Open AccessMedical treatment for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Author(s) -
Rossana Berardi,
Francesca Morgese,
Mariangela Torniai,
Agnese Savini,
Stefano Partelli,
Silvia Rinaldi,
Miriam Caramanti,
Consuelo Ferrini,
Massimo Falconi,
Stefano Cascinu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of gastrointestinal oncology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1948-5204
DOI - 10.4251/wjgo.v8.i4.389
Subject(s) - medicine , sunitinib , growth factor , cancer research , platelet derived growth factor receptor , growth factor receptor , vascular endothelial growth factor , everolimus , growth factor receptor inhibitor , platelet derived growth factor , transforming growth factor , somatostatin , neuroendocrine tumors , receptor , epidermal growth factor receptor , epidermal growth factor , cancer , vegf receptors
Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) represents a various family of rare tumours. Surgery is the first choice in GEP-NENs patients with localized disease whilst in the metastatic setting many other treatment options are available. Somatostatin analogues are indicated for symptoms control in functioning tumours. Furthermore they may be effective to inhibit tumour progression. GEP-NENs pathogenesis has been extensively studied in the last years therefore several driver mutations pathway genes have been identified as crucial factors in their tumourigenesis. GEP-NENs can over-express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic-fibroblastic growth factor, transforming growth factor (TGF-α and -β), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and their receptors PDGF receptor, IGF-1 receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, VEGF receptor, and c-kit (stem cell factor receptor) that can be considered as potential targets. The availability of new targeted agents, such as everolimus and sunitinib that are effective in advanced and metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, has provided new treatment opportunities. Many trials combing new drugs are ongoing.