Current and emerging strategies for the management of advanced/metastatic lung neuroendocrine tumors

Megan Rutherford1, Margaret Wheless2, Katharine Thomas3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

PubMed

Insights

Advanced low-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) require diverse treatments. Emerging therapies like targeted alpha therapy offer new options beyond somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, and PRRT.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nuclear Medicine

Background:

  • Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) encompass a range from typical carcinoids to small cell lung cancer.
  • Increasing incidence of low-grade pulmonary NETs necessitates enhanced treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging treatments for advanced low-grade pulmonary NETs.
  • To discuss therapeutic sequencing, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current treatment options for pulmonary NETs.
  • Exploration of emerging therapies, including peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and targeted alpha therapy.
  • Emphasis on the role of a multidisciplinary team.

Main Results:

  • Somatostatin analogs remain a cornerstone of therapy.
  • Targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy are also utilized.
  • Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and targeted alpha therapy represent advancements.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach is crucial for managing advanced low-grade pulmonary NETs.
  • Emerging therapies offer promising alternatives and adjuncts to existing treatments.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize patient outcomes.