A New Scan to Find Spread of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Trial details

Who runs it

Tingting Yuan

Trial code

NCT07733024

Record updated

28 September 2026

Original description

This study is testing a new PET/CT scan that uses a special tracer called [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DLL3 nanobody to see if it can better detect cancer spread (metastases) in people with neuroendocrine tumors than the standard scans currently used (FDG PET/CT or PSMA PET/CT). DLL3 is a protein found on the surface of many neuroendocrine tumor cells, and the new tracer is designed to stick to this protein, making tumors visible on the scan. The goal is to find out whether this new imaging method can give doctors more accurate information about where the cancer has spread and help them choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient.Read full original descriptionShow less

A Prospective, Multi-Center, Self-Controlled Phase IIa Clinical Trial Evaluating the Diagnostic Performance and Clinical Impact of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DLL3 Nanobody PET/CT Compared to [¹⁸F]FDG or [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA PET/CT in Patients With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

This study is testing a new PET/CT scan that uses a special tracer called [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DLL3 nanobody to see if it can better detect cancer spread (metastases) in people with neuroendocrine tumors than the standard scans currently used (FDG PET/CT or PSMA PET/CT). DLL3 is a protein found on the surface of many neuroendocrine tumor cells, and the new tracer is designed to stick to this protein, making tumors visible on the scan. The goal is to find out whether this new imaging method can give doctors more accurate information about where the cancer has spread and help them choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient.

The study is prospective, multi-center, and self-controlled, meaning each participant will receive both the new scan and the standard scan, allowing a direct side-by-side comparison in the same person. Depending on the type of neuroendocrine tumor, participants will be assigned to one of two groups: one group will be compared with FDG PET/CT and the other with PSMA PET/CT. The two scans will be performed within two weeks of each other, and all images will be read by independent experts who do not know the patient's clinical history, to ensure objective and unbiased results.

The investigators plan to enroll about 180-200 patients aged 18 or older who have confirmed neuroendocrine tumors with at least two metastatic sites. The total duration of participation is approximately 6 months, consisting of a screening period of up to 14 days, two imaging scans completed within 2 days, and a final follow-up visit at 6 months to evaluate participants' health and disease progression. Participation is entirely voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without affecting participants' standard medical care.

Inclusion: Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years at the time of signing the informed consent form, male or female; Histologically or cytologically confirmed neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), including but not limited to small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NENs), or other NEN subtypes; Patients with strong clinical and radiological suspicion of NENs based on imaging (CT/MRI/conventional PET/CT) and clinical presentation; At least 2 evaluable metastatic lesions (multiple metastases) confirmed by conventional imaging (CT/MRI/PET/CT); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2. Life expectancy > 3 months; Voluntarily agrees to participate and provides written informed consent; Females of childbearing potential and male participants agree to use reliable contraceptive methods for 6 months after the last study drug administration; Willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, diagnostic procedures, clinical laboratory tests, and other study procedures.

Exclusion: Received chemotherapy, biological therapy, endocrine therapy, molecular targeted therapy, or investigational drug therapy within 4 weeks prior to enrollment; Prior exposure to any DLL3-targeted therapeutic agent (e.g., Tarlatamab, bispecific T-cell engagers, or DLL3-targeted radioimmunotherapy) or DLL3-targeted radiotracer; Prior radionuclide therapy or diagnostic scan with an interval of less than 10 physical half-lives of the administered radionuclide prior to study tracer administration; History of any other malignancy within 5 years prior to screening, except for adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other malignancies with negligible risk of recurrence in the investigator's opinion; Known severe immediate-type hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction to DLL3-targeted tracers, nanobody proteins, chelators, buffer components, or excipients; Any other condition that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the patient unsuitable for study participation (e.g., severe psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, poor compliance); Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 30 mL/min/1.73m²; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 3 × upper limit of normal (ULN); Total bilirubin > 1.5 × ULN; Clinically significant abnormalities on physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), or clinical laboratory tests during screening that, in the investigator's opinion, may compromise safety or study compliance; Pregnant or breastfeeding women; Inability to tolerate or cooperate with PET/CT imaging procedures, including but not limited to: severe claustrophobia, inability to remain supine and still for at least 30 minutes, or inability to establish adequate intravenous access; Currently participating in another interventional clinical trial.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07733024