Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: January 17, 2025
Immunotherapy for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs): a 2021 update
Christo Kole1, Nikolaos Charalampakis2, Michail Vailas3
1First Department of Surgery, Laikon General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27, Athens, Greece. christo.kole@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of heterogeneous malignancies, arising from the neuroendocrine system. These neoplasms are divided into two distinct groups, the low-proliferating, well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and the highly-proliferating, poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Recent data demonstrate that the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms, GEP-NETs and GEP-NECs, has increased exponentially over the last three decades. Although surgical resection is considered the best treatment modality, patients with GEP-NETs often present with advanced disease at diagnosis associated with a 5-year survival rate of 57% for well-differentiated tumors, and only 5.2% for small-cell tumors. Immunotherapy is a novel treatment approach, which has demonstrated effective and promising therapeutic results against several types of cancers. In the present study, we review the current ongoing clinical trials and to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy in GEP-NENs. Furthermore, we analyze the importance of tumor genetic profiling and its clinical implications in immunotherapy response.
Insights
Immunotherapy shows promise for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), particularly in gastroenteropancreatic types. This review examines clinical trials and genetic profiling
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are diverse cancers originating from the neuroendocrine system.
- NENs are classified as well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) or poorly-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs).
- Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs incidence has risen significantly, with advanced disease often diagnosed, leading to poor survival rates for NECs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ongoing clinical trials evaluating immunotherapy efficacy in GEP-NENs.
- To analyze the role of tumor genetic profiling in predicting immunotherapy response.
- To explore novel treatment strategies for advanced GEP-NENs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current clinical trials on immunotherapy for GEP-NENs.
- Analysis of published data on genetic profiling in NENs.
- Evaluation of treatment outcomes and response predictors.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy has shown promising results in various cancers and is being investigated for GEP-NENs.
- Genetic profiling may identify biomarkers predictive of immunotherapy response.
- Advanced GEP-NETs and GEP-NECs have limited treatment options, highlighting the need for novel approaches.
Conclusions:
- Immunotherapy represents a potential new treatment avenue for GEP-NENs.
- Tumor genetic profiling is crucial for personalizing immunotherapy strategies.
- Further research and clinical trials are needed to establish immunotherapy's role in GEP-NEN management.
More Related Videos
07:08Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
08:35Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles
Published on: January 4, 2012
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
01:28Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...