[F]FDG PET/CT-Avid Discordant Volume as a Biomarker in Patients with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Multicenter Study.

[F]FDG PET/CT and [Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT are both used to predict tumor biology in neuroendocrine neoplasms. Although the presence of discordant ([F]FDG-avid/non-[Ga]Ga-DOTATATE-avid) disease predicts poor prognosis, the significance of the volume of such discordant disease remains undetermined. The aim of this study is to investigate discordant tumor volume as a potential biomarker in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEPNENs).

Where Are We Now with Liver Transplantation in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms? The Place of Liver Transplantation for Grades 1 and 2 Well-Differentiated Unresectable Liver Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumours.

Purpose Of Review: This review outlines the role of liver transplantation in selected patients with unresectable neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases. It discusses the international consensus on eligibility criteria and outlines the efforts taking place in the UK and Ireland to develop effective national liver transplant programmes for neuroendocrine tumour patients.

Recent Findings: In the early history of liver transplantation, indications included cancer metastases to the liver as well as primaries of liver origin.

Dual [Ga]DOTATATE and [F]FDG PET/CT in patients with metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a multicentre validation of the NETPET score.

Background: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEPNENs) are heterogeneous in clinical course, biology, and outcomes. The NETPET score predicts survival by scoring uptake on dual [Ga]DOTATATE and [F]FDG PET/CT scans. We aimed to validate previous single-centre findings in a multicentre, international study.

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH): Prevalence, clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcome in a cohort of 311 patients with well-differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumours.

Introduction: Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is considered to be a rare condition associated with lung neuroendocrine tumours (NET), and its natural history is poorly described. We aimed to assess the prevalence and clinicopathologic characteristics of DIPNECH in the lung NET population, and to investigate predictors of time-to-progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS).

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with DIPNECH between April 2005 and December 2020.

The Role of Diet and Supplements in the Prevention and Progression of COVID-19: Current Knowledge and Open Issues.

A healthy diet and dietary supplements have gained attention as potential co-adjuvants in managing and preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper critically reviews the current evidence regarding the impact of diet and supplements on the prevention and progression of COVID-19. According to available data, a healthy diet and normal weight are considered protective factors.

What Causes Desmoplastic Reaction in Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms?

Purpose Of Review: Mesenteric desmoplasia in small intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (SINENs) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this paper, we discuss the development of desmoplasia in SINENs.

Recent Findings: The fibrotic reactions associated with these tumours could be limited to the loco-regional environment of the tumour and/or at distant sites.

The Combined Interpretation of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in Metastatic Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Classification System With Prognostic Impact.

Purpose: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP NEN) are widely heterogeneous in their biological behavior, and predicting prognosis and optimal treatment strategies can be challenging. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is a sensitive imaging modality for well-differentiated NEN and indicates a favorable prognosis, whereas 18F-FDG PET/CT avidity indicates disease that is potentially more aggressive. There has been emerging interest in the combined interpretation of 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET and its prognostic significance.

Lu-Dotatate plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-1): final overall survival and long-term safety results from an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: The primary analysis of the phase 3 NETTER-1 trial showed significant improvement in progression-free survival with Lu-Dotatate plus long-acting octreotide versus high-dose long-acting octreotide alone in patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumours. Here, we report the prespecified final analysis of overall survival and long-term safety results.

Methods: This open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial enrolled patients from 41 sites in eight countries across Europe and the USA.

Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer: The Role of 68Gallium-DOTA-Somatostatin Analogue PET/CT and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy.

Context: Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare malignancy with minimal treatment options. Many, but not all, MTCs express somatostatin receptors.

Objective: Our aim was to explore the role of 68Ga-DOTA-somatostatin analogue (SSA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in patients with metastatic MTC and to determine their eligibility for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

High-Grade Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and Improved Prognostic Stratification With the New World Health Organization 2019 Classification: A Validation Study From a Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: There is a pressing need to develop clinical management pathways for grade 3 (G3) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP NEN).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients with metastatic G3 GEP NEN. The relationship between baseline characteristics and progression-free survival and overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Lu-DOTATATE in older patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours: safety, efficacy and health-related quality of life.

Purpose: The safety and efficacy of Lu-DOTATATE in older patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are not well understood.

Methods: Patients ≥70 years of age and treated with Lu-DOTATATE were included. Toxicity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), objective response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed.

Symptom Diaries of Patients with Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors Treated with Lu-DOTATATE.

We report the impact of Lu DOTATATE treatment on abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flushing, symptoms that patients with advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) often find burdensome. All patients enrolled in the international randomized phase 3 Neuroendocrine Tumors Therapy (NETTER-1) trial (Lu-DOTATATE plus standard-dose octreotide long-acting repeatable [LAR], = 117; high-dose octreotide LAR, = 114) were asked to record the occurrence of predefined symptoms in a daily diary. Change from baseline in symptom scores (mean number of days with a symptom) was analyzed using a mixed model for repeated measures.

