Medical treatment for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

Gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEPNENs) 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.

Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors associated with gastroenteropancreatic mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND The incidence of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms(MiNEN)is low.To improve our understanding of this rare tumor type and optimally guide clinical treatment,associated risk factors,clinical manifestations,and prognosis must be explored.AIM To identify risk factors that influence the prognosis of patients with gastroenteropancreatic MiNEN(GEP-MiNEN).METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 46 patients who were diagnosed with GEP-MiNEN at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College(Anhui,China)between January 2013 and December 2017.Risk factors influencing the prognosis of the patients were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and cox regression models.We compared the results with 55 randomly selected patients with gastroenteropancreatic GEP neuroendocrine tumors,47 with neuroendocrine carcinomas(NEC),and 58 with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma.RESULTS Among the 46 patients with GEP-MiNEN,thirty-five had gastric tumors,nine had intestinal tumors(four in the small intestine and five in the colon and rectum),and two had pancreatic tumors.The median age of the patients was 66(41-84)years,and the male-to-female ratio was 2.83.Thirty-three(71.7%)patients had clinical stage III and IV cancers.Distant metastasis occurred in 14 patients,of which 13 had metastasis to the liver.The follow-up period was 11-72 mo,and the median overall survival was 30 mo.Ki-67 index≥50%,high proportion of NEC,lymph node involvement,distant metastasis,and higher clinical stage were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with GEP-MiNEN.The median overall survival was shorter for patients with NEC than for those with MiNEN(14 mo vs 30 mo,P=0.001),but did not significantly differ from those with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and MiNEN(30 mo vs 18 mo,P=0.453).CONCLUSION A poor prognosis is associated with rare,aggressive GEP-MiNEN.Ki-67 index,tumor composition,lymph node involvement,distant metastasis,and clinical stage are important factors for patient prognosis.

Endoscopic techniques for diagnosis and treatment of gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms:Where we are

BACKGROUND The correct localization of the primary tumor site and a complete histological diagnosis represent the milestones for the proper management of gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms(GEP-NENs).AIM To analyze current evidence on the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis/treatment of GEP-NENs.METHODS An extensive bibliographical search was performed in PubMed to identify guidelines and primary literature(retrospective and prospective studies,systematic reviews,case series)published in the last 15 years,using both medical subject heading(MeSH)terms and free-language keywords:gastro-enteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms;endoscopy;ultrasound endoscopy;capsule endoscopy;double-balloon enteroscopy;diagnosis;therapy;staging.RESULTS In the diagnostic setting,endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)represents the diagnostic gold standard for pancreatic NENs and the technique of choice for the locoregional staging of gastric,duodenal and rectal NENs.The diagnosis of small bowel NENs(sbNENs)has been improved with the advent of video capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy,which allow for direct visualization of the entire small bowel;however,data regarding the efficacy/safety of these techniques in the detection of sbNENs are scanty and often inconclusive.From a therapeutic point of view,endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice for the majority of gastric NENs(type 1/2),for well-differentiated localized nonmetastatic duodenal NENs<1 cm,confined to the submucosa layer and for<10 mm,stage T1–T2,rectal NENs.EUS-guided pancreatic locoregional ablative treatments have been proposed in recent studies with promising results in order to control symptoms or reduce tumor burden in selected patients.CONCLUSION Standard axial endoscopy and EUS still play a pivotal role in several GEP-NENs.Advanced techniques for increasing the rate of R0 resection should be reserved for high-volume referral centers.