Case Report: Primary Hypothyroidism Associated With Lutetium 177-DOTATATE Therapy for Metastatic Paraganglioma

Background Lutetium 177 (Lu-177) - DOTATATE is a form of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) utilized in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Data on Lu-177-DOTATATE-induced thyroid dysfunction is limited. Case Description A 29-year-old male with SDHB positive metastatic paraganglioma enrolled under the Lu-177-DOTATATE trial (NCT03206060) underwent thyroid function test (TFT) evaluation comprised of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) immunoassay measurements per protocol prior to Lu-177-DOTATATE therapy. The TSH was suppressed [<0.01 mu IU/ml (0.27-4.2 mu IU/ml)], and FT4 was normal [1.3 ng/dl (0.9-1.7 ng/dl)]. The TSH receptor antibody and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin index were undetectable [<1 IU/L (<= 1.75 IU/L), and <1 (<= 1.3) respectively], while the anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies were elevated [605 IU/ml (0.0-34.9 IU/ml), and 178 IU/ml (0.0-40.0 IU/ml) respectively]. Mass spectrometry on a stored (-80 degrees C) plasma sample obtained one-month pre-PRRT revealed elevated total triiodothyronine (TT3) [235 ng/dl (65-193 ng/dl)] and FT4 [3.9 ng/dl (1.2-2.9 ng/dl)] levels. The patient was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyrotoxicosis. However, the patient was asymptomatic. One month after the first dose of 200mCi Lu-177-DOTATATE, the patient noted fatigue and a 2.6 Kg weight gain. The TSH (73.04 mu IU/ml), anti-TPO antibodies (>1,000 IU/ml), and anti-Tg antibodies (668 IU/ml) had substantially increased, with reductions in FT4 (0.3 ng/dl) and TT3 [54 ng/dl (87-169 ng/dl)]. Diagnostic gallium 68 - DOTATATE positron emission tomography-computed tomography performed prior to Lu-177-DOTATATE treatment revealed diffuse thyroid uptake. Post-therapy single-photon emission computed tomography also revealed diffuse uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE in the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine therapy was initiated, and the patient's symptoms resolved. We report, for the first time, a patient with asymptomatic primary hyperthyroidism who rapidly developed symptomatic primary hypothyroidism 1 month after Lu-177-DOTATATE therapy, accompanied by marked changes in TFTs and thyroid auto-antibody titers, with functional imaging evidence of diffuse uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE in the thyroid gland. Conclusions Thyroid dysfunction can be associated with PRRT. Thyroid uptake patterns on pre-treatment diagnostic somatostatin analog scans might predict individual susceptibility to PRRT-associated TFT disruption. Therefore, periodic evaluation of TFTs should be considered in patients receiving PRRT.

Automated summary

The study reported a case of a patient who developed symptomatic primary hypothyroidism after receiving Lu-177-DOTATATE therapy, with notable changes in TFTs and thyroid auto-antibody titers before and after treatment. Functional imaging revealed diffuse uptake of Lu-177-DOTATATE in the thyroid gland.