Cytotoxic chemotherapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Advanced neuroendocrine tumors are incurable, and most patients will succumb to the disease. Chemotherapies with cytotoxic agents such as streptozocin, 5-fluorouracil, or temozolomide have been frequently used as drug therapies for neuroendocrine tumors. Streptozocin, which is the only approved cytotoxic agent available for the treatment of this disease in many countries, has been considered a key agent for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine tumors based on the results of phase III studies. However, the widespread acceptance of streptozocin-based chemotherapy for this indication has been limited by concerns regarding toxicity. Recent prospective and retrospective studies showed the promising activity of a temozolomide-based regimen, although an adequate prospective controlled study defining the role of temozolomide in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors is lacking. The promising activity of cytotoxic agents awaits confirmation; solid evidence-based recommendations and treatment decisions are needed for the optimal use of chemotherapy against this disease.
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan. tokusaka@ncc.go.jp.
Takuji
T
Okusaka
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Hideki
H
Ueno
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Chigusa
C
Morizane
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Shunsuke
S
Kondo
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
Yasunari
Y
Sakamoto
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Hideaki
H
Takahashi
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Izumi
I
Ohno
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Shimizu
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Shuichi
S
Mitsunaga
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Masafumi
M
Ikeda
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077204:Temozolomide
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D013311:Streptozocin; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide
Chemotherapy; Fluoropyrimidine; Neuroendocrine tumor; Streptozocin; Temozolomide