Muhammad Wasif Saif, Kostas N Syrigos, Anastasios Dimou
Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (pNETs) are classified on the basis of their differentiation as well as the functionalstatus. Current treatment options for non resectable disease include everolimus, sunitinib, somatostatin analogs andchemotherapy. A number of trials with novel compounds and drug combinations were reported at the recent ASCO AnnualMeeting. Pasireotide is a novel somatostatin analog with broader affinity for the somatostatin receptors compared to thetraditional octreotide and lantreotide and it appears to be safe in patients with pNETs according to a phase I study (Abstract#e15126). The combination of octreotide with everolimus showed promising response rate and progression free survival ina phase II study (Abstract #4136). In another phase II study, the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 was well tolerated with moderateefficacy (Abstract #e15133). Last but not least, we discuss the updated data from a phase II study that used the combinationof temsirolimus with bevacizumab in patients with advanced pNETs (Abstract #4032).
