Overview of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

A neuroendocrine tumor is a kind of tumor that begins in the hormone producing cells of the neuroendocrine system that is made up of the endocrine system and nervous system. Hormones producing neuroendocrine cells have a structure similar to neurons and produce hormones like endocrine cells. These cells are found throughout the body in organs such as intestines, kidneys, lungs and stomach and perform functions such as controlling the speed of food through gastrointestinal tract and air and blood flow through the lungs. Neuroendocrine tumor is a rare malignant disorder that accounts for nearly one percent of all malignant disorders. Neuroendocrine carcinomas account for nearly 60% of all neuroendocrine tumor cases and are characterized as their origin in different locations throughout the body including lungs, gastrointestinal tract and brain. Some common symptoms associated with neuroendocrine carcinoma are hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, headache, anxiety, gastric ulcer, unusual bleeding, jaundice, diarrhea, fever and persistent in specific area.

The treatment options for neuroendocrine carcinoma include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancerous cells by inhibiting the cells ability to grow and divide. Streptozocin (Zanosar) and 5-fluorouracil (Adrucil, 5-FU) are some drugs that are used to treat neuroendocrine carcinomas.

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Everolimus (Afinitor) and sunitinib (Sutent) are two major targeted drugs that are being used for treating neuroendocrine carcinomas. Afinitor was introduced by Novartis AG in 2009 for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. This drug is useful when sunitinib or sorafenib fail to treat the renal cell carcinoma. Sutent is a brand developed by Pfizer Ltd.  and is used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., BioSynthema, Inc., Genentech Inc. and Callisto Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. are some major companies that are striving to develop drugs for treating various neuroendocrine carcinomas. Avastin, Atiprimod and Lutathera are among other molecules that are currently being studied for their therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of neuroendocrine carcinomas.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), approximately 12,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year. In addition, according to U.S. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Register, the occurrence of GI neuroendocrine carcinoma has increased 300%-500%, compared to 35 years prior to 2016, thereby providing a lucrative growth platform in near future.

According to the National Health Service in 2015, approximately 8,000 people are diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor in the U.K. every year and this number is expected to increase over the forecast period.

A 62 year old woman presented with a two-week history of nausea, emesis, diarrhea, and malaise.  On physical exam a pelvic mass was palpated.  Laboratory evaluation revealed an elevated white blood cell count (24.28 K/uL) and CA-125 (176.8 units/mL).  A CT scan demonstrated a 12 cm complex pelvic mass.  A pelvic abscess versus neoplasm was suspected.  Her leukocytosis resolved with antibiotics, but the mass persisted.  She underwent an exploratory laparotomy.  She was noted to have a mass adherent to the rectosigmoid colon and the left adnexa.  Intraoperative pathologic examination was consistent with a poorly differentiated carcinoma.  A hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, including resection of pelvic mass, lymphadenectomy and omentectomy was performed.  The patient recovered appropriately postoperatively. 

Below are the top companies working in this research are Novartis AG, Amgen Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Dauntless Pharmaceuticals, Hutchison MediPharma Limited, AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Chiasma Inc., Aegis Therapeutics, Ispen, Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarveda Therapeutics, Pfizer, Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd.(Jubilant DraxImage), AbbVie Inc., Delcath Systems Inc., Exelixis, Inc., and others. Novartis has the highest number of ongoing clinical trials followed by Ipsen and Pfizer.

References:

http://tlcr.amegroups.com/article/view/15685/12889

https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/neuroendocrine-carcinoma-market