Molecular biology of neuroendocrine tumors: From pathways to biomarkers and targets

J. Capdevila, A. Meeker, R. García-Carbonero, K. Pietras, A. Astudillo, O. Casanovas, A. Scarpa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a heterogeneous group of diseases with varied natural history and prognosis depending upon the organ of origin and grade of aggressiveness. The most widely used biomarker to determine disease burden and monitor response to treatment is chromogranin A (CgA), but it is far from being the optimal predictive and prognostic biomarker in NETs. Biological understanding and derived treatment options for NETs have changed markedly in recent years. Over the last decade, the genomic landscape of these tumors has been extensively investigated. This has resulted in the discovery of mutations and expression anomalies in genes and pathways such as the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, DAXX/ATRX, and MEN1, which are promising predictive and prognostic biomarkers and future candidates for targeted therapies. Additionally, the study of tumor stroma and environment are one of the most promising fields for discovery of potential new targets and biomarkers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)345-351
Number of pages7
JournalCancer and Metastasis Reviews
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2014

Keywords

  • Biomarker
  • Chromogranin A
  • Neuroendocrine tumors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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