A New Era for the Systemic Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the underlying biology of neuroendocrine tumors including pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) and carcinoids and the importance of these biologic features in the evolution of new drugs for these diseases. Cite the historical data regarding the use of cytotoxic agents in the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoids. Explain the significance of recent clinical trials utilizing biologic agents, in particular octreotide, the small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sunitinib and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, everolimus, and how these medications have altered the natural history of both pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoids.This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com Carcinoids and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are becoming increasingly common, with the majority of patients presenting with either lymph node involvement or metastatic disease. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in these tumors has implicated several pathways that have led to new therapeutic approaches. In this manuscript, we describe the biology of neuroendocrine tumors and approaches to systemic therapy. We review early data regarding the use of cytotoxics and several recent studies employing more targeted approaches that promise to change the standard of care. Specifically, phase III studies indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway with sunitinib, and of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway with everolimus, appears to have altered the natural history of these diseases. These successes set the stage for further advances in the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.