Medicina Molecular e Genética

Updates in Neuroendocrine Tumor Genomic Studies and Systemic Therapies

Abstract

Xuemei Ye and Darren Sigal

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are a mysterious group of malignancies that can form throughout the diffuse neuroendocrine system and produce biological effects distant from their primary location. They have an increasing incidence and can also behave more aggressively than previously recognized. These heterogeneous features have interfered with a more fundamental understanding of tumor biology. Over the past several years, systematic genetic surveys NETs from the major sites of origin have revealed important genomic changes, with potential driver mutations, that have an impact on prognosis and clinical development of targeted therapies. We will take a focused approach in reviewing this data and its impact on clinical medicine.