Awarded $260,101 to support Canadian participation in the STOPNET international trial Wednesday, August 02, 2023 The CCTG NE2 trial has been awarded $260,101 in the Spring CIHR grants announcement to support Canadian participation in the STOPNET international trial, a Randomized Study of Cessation of Somatostatin Analogues after Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in Mid-Gut Neuroendocrine Tumours. This trial will investigate whether it is worthwhile for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients to continue somatostatin analogue (SSA) therapy after treatment with peptide radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The study proposes to stop SSA injections for some patients following PRRT in order for researchers to compare tumour growth, side effects and quality of life with patients who continue SSA injections. “The STOPNET clinical trial will help us determine whether it’s necessary to continue somatostatin analogues (SSAs) for all patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) receiving peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). If we are able to stop SSAs in patients without hormone secreting tumors, this will reduce patient treatment burden and result in considerable cost savings for the health care system,” says Dr Jonathan Loree, GI medical oncologist at BC Cancer and the NE2 trial co-chair. Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) usually begin in specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells, similar to nerve cells or hormone-producing cells. However, approximately 75% of NETs do not result in hormone overproduction and the main treatment for both is SSA, which slows tumour growth and reduce hormone production. Unfortunately, the majority of patients will experience tumour growth despite SSA therapy. When this occurs, PRRT is added in combination with ongoing SSA therapy but it is not known if continuing SSA therapy after PRRT is beneficial or not. The study hopes to support the best care options and quality of life for NETs patients. "STOPNET is one of the first international pilot study designed to assess feasibility of SSA cessation after PRRT treatment. This phase II pilot study will allow the research community to design a successful phase III study," says Dr Rachel Goodwin, medical oncologist at Ottawa Hospital and the NE2 trial co-chair. The Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Trials Group is leading the trial and CCTG will conduct the trial in Canada. The trial will generate data to inform the feasibility and design of a subsequent larger clinical trial and will inform public health decisions and treatment guidelines. STOPNET will also foster international collaboration in clinical research for NETs. Dr Jonathan Loree, CCTG NE2 trial co-chair. Dr Rachel Goodwin, CCTG NE2 trial co-chair.
