Familial SDHB gene mutation in disseminated non-hypoxia-related malignant paraganglioma treated with [⁹⁰Y]Y/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-DOTATATE

Abstract

Familial paraganglioma may be related to mutations in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme complex genes. Among patients with hereditary paraganglioma, SDH subunit B (SDHB) gene mutations are associated with the highest morbidity and mortality related to a higher malignancy rate. We report a family with the c.689G>A (p.Arg230His) mutation in the SDHB gene identified in two family members, a father and his daughter. While the 14-year-old daughter had no evidence of clinical disease, recurrent and later disseminated [¹³¹I]metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake-negative head and neck paraganglioma with multiple bone metastases developed in the father who underwent peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with [⁹⁰Y]Y/[¹⁷⁷Lu]Lu-dodecane tetraacetic acid octreotate (DOTATATE) at the time of the genetic diagnosis. This treatment was repeated 6 years later due to disease progression and the patient, who is currently 49 years old, remains alive and in good overall clinical condition at 8 years of follow-up after the original presentation at our unit. The growing armamentarium of imaging methods available for such patients may inform decision making regarding choice of the optimal treatment approach, potentially contributing to improved outcomes.