Dataset Information

Novel molecular targets for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors: answers and unsolved problems.

ABSTRACT: As more knowledge on molecular alterations favoring carcinogenesis and spreading of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors has become available, a number of targeted agents interfering with key growth and angiogenic pathways have been explored in preclinical and clinical studies. The mTOR inhibitor Everolimus, and the multi-target antiangiogenetic agent Sunitinib, have been shown to be effective and thus have been approved by the FDA for treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors. However, there is little data on the primary resistance to targeted agents on these tumors. The goals of the present review are to elucidate the possible advantage of combined treatments in overcoming induced resistances, and to identify biomarkers able to predict clinical efficacy. Moreover, the role of interesting targets for which a strong biological rationale exists, and specific inhibitors are available, such as the Src Family Kinases and the Hedgehog Pathway, are discussed. There is now need for more preclinical studies on cell lines and animal models to provide a stronger preclinical background in this field, as well as clinical trials specifically comparing one targeted therapy with another or combining different targeted agents.

SUBMITTER: Capurso G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3565249 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Novel molecular targets for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors: answers and unsolved problems.

Capurso Gabriele G Fendrich Volker V Rinzivillo Maria M Panzuto Francesco F Bartsch Detlef K DK Delle Fave Gianfranco G

International journal of molecular sciences 20121220 1

As more knowledge on molecular alterations favoring carcinogenesis and spreading of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors has become available, a number of targeted agents interfering with key growth and angiogenic pathways have been explored in preclinical and clinical studies. The mTOR inhibitor Everolimus, and the multi-target antiangiogenetic agent Sunitinib, have been shown to be effective and thus have been approved by the FDA for treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors. However, there ...[more]

PMID: 23344019

Similar Datasets

Project description:Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent the most common subtype of NETs. The incidence of all NETs, and specifically GEP NETs, has risen exponentially over the last three decades. Only within the past several years have these tumors been appropriately classified, allowing for meaningful drug development. Broadly, some of the most exciting drug classes being developed for patients with well-differentiated GEP NETs include newer types of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or combinations which increase the potency of lutetium-177 (177Lu)-Dotatate, novel multi-target receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) and immunotherapy modalities, beyond checkpoint inhibitors, which seek to unleash the immune system against NETs. Specifically looking at newer types of PRRT, somatostatin receptor antagonists and alpha-emitter radionuclides each have demonstrated the ability to elicit greater DNA damage than 177Lu-Dotatate in preclinical models. Early clinical experiences with each of these agents suggest they may be more cytotoxic than 177Lu-Dotatate. Other approaches seeking to build upon the DNA damage created by 177Lu-Dotatate include combinations of PRRT with radiosensitizers such as heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, hedgehog inhibitors, chemotherapy combinations, and triapine. Many of these combinations have just begun to be tested clinically. With regards to novel RTKIs, some of the ones which have demonstrated potent cytoreductive potential include cabozantinib and lenvatinib. Other RTKIs which are further along the clinical development spectrum and have demonstrated benefit in randomized trials include surufatinib and pazopanib. And though single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitors have not demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in patients with GEP NETs, outside of certain biomarker selected subsets, somatostatin receptor-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and vaccines such as SurVaxM, which targets survivin, represent two means through which NET-directed immunity may be modulated. The potential of these agents, if clinically realized, will likely improve outcomes for patients with well-differentiated GEP NETs.

Project description:IntroductionNeuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a rare group of tumors exceptionally heterogeneous, with clinical presentation ranging from well differentiated more indolent tumors to poorly differentiated very aggressive forms. Both are often diagnosed after the metastatic spread and require appropriate medical treatment. A high priority need in the management of this disease is the identification of effective therapeutic strategies for advanced and metastatic patients. The recent TALENT trial demonstrated the efficacy of lenvatinib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) with no other treatment indication. Further development of this drug in advanced NETs is warranted.MethodsWe investigated potential clinical and molecular determinants of lenvatinib response in human primary cultures derived from patients with GEP-NET of different grades and sites of origin. We correlated response to treatment with patient clinical characteristics, with the mutational status of 161-cancer associated genes and with the expression levels of MKI-related genes.ResultsLenvatinib exerted a significant antitumor activity in primary GEP-NET cells, with median survival inhibitions similar or higher than those of standard frontline treatments. Of the 11 primary cultures analyzed in our case series, 6 were classified as responder showing a significant survival inhibition, and 5 as non-responder. We observed that the overexpression of HRAS in the original tumor tissue compared to the matched healthy tissue significantly correlated with responsiveness of primary cells to lenvatinib (p=.048). All 5 non-responder cultures showed normal HRAS expression, while of the 6 responder cultures, 4 had HRAS overexpression. Overexpression of HRAS was not associated with gene mutation. None of the other evaluated clinical variables (grade, Ki67, site of origin and syndromic disease) or molecular markers correlated with response.DiscussionLenvatinib appears to be a highly effective drug for the treatment of NETs. The evaluation of HRAS expression in the tumor tissue might improve patient selection and optimize therapeutic outcome.

Dataset Information

Novel molecular targets for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors: answers and unsolved problems.

Publications

Novel molecular targets for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors: answers and unsolved problems.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets