Treatment of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the pancreas

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare malignancy that remains a challenge to treat. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma occurs at an incidence of 2% annually in United States. The current standard of care is based largely upon retrospective data. There remains a need for large prospective cooperative group trials in the management of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. In this paper, we will review abstract #e15096 (Paclitaxel, carboplatin, and etoposide (TCE) in advanced poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma) by Loeffler et al. and #e15071 (Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC G3): prognostic factors and potential novel targets) by Heetfeld et al. presented at the 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting highlighting treatment options in first and second lines for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma.