Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
Chemotherapy in NEN: still has a role?
Paula Espinosa-Olarte1, Anna La Salvia1, Maria C Riesco-Martinez1
1Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Imas12, UCM, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) comprise a broad spectrum of tumors with widely variable biological and clinical behavior. Primary tumor site, extent of disease, tumor differentiation and expression of so matostatin receptors, proliferation and growth rates are the major prognostic factors that determine the therapeutic strategy. Treatment options for advanced disease have considerably expanded in recent years, particularly for well differentiated tumors (NETs). Novel drugs approved over the past decade in this context include somatostatin analogues and 177Lu-oxodotreotide for somatostatin-receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs, sunitinib for pancreatic NETs (P-NETs), and everolimus for P-NETs and non-functioning lung or gastrointestinal NETs. Nevertheless, chemotherapy remains an essential component of the treatment armamentarium of patients with NENs, particularly of patients with P-NETs or those with bulky, symptomatic or rapidly progressive tumors (generally G3 or high-G2 NENs). In this manuscript we will comprehensively review available evidence related to the use of chemotherapy in lung and GEP NENs and will critically discuss its role in the treatment algorithm of this family of neoplasms.
Insights
Chemotherapy is crucial for advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), especially pancreatic NENs and high-grade tumors. This review examines chemotherapy
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Tumor Biology
Background:
- Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) present diverse clinical and biological behaviors.
- Prognostic factors include primary site, disease extent, differentiation, and receptor expression.
- Treatment strategies are guided by these prognostic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the evidence for chemotherapy in lung and gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs.
- To critically discuss the role of chemotherapy within the NEN treatment algorithm.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on chemotherapy for NENs.
- Critical analysis of clinical trial data and treatment guidelines.
- Discussion of chemotherapy's place in managing advanced NENs.
Main Results:
- Recent advances include somatostatin analogues, 177Lu-oxodotreotide, sunitinib, and everolimus for specific NEN subtypes.
- Chemotherapy remains essential for pancreatic NENs and high-grade/symptomatic NENs.
- Evidence for chemotherapy's efficacy in lung and GEP NENs is reviewed.
Conclusions:
- While novel therapies have expanded options, chemotherapy retains a vital role in NEN management.
- Chemotherapy is particularly important for advanced, high-grade, or symptomatic NENs.
- Further discussion is needed to optimize chemotherapy's integration into NEN treatment algorithms.
Related Concept Videos
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

