Biomarkers in Neuroendocrine Tumors

  • Marvin Duque Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA
  • Irvin M Modlin Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine. New Haven, CT, USA
  • Anumeha Gupta Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA
  • Muhammad Wasif Saif Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA
Keywords: Biological Markers, Chromogranin A, Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E, Genetic Markers, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Receptor, IGF Type 1, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors with cells of neuroendocrine differentiation that arise from diverse anatomic sites with varying morphologic and clinical features. Since the natural history and prognosis varies widely between individual neuroendocrine tumor types, there is a critical need to identify accurate prognostic and predictive biomarkers and markers predictive of therapeutic efficacy. To date, plasma chromogranin-A levels have generally been accepted as the most useful biomarker, despite the fact that there are substantial concerns in sensitivity and discrepancies in measurement techniques. As a consequence, considerable attention has been focused upon the development of novel biomarkers that can be utilized with more clinical efficacy than chromogranin-A. In addition to amplifying the diagnostic/prognostic landscape, the need to calibrate the efficacy of biological targeted therapy has further accelerated the development of molecular biomarkers. At the 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chou et al. (Abstract #e15151) presented data that chromogranin A levels can be monitored during treatment to predict clinical outcome. Modlin et al. (Abstract #4137), demonstrated a promising novel biomarker, serum multi-transcript molecular signature. Grande et al. (Abstract #4140), Heetfield et al. (Abstract #e15071) and Casanovas et al. (Abstract #4139) described sVEGFR2, p-mTOR and IGF1R as molecular markers with potential for use in targeted therapy trials. The authors review and summarize these abstracts in this article.

Image: Detail of pipeline used to derive a set of 51 markers that identify GEP-NETs.

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Author Biographies

Marvin Duque, Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA
Clinical Associate, Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of MedicineFellow, Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Medical Center
Irvin M Modlin, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine. New Haven, CT, USA

Emeritus Professor of Gastroenterological Surgery

Yale University, School of Medicine

Anumeha Gupta, Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA

Clinical Associate, Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine

Fellow, Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Medical Center

Muhammad Wasif Saif, Division of Hematology Oncology, Tufts Cancer Center. Boston, MA, USA

Director, GI Oncology Program; Leader, Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts Cancer Center

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine

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Detail of pipeline used to derive a set of 51 markers that identify GEP-NETs
Published
2013-07-10
How to Cite
DuqueM., ModlinI., GuptaA., & SaifM. (2013). Biomarkers in Neuroendocrine Tumors. JOP. Journal of the Pancreas, 14(4), 372-376. https://doi.org/10.6092/1590-8577/1692
Section
Highlights from the “2013 ASCO Annual Meeting”. Chicago, IL, USA. May 31 - June 4, 2013