Glossary
Terms you may hear
About GEP-NETs
Here are some words and phrases you may hear as you learn more about GEP-NETs.
Carcinoid syndrome
A set of NET symptoms, including flushing (redness), bloating, diarrhea, wheezing, cramping, and changes in heartbeat
Carcinoid crisis
A very serious and possibly life-threatening form of carcinoid syndrome. It can sometimes be triggered by certain medical procedures
GEP-NET (gastroenteropancreatic NET)
A NET that starts in the stomach, intestines, or pancreas
Grade
A measure of how fast tumor cells are growing or dividing. A higher grade means faster growth
Ki-67 index
A percentage that shows how fast tumor cells are growing; lower numbers usually mean slower growth, while higher numbers may mean faster growth
Metastasis
When a GEP-NET spreads from where it first started—often in the stomach, intestines, or pancreas—to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bones, or lymph nodes
Neuroendocrine tumor (NET)
A type of tumor that starts in cells that release hormones in response to signals from nerves
SSTR (somatostatin receptor)
A protein on the surface of some NET cells that certain treatments can target
SSTR+
GEP-NET cells that test positive for somatostatin receptors and may respond to targeted therapies
About treatments and medications
Find out more about some common terms you may hear during treatment.
Amino acid solution
A liquid solution given through an IV that contains 2 types of amino acids called lysine and arginine. Amino acids are building blocks of proteins found naturally in the body. During treatment, it helps protect your kidneys by reducing how much radiation reaches them while your body clears BEXLUTRY
Ligand
The part of the RLT that finds and locks onto specific receptors located mostly on certain cancer cells cells, delivering the radioactive treatment directly to the tumor
Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate
The active ingredient in BEXLUTRY. It is a type of RLT or PRRT used to treat SSTR+ GEP-NETs
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)
A treatment that uses a radiotracer to deliver targeted radiation straight to tumor cells to help slow or stop their growth. This treatment is also known as radioligand therapy
Radioisotope
A type of element that gives off radiation as it breaks down and becomes stable. They can be man-made or occur in nature, and are used in imaging tests and in treatment. They are also called radionuclides
Radioligand therapy (RLT)
A treatment that targets some types of cancer, including NETs. It delivers radiation to cancer cells while trying to leave healthy cells unharmed
Radiopharmaceutical
A medicine made up of 2 main parts—a radioactive part and a targeting part. Together, they find and attack cancer cells, like those found in GEP-NETs
Somatostatin analog (SSA)
A type of medication that can help control the growth of NETs by blocking the hormones that these tumors often make
Members of your care team
Learn more about how the members of your care team play a role in your care.
Care coordinator
Someone who helps organize appointments, treatments, and communication between specialists
Endocrinologist
A doctor who helps manage hormone-related symptoms and complications from NETs, especially when the tumors affect how your body makes or uses hormones
Financial counselor
Someone who can help you understand insurance coverage and treatment costs
Gastroenterologist
A doctor who specializes in the digestive system and helps diagnose and manage NETs that start in or affect the stomach, intestines, or pancreas
Interventional radiologist
A doctor who uses imaging, such as CT scans or ultrasound, to guide small procedures that treat NETs or help ease symptoms
Medical oncologist
A doctor who treats cancer by focusing on whole-body treatments like medication or chemotherapy
Multidisciplinary team
A group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and specialists who communicate with each other to coordinate your care, so you don’t have to manage it on your own
Nuclear medicine physician
A doctor who uses radiopharmaceuticals to find or treat tumors
Nuclear medicine technologist
They administer the radiopharmaceutical and perform the scan
Nuclear pharmacist
A medication expert who helps make sure BEXLUTRY and supportive medicines are safe and used correctly
Oncology nurse
A healthcare professional who administers your amino acid solution and monitors you while you receive BEXLUTRY
Oncology social worker
A member of your care team who can help you and your family cope with the emotional and practical challenges of GEP-NETs
Radiation oncologist
A doctor who uses targeted radiation therapy to help shrink GEP-NETs and control symptoms. In some centers, they may also help oversee nuclear medicine treatments
Surgeon
A doctor who may be able to treat NETs by performing surgery to remove these tumors
Looking for more information?
Get resources designed to help guide you through your treatment.
Learn about an imaging tool that can help diagnose GEP-NETs
Important Facts
What are some important things to know about the safety of Bexlutry?
