Current Understanding of the Molecular Biology of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

• Published in: JNCI : Journal of the National Cancer Institute Vol. 105; no. 14; pp. 1005 - 1017
• Main Authors: JIANLIANG ZHANG, FRANCOIS, Rony, IYER, Renuka, SESHADRI, Mukund, ZAJAC-KAYE, Maria, HOCHWALD, Steven N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cary, NC Oxford University Press 17-07-2013; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - drug effects; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing - metabolism; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Hypoxia; Cells; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p18 - metabolism; Disease Progression; Disease-Free Survival; Everolimus; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gene Knock-In Techniques; Gene Knockout Techniques; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Indoles - pharmacology; Islets of Langerhans - metabolism; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Molecular biology; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects); Mutation - drug effects; Neovascularization, Pathologic - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic - prevention & control; Neuroendocrine Tumors - genetics; Neuroendocrine Tumors - metabolism; Nuclear Proteins - drug effects; Nuclear Proteins - metabolism; Octreotide - pharmacology; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatic Neoplasms - genetics; Pancreatic Neoplasms - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - drug effects; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - metabolism; Pyrroles - pharmacology; Receptor, Notch1 - genetics; Review; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Sirolimus - analogs & derivatives; Sirolimus - pharmacology; Sunitinib; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - drug effects; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases - metabolism; Tumors; Human; Tumorigenicity; Malignant tumor; Carcinogenesis; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Cancerology; Mammalian target of rapamycin; Genetics; Digestive diseases; Molecular biology; Cancer; Pancreatic disease; Tumor suppressor gene
• ISSN: 0027-8874; 1460-2105
• DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djt135

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are complicated and often deadly neoplasms. A recent increased understanding of their molecular biology has contributed to expanded treatment options. DNA sequencing of samples derived from patients with PanNETs and rare genetic syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome reveals the involvement of MEN1, DAXX/ATRX, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in PanNET tumorigenesis. Gene knock-out/knock-in studies indicate that inactivation of factors including MEN1 and abnormal PI3K/mTOR signaling uncouples endocrine cell cycle progression from the control of environmental cues such as glucose, leading to islet cell overgrowth. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that further impairment of endothelial-endocrine cell interactions contributes to tumor invasion and metastasis. Recent phase III clinical trials have shown that therapeutic interventions, such as sunitinib and everolimus, targeting those signal transduction pathways improve disease-free survival rates. Yet, cure in the setting of advanced disease remains elusive. Further advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PanNETs and improved preclinical models will assist in developing personalized therapy utilizing novel drugs to provide prolonged control or even cure the disease.