A trial looking at Lutathera for carcinoid tumours of the small bowel (NETTER)

This trial is looking at Lutathera to treat carcinoid tumours of the small bowel.

Carcinoid tumours are rare and mostly slow growing tumours. They are a type of tumour of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system is made up of nerve and gland cells that make hormones and release them into the bloodstream. There are neuroendocrine cells in the gut, lungs and pancreas. One of the most common places for carcinoid tumours to develop is the small bowel.

Doctors can treat carcinoid tumours of the small bowel with surgery. If you can’t have your tumour completely removed with surgery, doctors may use a drug called octreotide. Octreotide is type of drug called a somatostatin analogue. It works by stopping the cells in the gut producing too many hormones and changing the way the body reacts to hormones. It can control the growth of carcinoid tumours and their symptoms.

Lutathera is a targeted radiotherapy treatment. It is also called peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Lutathera is a somatostatin analogue with a radioactive part attached. It works by delivering the radioactive part directly to the carcinoid cells. The radioactive part then kills the cells.

We know from research that Lutathera may help people with carcinoid tumours of the gut and pancreas. The researchers think it may help people with carcinoid tumours of the small bowel.

The aim of this trial is to compare Lutathera with octreotide to find out which treatment is best for people with carcinoid tumours of the small bowel. They also want to find out more about the safety and side effects of Lutathera.