Bexlutry may cause some serious side effects, and in some cases your healthcare provider may need to adjust or stop your treatment. You should always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. These safety considerations include:
- Radiation Exposure: Bexlutry is a radioactive medicine that contributes to your long-term radiation exposure. This may increase your risk of developing cancer later in life. Radiation from Bexlutry can be detected in your urine for up to 30 days after each treatment. It is important to reduce radiation exposure to yourself, your caregivers, and others in your home during and after treatment. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on steps you can take at home to reduce radiation exposure to people around you. Follow these instructions carefully.
- Bone Marrow problems: Treatment with Bexlutry may increase the risk of myelosuppression, a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased and the number of blood cells in your body becomes low. This may lead to blood-related side effects such as low red blood cells (anemia), low platelets that help your blood clot (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cells that help fight infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop signs or symptoms of infection, fever, chills, dizziness, shortness of breath, or unusual bleeding or bruising. Your healthcare provider will check your blood counts before and during treatment. Your treatment may be delayed, the dose may be reduced, or treatment may be stopped if your blood cell counts become too low.
- Secondary blood and bone marrow cancers: Treatment with Bexlutry may also increase the risk of developing certain blood and bone marrow cancers, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia. These conditions are uncommon but may occur months to years after treatment. Your healthcare provider will check your blood counts during treatment and may continue to monitor them after treatment.
- Kidney Problems: Treatment with Bexlutry exposes your kidneys to radiation and may impair their ability to work normally. You may be at increased risk for kidney problems if you already have kidney problems or conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure before treatment. In some cases, patients have experienced kidney failure after treatment with Bexlutry. Your healthcare provider will give you an amino acid solution before, during, and after treatment to help protect your kidneys. You should stay well hydrated before, on the day of, and on the day after your treatment. You should also urinate frequently before, on the day of, and on the day after receiving Bexlutry. Your healthcare provider will monitor your kidney function and may delay, reduce, or stop your treatment if kidney problems occur.
- Liver Problems: Treatment with Bexlutry may cause liver problems. In rare cases, bleeding, swelling, or tissue damage in liver tumors have been reported. If you have tumors in your liver, you may be at increased risk for these side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop signs or symptoms of liver problems, including yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, unusual darkening of your urine, unusual tiredness, pain in the upper right side of your stomach area, confusion, and/or swelling of your stomach area. Your healthcare provider will monitor your liver function using blood tests and may delay, reduce, or stop your treatment if liver problems occur.
- Allergic Reactions: Treatment with Bexlutry may cause allergic reactions. In some cases, these reactions may be serious. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction. Seek emergency medical help right away if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms may include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, rash, itching, or hives. Your healthcare provider will monitor you during and after treatment and may stop your treatment if a serious allergic reaction occurs.
- Hormonal Gland Problems: During treatment with Bexlutry, you may experience symptoms related to hormones released from your cancer. These symptoms may include flushing, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure, and may occur during or within 24 hours after your first treatment. Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any of these signs or symptoms.
- Pregnancy Warning: Bexlutry can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of Bexlutry. Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.
- Breastfeeding Warning: You should not breastfeed during treatment with Bexlutry and for 2.5 months after your last dose.
- Fertility Problems: Treatment with Bexlutry may cause fertility problems in males and females. This is because radiation absorbed by the testes or ovaries during treatment may affect your ability to have children. These effects may be temporary or permanent. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.
What are the most common side effects of Bexlutry?
The most common and most serious side effects of Bexlutry include decreased blood cell counts, increased liver enzymes, vomiting, nausea, increased blood sugar levels, and low potassium levels.
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any side effects that bother you or do not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Bexlutry; For more information or to learn more, talk to your healthcare provider.
What other medicines may interact with Bexlutry?
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking steroid medicines (such as glucocorticoids), as high doses may affect how this medicine works.
You should stop taking long-acting somatostatin analogs at least 4 weeks before treatment with Bexlutry. Short-acting somatostatin analogs may be used up to 24 hours before treatment.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for Bexlutry.
Approved Use
What is Bexlutry?
BexlutryTM (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate injection) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of cancer called gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), including neuroendocrine tumors of the foregut, midgut, and hindgut. It is used when these tumors have a protein on their surface called a somatostatin receptor, which allows the medicine to find and target them.