallium-68)
- Administration Routes
- Intravenous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- FDA-approved PET imaging to localize somatostatin receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumors in adults and children
- Higher detection rates than older indium-111 octreotide scans in systematic reviews
- Used to select patients for lutetium-177 dotatate therapy
Potential Side Effects
- Adverse reactions are uncommon
- Radiation exposure (contributes to long-term cancer risk)
- Possible false positives from other receptor-expressing tissue or inflammation
Common Dosing
Prepared from a kit with generator-produced gallium-68 and given as a single intravenous injection in a nuclear medicine department, dosed by body weight in MBq/mCi, followed by PET imaging. Timing is usually coordinated with long-acting somatostatin analog injections, which can compete for the receptor. Dosing is set and supervised by the prescribing clinician.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- No absolute contraindications on the US label
- Pregnancy: weigh radiation risk to the fetus
- Breastfeeding: temporary interruption may be advised
No documented stacking partners for Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate yet.
- View
Safety and Efficacy of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT for Diagnosis, Staging, and Treatment Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors
2016
- View
68Ga-DOTATATE Compared with 111In-DTPA-Octreotide and Conventional Imaging for Pulmonary and Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2016