Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine treatment for metastic carcinoid: Results in 98 patients

Shawn D. Safford, R. Edward Coleman, Jon P. Gockerman, Joseph Moore, Jerome Feldman, Mark W. Onaitis, Douglas S. Tyler, John A. Olson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) is useful for imaging carcinoid tumors and recently has been applied to the palliative treatment of metastatic carcinoid in small studies. The authors now report their results on the therapeutic utility of high-dose 131I-MIBG treatment in a large group of patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors. METHODS. The authors performed a retrospective review of 98 patients with metastatic carcinoid who were treated at their institution with 131I-MIBG over a 15-year period. Endpoints examined included the World Health Organization criteria for treatment response: symptoms, hormone (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5-HIAA]) production, and clinical tumor response. RESULTS. Patients received a median dose of 401 ± 202 millicuries (mCi) 131I-MIBG. The median survival after treatment was 2.3 years. Patients who experienced a symptomatic response had improved survival (5.76 years vs. 2.09 years; P < 0.01). For the 56 patients who had 5-HIAA levels monitored, the mean urine 5-HIAA levels decreased significantly after 131I-MIBG treatment (126 ± 122 ng/mL vs. 91 ± 125 ng/mL; P < 0.01); however, the patients with reduced 5-HIAA levels did not experience improved survival (4.11 years vs. 3.42 years; P = 0.2). Patients who received an initial 131I-MIBG dose > 400 mCi lived longer than patients who received < 400 mCi (4.69 years vs. 1.86 years; P = 0.05). Radiographic tumor response did not predict survival. Toxicity included pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea, and emesis. CONCLUSIONS. The current data support 131I-MIBG treatment in select patients with metastatic carcinoid who progress despite optimal medical management. Improved survival was predicted best by symptomatic response to 131I-MIBG treatment, but not by hormone or radiographic response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1987-1993
Number of pages7
JournalCancer
Volume101
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2004

Keywords

  • Carcinoid
  • Endocrine tumor
  • Metaiodobenzylguanidine
  • Palliative treatment

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