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Vogl TJ, Gruber-Rouh T, Naguib NNN, Lingwal N, Bolik P. Liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors: Conventional transarterial chemoembolization and thermal ablation. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2024; 196:381-389. [PMID: 38109897 DOI: 10.1055/a-2193-0722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify prognostic factors for patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) undergoing conventional transarterial chemoembolization (c-TACE), microwave ablation (MWA), or laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) and to determine the most effective therapy regarding volume reduction of NELM and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1996 and 2020, 130 patients (82 men, 48 women) were treated with c-TACE, and 40 patients were additionally treated with thermal ablation. Survival was retrospectively analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier-method. Additional analyses were performed depending on the therapeutic intention (curative, palliative, symptomatic). Prognostic factors were derived using Cox regression. To find predictive factors for volume reduction in response to c-TACE, a mixed-effects model was used. RESULTS With c-TACE, an overall median volume reduction of 23.5 % was achieved. An average decrease in tumor volume was shown until the 6th c-TACE treatment, then the effect stopped. C-TACE interventions were most effective at the beginning of c-TACE therapy, and treatment breaks longer than 90 days negatively influenced the outcome. Significant prognostic factors for survival were number of liver lesions (p = 0.0001) and type of therapeutic intention (p < 0.0001). Minor complications and one major complication occurred in 20.3 % of LITT and only in 8.6 % of MWA interventions. Complete ablation was observed in 95.7 % (LITT) and 93.1 % (MWA) of interventions. CONCLUSION New prognostic factors were found for survival and volume reduction. Efficacy of c-TACE decreases after the 6th intervention and treatment breaks longer than 90 days should be avoided. With thermal ablation, a high rate of complete ablation was achieved, and survival improved. KEY POINTS · Number of liver lesions and therapeutic intention are prognostic factors for survival.. · Regarding volume reduction, C-TACE is most effective at the beginning of treatment and longer treatment breaks should be avoided.. · With MWA and LITT, a high rate of complete ablation was achieved. MWA trends toward fewer complications than LITT in the treatment of NELM (p = 0.07)..
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Vogl
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt Center of Radiology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tatjana Gruber-Rouh
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt Center of Radiology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nagy N N Naguib
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt Center of Radiology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Neelam Lingwal
- University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Institute for Biostatistics and Mathematical Modeling, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Philipp Bolik
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt Center of Radiology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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2
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Cavalcoli F, Gallo C, Coltro LA, Rausa E, Cantù P, Invernizzi P, Massironi S. Therapeutic Challenges for Gastric Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Take It or Leave It? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1757. [PMID: 37893475 PMCID: PMC10608689 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (gNENs) represent rare but increasingly recognized tumors. They are distinguished into three main clinical types (type-1, type-2, and type-3) according to gastrin level and at histological evaluation in well-differentiated G1, G2, or G3 lesions, as well as poorly-differentiated lesions. Small type-1 and type-2 neoplasms with low proliferation indices demonstrated excellent survival without progression during an extended follow-up period, and for these reasons, active endoscopic observation or endoscopic resection are feasible options. On the other hand, surgery is the treatment of choice for more aggressive type-3, G3, or infiltrating neoplasms. The present study aims to comprehensively review and compare the available therapeutic strategies for gNENs. Materials and Methods: A computerized literature search was performed using relevant keywords to identify all of the pertinent articles with particular attention to gNEN endoscopic treatment. Results: In recent years, different endoscopic resective techniques (such as endoscopic mucosal dissection, modified endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection) have been developed, showing a high rate of complete resection for advanced and more aggressive lesions. Conclusions: Overall, gNENs represent a heterogeneous group of lesions with varying behavior which require personalized management. The non-operative approach for small type-1 gNENs seems to be feasible and should be promoted. A step-up approach with minimally invasive endoscopic therapies might be proposed, particularly for type-1 gNEN. On the other hand, it is important to recognize the negative prognostic factors in order to identify those rare cases requiring more aggressive approaches. A possible therapeutic algorithm for localized gNEN management is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cavalcoli
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Camilla Gallo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy; (C.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Andrea Coltro
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy; (C.G.)
| | - Emanuele Rausa
- Unit of Hereditary Digestive Tract Tumours, Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paolo Cantù
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy; (C.G.)
