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Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: signal pathways and targeted therapies

L Peng1, R E Schwarz

  • 1Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5909 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9234, USA. lan.peng@utsouthwestern.edu

Current Molecular Medicine
|January 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

New targeted therapies like sunitinib and everolimus offer hope for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). This review explores molecular targets and their implications for treating unresectable PNETs.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) present diverse clinical behaviors and prognoses.
  • Over 60% of PNETs are diagnosed at advanced stages, often precluding surgical resection.
  • Limited treatment options existed for unresectable advanced PNETs before 2011.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review major signaling pathways frequently altered in PNETs.
  • To discuss the implications of these molecular alterations for PNET therapy.
  • To highlight the promise of biologic therapies targeting specific pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of signaling pathways in PNETs.
  • Analysis of targeted therapeutic agents approved for PNETs.
  • Discussion of molecular alterations and their therapeutic relevance.

Main Results:

  • Breakthroughs in signal pathway research identified new therapeutic targets.
  • FDA approval of sunitinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) in 2011.
  • Targeted agents offer new treatment avenues for advanced PNETs.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting specific molecular pathways is a promising therapeutic strategy for PNETs.
  • Biologic therapies represent a significant advancement in managing advanced and unresectable PNETs.
  • Understanding PNET molecular biology is crucial for developing effective treatments.

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