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Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines as a Three-Dimensional Model for the Study of Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy
12:04

Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Cell Lines as a Three-Dimensional Model for the Study of Human Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy

Published on: August 14, 2012

New drugs in the therapy of neuroendocrine tumors

S Grozinsky-Glasberg1, D J Gross

  • 1Neuroendocrine Tumor Unit, Endocrinology and Metabolism Service, Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. simonag@hadassah.org.il

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|October 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are increasing, often becoming metastatic. Newer targeted therapies, including somatostatin analogs, sunitinib, and everolimus, show promise in treating advanced gastro-entero-pancreatic NET (GEP-NET).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare, increasing neoplasms with a tendency to metastasize.
  • Traditional treatments for NET have limited efficacy, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Advances in understanding molecular pathways offer potential targets for NET treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review newer molecular targeted agents for advanced well-differentiated gastro-entero-pancreatic NET (GEP-NET).
  • To discuss the efficacy of somatostatin analogs, sunitinib, and everolimus in GEP-NET.
  • To propose a treatment algorithm for the heterogeneous presentations of GEP-NET.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent randomized trials and available data on molecular targeted agents.
  • Analysis of therapeutic strategies for advanced well-differentiated GEP-NET.
  • Synthesis of information to develop a treatment algorithm.

Main Results:

  • Somatostatin analogs can inhibit tumor progression in certain NET settings.
  • Multi-TKI sunitinib and mTOR-inhibitor everolimus have demonstrated positive impacts on pancreatic NET (PNET) natural history.
  • Newer molecular targeted agents offer improved treatment options for advanced GEP-NET.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted therapies represent a significant advancement in managing advanced GEP-NET.
  • Personalized treatment algorithms are needed due to the heterogeneity of GEP-NET.
  • Further research into molecular pathways will likely yield more effective NET treatments.

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