Radioligand therapy (RLT) as neoadjuvant treatment for inoperable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a literature review

Endocrine. 2022 Nov;78(2):255-261. doi: 10.1007/s12020-022-03170-0. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

Abstract

In the last 10 years, several literature reports supported radioligand therapy (RLT) in neoadjuvant settings for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs). Indeed, primary tumor shrinkage has been frequently reported following RLT in unresectable or borderline resectable PanNETs. Moreover, RLT-induced intratumoral modifications facilitate surgery, both on primary tumor and metastasis, having a great impact on progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL). However, prospective controlled investigations are necessary to confirm preliminary data and to define the best RLT scheme and the ideal patient that, in a multidisciplinary approach, should be referred to neoadjuvant RLT.

Keywords: 177Lu; 90Y; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreatic Surgery; Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy; Radioligand Therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / radiotherapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life