Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Establishment and Characterization of Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumor Spheroids
Published on: October 14, 2019
Advances in small bowel neuroendocrine neoplasia
Michaela S Banck1, Andreas S Beutler
1Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
This review aims at summarizing progress in clinical trials and basic science redefining the diagnosis and treatment of well differentiated small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NET).
Recent Findings:
Two clinical trials demonstrated antitumor activity of the long-acting somatostatin analogues octreotide long-acting release and lanreotide for advanced SI-NET. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus is another treatment option for patients with SI-NET, but awaits definitive proof of benefit in the ongoing RAD001 In Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors study (RADIANT-4). Two whole exome/genome-sequencing studies reported in the past year provided the first genome-wide analysis of large sets of SI-NET at nucleotide resolution. Candidate therapeutically relevant alterations were found to affect SRC, SMAD genes, aurora kinase A, epidermal growth factor receptor, heat shock protein 90, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor as well as mutually exclusive amplification of RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1) or AKT2 and other alterations of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling genes. The gene CDKN1B is inactivated by small insertions/deletions in 8% of patients with SI-NET suggesting cell cycle inhibitors as new candidate drugs for SI-NET. Circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived RNA in the blood are promising clinical tests for SI-NET.
Summary:
Clinical and genomic research may merge in the near future to re-shape clinical trials and to define the 'personalized' treatment options for patients with SI-NET.
Insights
Advances in small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NET) include new drug trial results and genomic insights. Future research will merge clinical and genomic data for personalized SI-NET treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Small intestine neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NET) are a complex group of neoplasms.
- Understanding the molecular basis of SI-NET is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent clinical trial progress in SI-NET diagnosis and treatment.
- To summarize key findings from basic science research, including genomic analyses.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data for somatostatin analogues and mTOR inhibitors.
- Analysis of whole exome/genome sequencing studies in SI-NET.
- Examination of emerging biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells and RNA.
Main Results:
- Long-acting somatostatin analogues show antitumor activity in advanced SI-NET.
- Genomic studies identified therapeutically relevant alterations in signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR) and cell cycle regulators (e.g., CDKN1B).
- Circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived RNA show promise as diagnostic biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Clinical and genomic research are converging to redefine SI-NET treatment strategies.
- Personalized treatment approaches for SI-NET are anticipated based on integrated clinical and molecular data.
