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Integrating Functional Imaging and Molecular Profiling for Optimal Treatment Selection in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Grace Kong1,2, Emma Boehm3,4, Owen Prall5
1Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. Grace.kong@petermac.org.
Purpose Of Review:
Gastroenteropancreatic NEN (GEP-NEN) are group of malignancies with significant clinical, anatomical and molecular heterogeneity. High-grade GEP-NEN in particular present unique management challenges.
Recent Findings:
In the current era, multidisciplinary management with access to a combination of functional imaging and targeted molecular profiling can provide important disease characterisation, guide individualised management and improve patient outcome. Multiple treatment options are now available, and combination and novel therapies are being explored in clinical trials. Precision medicine is highly relevant for a heterogenous disease like NEN. The integration of dual-tracer functional PET/CT imaging, molecular histopathology and genomic data has the potential to be used to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual patient's disease biology for precision diagnosis, prognostication and optimal treatment allocation.
Insights
High-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NEN) present management challenges. Integrating advanced imaging and molecular profiling aids precision diagnosis and treatment for these heterogeneous cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Genomics
Background:
- Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NEN) exhibit significant heterogeneity.
- High-grade GEP-NEN pose unique clinical management challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies for characterizing and managing GEP-NEN.
- To highlight the role of precision medicine in addressing GEP-NEN heterogeneity.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary management approaches.
- Functional imaging techniques, including dual-tracer PET/CT.
- Targeted molecular profiling and genomic data analysis.
Main Results:
- Integrated diagnostic approaches improve disease characterization.
- Personalized management strategies enhance patient outcomes.
- Novel therapies and combinations are under investigation in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Precision medicine is crucial for managing heterogeneous GEP-NEN.
- Combining functional imaging, molecular histopathology, and genomic data offers comprehensive disease understanding.
- This integrated approach facilitates precision diagnosis, prognostication, and optimal treatment allocation.
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