Future Directions in the Biology of Neuroendocrine Tumors.
The neuroendocrine field is experiencing an ever-accelerating expansion of data about the makeup of these tumors whose biology has long been opaque. Genome sequencing and epigenetic data regarding copy number variations, methylation events, and expression profiling are increasingly available for small bowel and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. However, in addition to building larger and more robust genetic and epigenetic datasets, the remaining challenge is moving beyond the data toward meaningful information, knowledge, and wisdom. Herein, we will offer perspectives on the existing data and thoughts on future directions.
From the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Daniel M
DM
Halperin
Arvind
A
Dasari
James C
JC
Yao
D056915:DNA Copy Number Variations; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005544:Forecasting; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA