The Journal of Nuclear Medicine has published the NANETS/SNMMI Consensus Statement on Patient Selection and Appropriate Use of 177Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radio-nuclide Therapy.

The consensus statement is the result of a collaborative effort between the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). This is the second publication as part of that collaboration, and it advances the commitment of both societies to improve NET disease management through increased research and educational opportunities, increase the competencies of nuclear medicine practitioners and promote new advances in the science of nuclear medicine.

Thomas A. Hope, MD, lead author of the statement, is Director of Molecular Therapy for the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Clinical Section in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. He also serves as co-chair of the Cancer Center’s new Molecular Imaging & Radionuclide Therapy Site Committee.
"The guidelines are the product of a truly collaborative discussion, bringing together an even balance of nuclear and medical oncologists to educate communities about the proper way to administer PRRT."

Jonathan R. Strosberg, MD, senior author of the guidelines, is a professor at Moffitt Cancer Center and head of the neuroendocrine tumor division.

"The first guidelines focused on HOW to perform PRRT, while this most recent publication dealt with WHO to treat: identifying where treatment is indicated and where it is contraindicated."
While PRRT is still a relatively new treatment in North America, it is being rolled out in many institutions.

"There are a lot of questions about the appropriate standard of care, and this is not a simple treatment to administer. The guidelines answer questions about how to set up a program and who are the most appropriate patients to receive treatment. There is also an 'appropriateness' scale and a discussion of where treatment is contraindicated."
Other contributing authors of the guidelines are: Lisa Bodei, MD, PhD; Jennifer A. Chan, MD, MPH; Ghassan El-Haddad, MD; Nicholas Fidelman, MD; Pamela L. Kunz, MD; Josh Mailman; Yusuf Menda, MD; David C. Metz, MD; Erik S. Mittra, MD, PhD; Daniel A. Pryma, MD; Diane L. Reidy-Lagunes, MD; and Simron Singh, MD, MPH, FRCPC.

Pancreas Journal of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Pancreatic Diseases and Sciences has published the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Consensus Paper on the Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in its January 2020 issue

In Spring 2018, members of the NET surgical medical community convened a multidisciplinary panel to review a series of questions pertinent to surgeons caring for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. These guidelines are the result of careful review of the available literature and comprehensive recommendations by the panel over a period of 18 months.

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The goal of NANETS’ membership survey was to collect input on new programs and initiatives in three key areas: web-based learning, committee and volunteer interests, and a mentee/mentor program. The survey was distributed to all members and non-member Symposium attendees, with 61 respondents completing the entire survey.

Web-Based Learning:
Asked about web-based learning, 62 percent of respondents said they would be likely to attend a 60-minute webinar. When asked to list their top three topic preferences, PRRT was mentioned the most (18 mentions), followed by treatment and management of NETs (16 mentions) and clinical trials/latest research (10 mentions). Specific recommendations in these topic areas included:

• PRRT: Sequencing and dosimetry; tailored PRRT; patient follow up; novel developments; emerging radionuclides and therapeutics
• Treatment and Management of NETs: Standards of care; treatment options; sequencing; G3 NETS; new developments/emerging treatments
• Clinical Trials/Latest Research: New targeted therapies; clinical trial opportunities in NETs; current, ongoing and recently completed clinical trials; updates on current research with application to clinic

Committee and Volunteer Interests: 
To broaden and diversify engagement of members on committees and task forces, a two-part question was posed. The first question asked respondents to check all areas in which they are interested in becoming involved or learning more about. Out of the 13 areas of interest, Scientific Review & Research received the most interest (70% of respondents); NET Symposium Planning was next with 56% of respondents indicating interest; and Consensus Guidelines received interest from 48% of respondents. The chart below displays these results, which are consistent with the society’s mission to further NET education and research.

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