Evaluation of astatine-211-labeled octreotide as a potential radiotherapeutic agent for NSCLC treatment.

Octreotide is a somatostatin (SST) analogue currently used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with high binding affinity for the somatostatin receptor-2 (SSTR2) that is also overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC). Alpha-particle-emitting astatine-211 (At) is a promising radionuclide with appropriate physical and chemical properties for use in targeted anticancer therapies. To obtain an additional pharmacological agent for the treatment of NSCLC, we present the first investigation of the possible use of At-labeled octreotide as a potential alpha-radionuclide therapeutic agent for NSCLC treatment. At-SPC-octreotide exhibited observable higher uptake in lung, spleen, stomach and intestines than in other tissues. Through histological examination, At-SPC-octreotide demonstrated much more lethal effect than control groups (PBS, octreotide and free At). These promising preclinical results suggested that At labeled octreotide deserved to be further developed as a new anticancer agent for NSCLC.