Promising Findings for PFS in Phase 3 Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors Trial

Each year approximately 12,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors that can develop anywhere endocrine cells are present.
These tumors are almost always cancerous except for 1% that do not spread or grow, while others are more aggressive.

About Endocrine Cells

Endocrine cells produce hormones that travel through the blood. The cells help regulate various body functions such as reproduction, growth and metabolism.
According to various studies, treatment options are limited for patients with advanced tumors.

Healio interviewed Dr. Daniel Halperin for background information.
Dr. Halperin explained that neuroendocrine tumors are usually located in the small intestines, lungs or pancreas.  The doctor said that symptoms are usually separated into two categories. The first category is hormonal neuroendocrine symptoms that involve gastric ulcers, diarrhea, or blood sugar that does not respond well to treatment. The second category is the mechanical neuroendocrine group involving pain in a certain location or a small bowel obstruction.

Risk Reduction with Cabozantinib

Researchers report a reduction in the risk of death or disease progression with the drug cabozantinib versus placebo to treat neuroendocrine tumors in the advance stage. The safety profile for cabozantinib was consistent with previous reports.
A Phase III study that illustrated PFS results was presented at the recent ESMO Congress.

Dr. Halpern said that there are numerous options for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and mentioned surgery as a useful option. Systemic treatments such as hormone therapy and chemotherapy can target the cancer at various locations in the body. The doctor explained that the newest option that was FDA approved in 2018, is a type of radiation named peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. He said that most neuroendocrine tumors possess specific receptors. Instead of treating the patient directly the doctors can drag the radiation to the cancer, bind to it, and not expose the entire body.

Results of one study found that neuroendocrine tumors were reduced by 80% using this option. Dr. Halpern emphasized that there is no typical therapy for neuroendocrine tumors and each care team must decide on an individual basis.

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Last modified: November 12, 2024