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Stumpo S, Formelli MG, Persano I, Parlagreco E, Lauricella E, Rodriquenz MG, Guerrera LP, Zurlo IV, Campana D, Brizzi MP, Cives M, La Salvia A, Lamberti G. Extrapulmonary Neuroendocrine Carcinomas: Current Management and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7715. [PMID: 38137784 PMCID: PMC10743506 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are poorly differentiated and highly aggressive epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms. The most common primary site is the lung, but they may arise in every organ. Approximately 37% of extrapulmonary NECs (EP-NECs) occur in the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tract, followed by the genitourinary (GU) system and gynecological tract. As a result of their rarity, there is scant evidence to guide treatment recommendations, and a multidisciplinary approach is essential for the management of such patients. Platinum-based chemotherapy currently represents the standard of care for EP-NECs of any site, mirroring the management of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), but further approaches are still under investigation. Indeed, ongoing trials evaluating targeted therapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and radionuclide therapy could provide potentially breakthrough therapeutic options. Given the relative dearth of evidence-based literature on these orphan diseases, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the pathology and current treatment options, as well as to shed light on the most pressing unmet needs in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Stumpo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.F.); (D.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Maria Giovanna Formelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.F.); (D.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Irene Persano
- Medical Oncology, AO S. Croce e Carle, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (I.P.); (E.P.)
| | - Elena Parlagreco
- Medical Oncology, AO S. Croce e Carle, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (I.P.); (E.P.)
| | - Eleonora Lauricella
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (E.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Grazia Rodriquenz
- Oncology Unit, Ospedale IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy;
| | - Luigi Pio Guerrera
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Sarcomas and Rare Tumors Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS-Fondazione “G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Davide Campana
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.F.); (D.C.); (G.L.)
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Brizzi
- Department of Oncology, A.O.U. San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Italy;
| | - Mauro Cives
- Medical Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (E.L.); (M.C.)
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Anna La Salvia
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (S.S.); (M.G.F.); (D.C.); (G.L.)
- Medical Oncology Unit, Vito Fazzi Hospital, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
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