An update on the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Anticancer Drugs. 2018 Aug;29(7):597-612. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000633.

Abstract

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasia and differ in their clinical presentation, behavior, and prognosis based on both histological features and cancer stage at the time of diagnosis. Although small-sized tumors can be surgically resected, locally advanced and metastatic tumors confer a poor prognosis. In addition, only limited treatment options are available to the latter group of patients with PNETs, such as hormonal analogs, cytotoxic agents, and targeted therapy. In selected patients, liver-directed therapies are also used. As expected, clinicians taking care of these patients are challenged to develop an effective and comprehensive treatment strategy for their patients amid a wide variety of treatment modalities. Targeted therapy for PNETs is limited to sunitinib and everolimus. Presently, a number of clinical studies are ongoing to assess the efficacy of newer targeted agents alone and in combination with previous agents for the treatment of advanced PNETs. The authors reviewed the current treatment and also discussed the emerging agents and emphasized the need to identify biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Everolimus / administration & dosage
  • Everolimus / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / blood supply
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Sunitinib / administration & dosage
  • Sunitinib / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Everolimus
  • Sunitinib