| | - Sara Massironi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy; (C.G.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), San Gerardo Hospital, ASST Monza, 20900 Monza, Italy
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3
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Ishida T, Ikeya S, Suzuki Y, Yoshida H, Asano S, Tominaga T. Efficacy of selective transarterial chemoembolization for recurred liver metastases from intracranial meningioma: A case report. Radiol Case Rep 2023; 18:3076-3079. [PMID: 37434615 PMCID: PMC10331007 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracranial metastases from intracranial meningioma involve multiple organs with repeatedly recurrence. Due to the rarity of these metastases, management remains to be established, especially in cases that are not amenable to surgery, such as postsurgical relapse and multiple metastases. We present the case of a right tentorial meningioma with multiple extracranial metastases, including postsurgical recurrent liver metastases. The intracranial meningioma was surgically resected when the patient was 53 years of age. The patient was 66 years of age when the hepatic lesion was first revealed, for which an extended right posterior sectionectomy was performed. Histopathology demonstrated a metastatic meningioma. Twelve months after liver resection, multiple local recurrences in the right hepatic lobe were revealed. Because additional surgical resection would put the patient at risk of declining residual liver function, we performed selective transarterial chemoembolization, resulting in a reduction in size and good control without relapse. Selective transarterial chemoembolization for incurable liver metastatic meningiomas could be valuable in palliating patients unsuitable for surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohisa Ishida
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwaki City Medical Center, 16 Kusehara, Uchigo Mimaya-cho, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, 973-8402, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 989-8574, Japan
| | - Shinichi Ikeya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Iwaki City Medical Center, 16 Kusehara, Uchigo Mimaya-cho, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, 973-8402, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Suzuki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iwaki City Medical Center, 16 Kusehara, Uchigo Mimaya-cho, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, 973-8402, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yoshida
- Department of Surgery, Iwaki City Medical Center, 16 Kusehara, Uchigo Mimaya-cho, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, 973-8402, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Asano
- Department of Pathology, Iwaki City Medical Center, 16 Kusehara, Uchigo Mimaya-cho, Iwaki-shi, Fukushima, 973-8402, Japan
| | - Teiji Tominaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 989-8574, Japan
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4
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Clift AK, Thomas R, Frilling A. Developments in interventional management of hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 37:101798. [PMID: 37468404 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumours commonly metastasise to the liver, particularly those arising from the intestinal tract and pancreas. Whilst surgery offers the only approach with intent to cure, the vast majority of patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases are ineligible. Liver-directed interventional therapies seek to exploit the patho-anatomy of the blood supply of hepatic metastases to deliver therapy to liver deposits. This may involve percutaneous ablation, bland embolization, or the selective infusion of chemotherapeutics, targeted agents or radiolabelled embolic material. Retrospective case series evidence has characterised objective response rates, disease control rates, and longer-term outcomes associated with each approach. Recent advances in this field include ongoing comparative trials of different techniques, but more importantly, combinations of interventional liver-directed therapies and other systemic therapy in multimodal treatment concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Kieran Clift
- Cancer Research UK Oxford Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Robert Thomas
- Department of Imaging, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrea Frilling
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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5
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Torbenson M, Venkatesh SK, Halfdanarson TR, Navin PJ, Kamath P, Erickson LA. Primary neuroendocrine tumors and primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the liver: a proposal for a multidiscipline definition. Hum Pathol 2023; 132:77-88. [PMID: 35809684 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors and primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and pose challenges for both diagnosis and for determining whether the tumor is primary to the liver versus metastatic disease. The lack of a uniform definition for primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms is also a limitation to understanding and treating these rare tumors. Recently, there have been significant histological advances in the diagnosis and classification of neuroendocrine tumors in general, as well as significant advances in imaging for neuroendocrine neoplasms, all of which are important for their treatment. This article presents a multiple disciplinary definition and proposed guidelines for diagnosing a neuroendocrine tumor/neuroendocrine carcinomas as being primary to the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Torbenson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55906, USA.
| | | | | | - Patrick J Navin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55906, USA
| | - Patrick Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55906, USA
| | - Lori A Erickson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN, 55906, USA
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Bibok A, Kis B, Frakes J, Hoffe S, Zhang J, Jain R, Parikh N. Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Liver-Dominant Metastatic Prostate Cancer: A Case Series. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2022; 33:1061-1065. [PMID: 36049841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 glass microspheres is widely used to treat primary and secondary malignancies in the liver. However, the safety and efficacy of TARE in patients with liver-dominant metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is unknown. A proof-of-concept, retrospective analysis of 7 consecutive patients with liver-dominant mCRPC who were treated with TARE was performed. The median overall survival was 27.2, 32.1, and 108.1 months from the time of TARE, the diagnosis of liver metastases, and initial cancer diagnosis, respectively. The median liver progression-free survival was 7.3 months. No grade 3 or higher adverse effects were noted. TARE was found to be a safe and effective tool for treating patients with liver-dominant mCRPC in this limited cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Bibok
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida; Medical Imaging Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Bela Kis
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jessica Frakes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Sarah Hoffe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jingsong Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Rohit Jain
