
Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
This trial is for people with a neuroendocrine tumour (NET) that started in the pancreas or the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract includes the:
It is for people who have a NET that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or that cannot be removed with surgery.
Everyone taking part has certain proteins on the surface of their cancer cells called somatostatin receptors.
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare cancers that start in neuroendocrine cells. They often develop slowly over some years. Neuroendocrine cells are part of our neuroendocrine system. They make hormones that control how our bodies work.
Surgery is the main treatment for NETs. This is often the only treatment you need. But sometimes NETs can spread to other parts of the body, or your doctor may not be able to completely remove the cancer during surgery. You have other treatments such as targeted drugs if this happens.
Everolimus (Afinitor) is a type of targeted drug called a cancer growth blocker. It stops a protein called mTOR from working properly. Everolimus is already a possible treatment for people with advanced NETs. It can stop the cancer from growing for some time.
In this trial, doctors are looking at a type of internal radiotherapy called peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). PRRT uses a radioactive substance (radiopharmaceutical) called 177 Lu-Edotreotide. Some neuroendocrine cells have proteins on the outside of them called somatostatin receptors. The hormone somatostatin attaches to this receptor and slows down the production of hormones by the cell.
By attaching the radioactive substance (Lu) to a man made form of the hormone somatostatin (the somatostatin analogue Edotreotide), the radiopharmaceutical can be given directly inside the neuroendocrine tumour cell. In this way, the cancer cell can be destroyed.
Everyone taking part in this trial has 1 of the following:
The main aim of this trial is to find out whether PRRT helps people with NETs that have spread to other parts of the body and cannot be removed with surgery.
The following bullet points list the entry conditions for this trial. Talk to your doctor or the trial team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this trial if all of the following apply:
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this trial if any of these apply.
Cancer related
Medical conditions
You:
This is an international phase 3 trial. Researchers need around 300 people to take part.
It is a randomised trial. Everyone taking part is put into 1 of the following treatment groups by a computer:
Neither you nor your doctor will be able to decide which group you are in. And you are 2 times more likely to have PRRT than everolimus.
PRRT with 177 Lu-edotreotide
You have PRRT as a drip into your bloodstream. It takes up to 20 minutes to have it. You also have a drip with proteins called amino acids to protect the kidneys. It takes 4 to 6 hours to have the amino acids drip.
You have PRRT and the amino acids once every 3 months. This continues for 9 months (up to 4 doses of treatment).
Your doctor and nurse explain how long you need to stay in hospital and the precautions you need to take.
Everolimus
You have everolimus as a tablet that you swallow whole every day. This continues for as long as it is helping you and the side effects aren’t too bad. It can be for up to 2 and a half years.
Doctors will ask you to keep a diary to record each time you take everolimus. This helps your doctor know how many doses of treatment you have had.
Tissue sample
The trial team will ask to use a sample of your cancer taken at the time of your diagnosis. You need to have a biopsy if there isn’t a suitable sample available.
Doctors want to look at the cancer and the proteins (receptors) on the outside of cancer cells.
Quality of life
You complete a quality of life questionnaire before the start of treatment and at set times during the trial.
The questionnaires ask about how you have been feeling and what side effects you have had.
You see a doctor and have some tests before taking part. The tests might include:
During treatment, you see the trial team for blood tests and physical examinations. You also have CT scans or MRI scans.
When you finish treatment, you see the trial team every 6 months, for 5 years.
The trial team monitor you during treatment and afterwards. You have a phone number to call them if you are worried about anything. The team will tell you about the possible side effects before you start the trial.
The most common side effects of PRRT with 177 Lu-edotreotide are:
PRRT has a small amount of radiation. As a precaution, you should avoid close contact with young children and pregnant women for the first 2 weeks after treatment. Close contact means being within arm’s length.
Your doctor or nurse tells you about all the precautions you need to take before you go home.
The most common side effects of everolimus are:
We have more information about the potential side effects of everolimus and PRRT.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Prof Dr Shaunak Navalkissoor
ITM Solucin
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK take part in a clinical trial.