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Predictive Markers of Response to Everolimus and Sunitinib in Neuroendocrine Tumors

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Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a large and heterogeneous group of malignancies with various biological and clinical characteristics, depending on the site of origin and the grade of tumor proliferation. In NETs, as in other cancer types, molecularly targeted therapies have radically changed the therapeutic landscape. Recently two targeted agents, the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib, have both demonstrated significantly prolonged progression free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic NETs. Despite these important therapeutic developments, there are still significant limitations to the use of these agents due to the lack of accurate biomarkers for predicting tumor response and efficacy of therapy. In this review, we provide an overview of the current clinical data for the evaluation of predictive factors of response to/efficacy of everolimus and sunitinib in advanced pancreatic NETs. Surrogate indicators discussed include circulating and tissue markers, as well as non-invasive imaging techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Neuroendocrine Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, 20141 via Ripamonti, 435, Milan, Italy

    Diana Martins, Francesca Spada, Ioana Lambrescu, Manila Rubino, Chiara Cella & Nicola Fazio

  2. Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Bianca Gibelli

  3. Division of Nuclear Medicine, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Chiara Grana

  4. Division of Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Dario Ribero & Emilio Bertani

  5. Division of Endoscopy, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Davide Ravizza

  6. Division of Interventional Radiology, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Guido Bonomo

  7. Division of Radiology, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Luigi Funicelli

  8. Division of Pathology, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Eleonora Pisa

  9. Division of Radiotherapy, European Institute of Oncology, IEO, Milan, Italy

    Dario Zerini

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  1. Diana Martins
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IEO ENETS Center of Excellence for GEP NETs

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Correspondence to Nicola Fazio.

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Nicola Fazio has received consulting fees or honorarium for oral presentations from Novartis, Ipsen and Pfizer. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Martins, D., Spada, F., Lambrescu, I. et al. Predictive Markers of Response to Everolimus and Sunitinib in Neuroendocrine Tumors. Targ Oncol 12, 611–622 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11523-017-0506-5

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