Dr. Strosberg on Quality of Life for Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors

Jonathan Strosberg, MD, medical oncologist, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, section head, Neuroendocrine Division, chair, Gastrointestinal Department Research Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses quality of life in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Patients who were enrolled in the phase III NETTER-1 trial were provided with EORTC C30 and GINET21 questionnaires to assess quality of life for both the 177Lu-Dotatate (Lutathera) arm and the high-dose octreotide (Sandostatin) arm. This preliminary analysis focused on global health quality of life, which is an important quality-of-life endpoint in any cancer, explains Strosberg.

NET-specific symptoms, such as diarrhea, flushing, and pain were also looked at. More patients on the Lutathera arm of the study had improvements in their quality of life compared with high-dose octreotide. Overall, it seems as if the quality of life has improved with Lutathera, says Strosberg.