Lanreotide autogel/depot in advanced enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: final results of the CLARINET open-label extension study.

Purpose: In the phase III CLARINET study (NCT00353496), lanreotide autogel/depot (lanreotide) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs placebo in patients with non-functioning intestinal or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The aim of CLARINET open-label extension (OLE) (NCT00842348) was to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of lanreotide in these patients.

Methods: Patients from the CLARINET study were eligible for the OLE if they had stable disease (irrespective of treatment group) or progressive disease (PD) (placebo-treated patients only).

Features of carcinoid heart disease identified by cardiac computed tomography.

Background: Carcinoid heart disease (HD) is a rare form of valvular heart disease, the features of which have not been fully described by cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: All patients with carcinoid HD that underwent cardiac CT, either preoperatively or for assessment of coronary arteries, between Apr-2006 and Dec-2019 at the Royal Free Hospital, UK, were reviewed.

Results: Of 32 patients with carcinoid HD, 29 (91%) had heart valve involvement.

Understanding the Treatment Algorithm of Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Single-Institution Retrospective Analysis Comparing Outcomes of Chemotherapy, Molecular Targeted Therapy, and Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in 255 Patients.

Background: The number of therapeutic options for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN) has increased, but the optimal therapeutic algorithm has not been defined due to lack of randomised trials comparing different modalities.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study in patients with metastatic PNEN treated with ≥1 line of systemic therapy. The relationship between baseline characteristics, treatment type, and time to treatment failure (TTF), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Prognostic value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Accessible prognostic tools are needed to individualize treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Data suggest neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLRs) have prognostic value in some solid tumors, including NETs. In the randomized double-blind CLARINET study (NCT00353496; EudraCT 2005-004904-35), the somatostatin analog lanreotide autogel/depot increased progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo in patients with inoperable or metastatic intestinal and pancreatic NETs (grades 1-2, Ki-67 < 10%).

The impact of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT imaging on management of patients with paragangliomas.

Objective: Paragangliomas are rare tumours of neural crest origin that express high levels of somatostatin receptor. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT is a widely accepted method for imaging of neuroendocrine tumours. This study was performed to review a Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT patient database and to establish the impact of the modality on patient treatment.

Diagnostic and Management Challenges in Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Secreting Tumors: A Series of 15 Patients.

Objectives: Vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) are rare functioning neuroendocrine tumors often characterized by a difficult-to-control secretory syndrome and high potential to develop metastases. We hereby present the characteristics of 15 cases of VIPomas and provide a recent literature review.

Methods: This was a retrospective data analysis of 15 patients with VIPoma from 3 different centers and literature research through PubMed database during the last 10 years.

Long-Term Safety Experience with Telotristat Ethyl Across Five Clinical Studies in Patients with Carcinoid Syndrome.

Background: Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and carcinoid syndrome experience considerable morbidity and mortality; carcinoid syndrome may be associated with shorter survival. Carcinoid syndrome is linked to tumoral secretion of serotonin and other bioactive substances. The subsequent debilitating diarrhea and urgency to defecate pose significant health risks.

Tumor growth rate as a metric of progression, response, and prognosis in pancreatic and intestinal neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Lanreotide depot/autogel antitumor activity in intestinal/pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) was demonstrated in the phase-3 CLARINET study (NCT00353496), based on significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo.

Methods: During CLARINET, patients with metastatic intestinal/pancreatic NETs received lanreotide depot/autogel 120 mg or placebo every 4 weeks for 96 weeks. Imaging data (response evaluation criteria in solid tumors [RECIST] v1.

Unmet Medical Needs in Pulmonary Neuroendocrine (Carcinoid) Neoplasms.

Pulmonary carcinoids (PCs) display the common features of all well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) and are classified as low- and intermediate-grade malignant tumours (i.e., typical and atypical carcinoid, respectively).

Carcinoid Heart Disease: A Review.

Carcinoid heart disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with carcinoid syndrome and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. Screening of all patients with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and transthoracic echocardiography is critical for early detection, as early symptoms and signs have low sensitivity for the disease. Cardiac surgery, in appropriate cases, is the only definitive therapy for advanced carcinoid heart disease, and it improves patient symptoms and survival.

Changes in Weight Associated With Telotristat Ethyl in the Treatment of Carcinoid Syndrome.

Purpose: In the placebo-controlled Phase III TELESTAR (Telotristat Etiprate for Somatostatin Analogue Not Adequately Controlled Carcinoid Syndrome) trial, the oral tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor telotristat ethyl significantly reduced bowel movement (BM) frequency during a 12-week, double-blind treatment period in 135 patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors with carcinoid syndrome and ≥4 BMs per day. Patients (mean [SD] age, 63.5 [8.