Current therapeutic strategy of unresectable pNET in Japan

Abstract

The most common cytotoxic agent for the treatment of pNETs is streptozocin. Two kinds of molecular targeted agents, everolimus and sunitinib have been recently assessed in phase III placebo-controlled trials, producing a significant benefit, with improvement in progression-free survival. Regarding the somatostatin analogue, the PROMID trial demonstrated an improvement in time to tumor progression by octreotide LAR in neuroendocrine tumors of the midgut. Additionally, the CLARINET study comparing lanreotide autogel to placebo in patients with non-functioning pancreatic or intestinal neuroendocrine tumors demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival. Tumour-targeted radiolabelled somatostatin analogues have been used during the past few years with some encouraging results. In treating advanced NEC, guidelines recommend chemotherapy regimens, which are suitable for small-cell lung carcinoma.