- Department of Medical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Nainesh Parikh
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
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7
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Mogl MT, Öllinger R, Jann H, Gebauer B, Fehrenbach U, Amthauer H, Wetz C, Schmelzle M, Raschzok N, Krenzien F, Goretzki PE, Pratschke J, Schoening W. Differenzierte Therapiestrategie bei Lebermetastasen gastro-entero-pankreatischer Neuroendokriner Neoplasien. Zentralbl Chir 2022; 147:270-280. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-8442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungNeuroendokrine Neoplasien (NEN) bilden eine heterogene Gruppe maligner Tumoren, die überwiegend dem gastro-entero-pankreatischen System (GEP) zuzuordnen sind. Hierbei sind Dünndarm und
Pankreas die häufigsten Organe für Primärtumoren, die Leber stellt den dominanten Metastasierungsort dar. Da viele Patient*innen lange asymptomatisch bleiben, führen oftmals zufällig
diagnostizierte Lebermetastasen oder ein Ileus zur Diagnose. Die einzige kurative Therapieoption stellt die komplette Entfernung von Primarius und Metastasen dar. Besonders im Falle der
metastasierten Erkrankung sollten die vorhandenen Therapieoptionen immer im interdisziplinären Tumorboard mit Spezialisten*innen aus Gastroenterologie, (Leber-)Chirurgie, Radiologie,
Nuklearmedizin, Radiotherapie, Pathologie und Endokrinologie evaluiert werden. Durch die Kombination der verschiedenen Therapieverfahren kann auch für Patient*innen mit fortgeschrittener
Erkrankung eine jahrelange Prognose bei guter Lebensqualität erreicht werden. Wichtig für die Therapieentscheidung sind neben patientenindividuellen Faktoren der Differenzierungsgrad des
Tumors, dessen hormonelle Sekretion, das Metastasierungsmuster und der Erkrankungsverlauf. Die Behandlung von Lebermetastasen umfasst neben den unterschiedlichen chirurgischen Strategien die
lokal-ablativen radiologischen und nuklearmedizinischen Verfahren, die als Ergänzung zu den systemischen Therapien zur Verfügung stehen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina T. Mogl
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Robert Öllinger
- Europäisches Metastasenzentrum Charité, Charité Universitätsmedizin-Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Henning Jann
- Medizinische Klinik für Hepatologie und Gastroenterologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Bernhard Gebauer
- Klinik für Radiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Uli Fehrenbach
- Klinik für Radiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Holger Amthauer
- Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Wetz
- Klinik für Nuklearmedizin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Moritz Schmelzle
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Nathanael Raschzok
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Felix Krenzien
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Peter E. Goretzki
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Johann Pratschke
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Wenzel Schoening
- Chirurgische Klinik Campus Charité Mitte
- Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
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Lee L, Ramos-Alvarez I, Jensen RT. Predictive Factors for Resistant Disease with Medical/Radiologic/Liver-Directed Anti-Tumor Treatments in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Recent Advances and Controversies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051250. [PMID: 35267558 PMCID: PMC8909561 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor resistance, both primary and acquired, is leading to increased complexity in the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs, which would be greatly helped by reliable prognostic/predictive factors. The importance in identifying resistance is being contributed to by the increased array of possible treatments available for treating resistant advanced disease; the variable clinical course as well as response to any given treatment approach of patients within one staging or grading system, the advances in imaging which are providing increasing promising results/parameters that correlate with grading/outcome/resistance, the increased understanding of the molecular pathogenesis providing promising prognostic markers, all of which can contribute to selecting the best treatment to overcome resistance disease. Several factors have been identified that have prognostic/predictive value for identifying development resistant disease and affecting overall survival (OS)/PFS with various nonsurgical treatments of patients with advanced panNENs. Prognostic factors identified for patients with advanced panNENs for both OS/PFSs include various clinically-related factors (clinical, laboratory/biological markers, imaging, treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological, classification, grading) and molecular factors. Particularly important prognostic factors for the different treatment modalities studies are the recent grading systems. Most prognostic factors for each treatment modality for OS/PFS are not specific for a given treatment option. These advances have generated several controversies and new unanswered questions, particularly those related to their possible role in predicting the possible sequence of different anti-tumor treatments in patients with different presentations. Each of these areas is reviewed in this paper. Abstract Purpose: Recent advances in the diagnosis, management and nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs) have led to an emerging need for sensitive and useful prognostic factors for predicting responses/survival. Areas covered: The predictive value of a number of reported prognostic factors including clinically-related factors (clinical/laboratory/imaging/treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological/classification/grading), and molecular factors, on therapeutic outcomes of anti-tumor medical therapies with molecular targeting agents (everolimus/sunitinib/somatostatin analogues), chemotherapy, radiological therapy with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, or liver-directed therapies (embolization/chemoembolization/radio-embolization (SIRTs)) are reviewed. Recent findings in each of these areas, as well as remaining controversies and uncertainties, are discussed in detail, particularly from the viewpoint of treatment sequencing. Conclusions: The recent increase in the number of available therapeutic agents for the nonsurgical treatment of patients with advanced panNENs have raised the importance of prognostic factors predictive for therapeutic outcomes of each treatment option. The establishment of sensitive and useful prognostic markers will have a significant impact on optimal treatment selection, as well as in tailoring the therapeutic sequence, and for maximizing the survival benefit of each individual patient. In the paper, the progress in this area, as well as the controversies/uncertainties, are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingaku Lee
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- National Kyushu Cancer Center, Department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatology, Fukuoka 811-1395, Japan
| | - Irene Ramos-Alvarez
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
| | - Robert T. Jensen
- Digestive Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1804, USA; (L.L.); (I.R.-A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-496-4201
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