[Targeted therapies, prognostic and predictive factors in endocrine oncology]

Abstract

A better understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for tumorigenesis has allowed the development of targeted drugs designed to improve the outcome of cancer. In endocrine tumors, several molecules have demonstrated efficacy in terms of progression free survival during phase III trials such as vandetanib and cabozantinib in medullary thyroid carcinoma, sorafenib in differentiated thyroid carcinoma and everolimus or sunitinib for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Rare cancer network has allowed ongoing phase III trials in malignant pheochromocytoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. However, to date no specific predictive biomarker has yet been identified for a personalized cancer medicine. We review recent advances in endocrine oncology concerning molecular targets identification, targeted therapies and predictive or prognostic markers.

Keywords: Adrenocortical carcinoma; Cancer thyroïdien; Corticosurrénalome; Facteur pronostique; Facteur prédictif; Malignant pheochromocytoma; Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor; Phéochromocytome malin; Predictive marker; Prognostic marker; Targeted therapy; Thyroid carcinoma; Thérapie ciblée; Tumeur neuroendocrine du pancréas.