title: [Chemotherapy for GI and pancreatic NETs].
abstract: Neuroendocrine tumors(NETs)describe a heterogeneous group of tumors with a wide range of morphologic, functional, and behavioral characteristics. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(pNET)are a subset of NETs which are increasing in incidence and prevalence. These tumors are generally slow growing and behave in an indolent fashion. However, when these tumors spread they can be life threatening and difficult to treat with current modalities. Recently, the basic treatment for pNET was changed with the approval of two targeted agents, sunitinib and everolimus. Clinical trials conducting various combinations of somatostatin analogues, mTOR inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and cytotoxic agents are ongoing under-evaluation, and a multitargeted approach to therapy will translate into improved patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of GI oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doi
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*