Pommier, Rodney F.

Abstract Patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and carcinoid syndrome experience diarrhea that can have a debilitating effect on quality of life. Diarrhea also may develop in response to other hormonal syndromes associated with NETs, surgical complications, medical comorbidities, medications, or food sensitivities. Limited guidance on the practical approach to the differential diagnosis of diarrhea in these patients can lead to delays in appropriate treatment. This clinical review and commentary underscore the complexity in identifying the etiology of diarrhea in patients with NETs. Based on our collective experience and expertise, we offer a practical algorithm to guide medical oncologists and other care providers to expedite effective management of diarrhea and related symptoms in patients with NETs.

AbstractThis article is the result of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society consensus conference on the medical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from July 19 to 20, 2018. The guidelines panel consisted of medical oncologists, pathologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and radiologists. The panel reviewed a series of questions regarding the medical management of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors as well as questions regarding surveillance after resection. The available literature was reviewed for each of the question and panel members voted on controversial topics, and the recommendations were included in a document circulated to all panel members for a final approval.

Abstract This manuscript is the result of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society consensus conference on the surgical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors from July 19 to 20, 2018. The group reviewed a series of questions of specific interest to surgeons taking care of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and for each, the available literature was reviewed. What follows are these reviews for each question followed by recommendations of the panel.

224 Background: In the phase 3 RADIANT-3 trial, everolimus (EVE) demonstrated significantly improved median progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo (PBO) (11.0 vs 4.6 months; HR=0.35, p < 0.0001) in patients (pts) with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) (Yao et al, NEJM, 2011). Here we present a planned exploratory analysis by prior chemotherapy (chemo) use. Methods: Pts with progressive low- or intermediate-grade pNET were prospectively stratified by prior chemo use and randomized (1:1) to EVE 10 mg/d (n = 207) or PBO (n = 203) plus best supportive care. Results: Of the 410 pts, 206 (50%) had received prior chemo and 204 (50%) were chemo naive. Baseline characteristics (age, sex, race, tumor type, histologic grade) and baseline tumor biomarker levels were similar for pts with/without prior chemo. More chemo-naive pts were newly diagnosed (time since initial diagnosis ≤ 6 mo: 50 [25%] vs. 7 [3%] pts with prior chemo). A lower proportion of chemo-naive pts received prior somatostatin therapy (45% vs. 54% prior chemo). EVE significantly prolonged median PFS regardless of prior chemo use (with prior chemo: 11.0 vs. 3.2 months; HR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.49, p < 0.001; chemo naive: 11.4 vs. 5.4 months; HR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.29-0.60; p < 0.001). Stable disease was the best overall response in 73% of EVE-treated pts irrespective of prior chemo use. The benefit from EVE irrespective of prior chemo was further demonstrated by disease stabilization or minor tumor shrinkage and in the lower incidence of progressive disease in waterfall plots. Safety of EVE was consistent regardless of prior chemo use. The most common drug-related adverse events (chemo vs chemo naive) included rash (53% vs. 52%), stomatitis (52% vs. 56%), diarrhea (41% vs. 52%), and fatigue (37% vs. 51%). Conclusions: This planned subgroup analysis demonstrated the beneficial effects of EVE in pts with pNET regardless of prior chemo use. These findings support the possible first-line use of EVE for pts with pNET.

PURPOSE: Subcutaneous (SC) octreotide acetate effectively relieves the diarrhea and flushing associated with carcinoid syndrome but requires long-term multiple injections daily. A microencapsulated long-acting formulation (LAR) of octreotide acetate has been developed for once-monthly intramuscular dosing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized trial compared double-blinded octreotide LAR at 10, 20, and 30 mg every 4 weeks with open-label SC octreotide every 8 hours for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome. Seventy-nine patients controlled with treatment of SC octreotide 0.3 to 0.9 mg/d whose symptoms returned during a washout period and who returned for at least the week 20 evaluation constituted the efficacy-assessable population. RESULTS: Complete or partial treatment success was comparable in each of the four arms of the study (SC, 58.3%; 10 mg, 66.7%; 20 mg, 71.4%; 30 mg, 61.9%; P ≥ .72 for all pairwise comparisons). Control of stool frequency was similar in all treatment groups. Flushing episodes were best controlled in the 20-mg LAR and SC groups; the 10-mg LAR treatment was least effective in the control of flushing. Treatment was well tolerated by patients in all four groups. CONCLUSION: Once octreotide steady-state concentrations are achieved, octreotide LAR controls the symptoms of carcinoid syndrome at least as well as SC octreotide. A starting dose of 20 mg of octreotide LAR is recommended. Supplemental SC octreotide is needed for approximately 2 weeks after initiation of octreotide LAR treatment. Occasional rescue SC injections may be required for possibly 2 to 3 months until steady-state octreotide levels from the LAR formulation are achieved.

Purpose Everolimus improved median progression-free survival by 6.4 months in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) compared with placebo in the RADIANT-3 study. Here, we present the final overall survival (OS) data and data on the impact of biomarkers on OS from the RADIANT-3 study. Methods Patients with advanced, progressive, low- or intermediate-grade pancreatic NET were randomly assigned to everolimus 10 mg/day (n = 207) or placebo (n = 203). Crossover from placebo to open-label everolimus was allowed on disease progression. Ongoing patients were unblinded after final progression-free survival analysis and could transition to open-label everolimus at the investigator’s discretion (extension phase). OS analysis was performed using a stratified log-rank test in the intent-to-treat population. The baseline levels of chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, and multiple soluble angiogenic biomarkers were determined and their impact on OS was explored. Results Of 410 patients who were enrolled between July 2007 and March 2014, 225 received open-label everolimus, including 172 patients (85%) randomly assigned initially to the placebo arm. Median OS was 44.0 months (95% CI, 35.6 to 51.8 months) for those randomly assigned to everolimus and 37.7 months (95% CI, 29.1 to 45.8 months) for those randomly assigned to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.20; P = .30). Elevated baseline chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, placental growth factor, and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 levels were poor prognostic factors for OS. The most common adverse events included stomatitis, rash, and diarrhea. Conclusion Everolimus was associated with a median OS of 44 months in patients with advanced, progressive pancreatic NET, the longest OS reported in a phase III study for this population. Everolimus was associated with a survival benefit of 6.3 months, although this finding was not statistically significant. Crossover of patients likely confounded the OS results.