TY - JOUR T1 - A Peptide Meets a Radionuclide to Combat a Rare Tumor JF - Ochsner Journal JO - Ochsner J SP - 306 LP - 311 DO - 10.31486/toj.20.0098 VL - 21 IS - 3 AU - Katharine E. Thomas AU - J. Philip Boudreaux AU - Ramcharan Thiagarajan AU - Andrew Marsala AU - Brianne A. Voros AU - Robert A. Ramirez Y1 - 2021/09/21 UR - http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/21/3/306.abstract N2 - Background: Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare malignancies with limited treatment options beyond surgery. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a process by which a somatostatin analog (octreotate) is combined with a chelator (DOTA) and a radionuclide (lutetium-177 [177Lu-dotatate]). This therapy targets receptors on neuroendocrine cells, causing internalization of the radionuclide by the tumor cell, which results in cellular damage and apoptosis.Case Report: We describe the clinical and therapeutic course of a 69-year-old male with a metastatic rectal NEC in whom progressive disease was noted after multiple therapies were attempted. After PRRT with 177Lu-dotatate, the patient was asymptomatic and demonstrated a near-complete radiologic response.Conclusion: This case illustrates that treatment with PRRT may improve the outcome of patients with metastatic rectal NEC. Our case highlights the importance of further research into the use of PRRT in patients with a Ki-67 <55% and uptake on somatostatin receptor imaging. ER -