Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy as a tool for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with primary inoperable insulinoma

Objectives Severe hypoglycemia in a course of inoperable insulinoma may be life-threating and often it is not well controlled, even by high doses of diazoxide requiring second line treatment. Among available methods PRRT is characterized by relatively low toxicity and is connected with favorable antitumor effect. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the PRRT effectiveness in control of hypoglycemia in patients with primary inoperable insulinoma. Methods Three patients (female with metastatic insulinoma, male with primary inoperable pancreatic tumor, female with MEN1 syndrome and hepatic metastases) were treated with PRRT due to severe hypoglycemia poorly controlled by diazoxide in course of primary inoperable insulinoma. Results Patient 1 baseline fasting glucose concentration increased from 2.4 mmol/L [3.30–5.60] to 5.9 mmol/L after PRRT. In patient 2 fasting glucose level 2.30 mmol/L increased after PRRT to 7.0 mmol/L, while baseline insulin level initially 31.15 uU/mL [2.6–24.9] decreased to 15.4 uU/mL. In patients 3, baseline fasting glucose level 2.5 mmol/L increased after PRRT to 7.9 mmol/L, and insulin decreased from 57.9 uU/mL to 6.3 uU/mL. In imaging there was partial response (PR) in patient 1 and 2 and stabilization of the tumor size in patient 3. In patient 2 reduction of tumor infiltration let for curative surgery performed 4 months after PPRT. Conclusions PRRT may be effective as a first or second line treatment in management of hypoglycemia for patients with hormonally active inoperable insulinoma.