Routine Use of [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT in a Neuroendocrine Tumor Center: Referral Patterns and Image Results of 2,249 Consecutive Scans

The role of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) PET/CT, using 68Ga-based tracers or [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE (64Cu-DOTATATE), in the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) is guided by appropriate use criteria (AUC). In this study, we performed systematic analyses of referral patterns and image findings of routine 64Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans to support AUC development. Methods: We included all clinical routine 64Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans performed between April 10, 2018 (start of clinical use), and May 2, 2022, at Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet. We reviewed the referral text and image report of each scan and classified the indication according to clinical scenarios as listed in the AUC. Results: In total, 1,290 patients underwent 2,249 64Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans. Monitoring of patients with NEN seen both on conventional imaging and on SSTR PET without clinical evidence of progression was the most common indication (defined as "may be appropriate" in the AUC) and accounted for 703 (31.3%) scans. Initial staging after NEN diagnosis ("appropriate" in the AUC) and restaging after curative-intent surgery ("may be appropriate" in the AUC) accounted for 221 (9.8%) and 241 (10.7%) scans, respectively. Selection of patients eligible for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy ("appropriate" in the AUC) and restaging after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy completion ("appropriate" in the AUC) accounted for 95 (4.2%) and 115 (5.1%) scans, respectively. The number of scans performed for indications not defined in the AUC was 371 (16.5%). Image result analysis revealed no disease in 669 scans (29.7%), stable disease in 582 (25.9%), and progression in 461 (20.5%). In 99 of the 461 (21.5%) scans, progression was detected on PET but not on CT. Conclusion: Our study provided real-life data that may contribute to support development of 64Cu-DOTATATE/SSTR PET/CT guidelines including AUC. Some scenarios listed as "may be appropriate" in the current AUC were frequent in our data. Monitoring of patients with NEN without clinical evidence of progression was the most frequent indication for 64Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT, in which disease progression was detected in more than one third, and a large proportion was visible by PET only. We therefore conclude that this scenario could potentially be classified as appropriate.