title: Molecular targeted therapies in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
abstract: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) are rare neoplasms that require a multidisciplinary approach for an optimal management. The traditional cytotoxic agents are of limited efficacy in the treatment of these tumors. A better understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize tumor growth has provided novel targets in cancer treatment. Several proteins have been implicated as having a crucial role in GEPNETs. Several proangiogenic molecules are overexpressed in GEPNETs including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, and related signaling pathway components such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. In this article we aim to review the recent development of the main molecules that target these proteins and have showed promising activity in the treatment of GEPNETs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. jacapdevila@vhebron.net
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Capdevila
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salazar
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015398:Signal Transduction; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt