Genetics and Epigenetics of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and Pulmonary Carcinoids

Koen M A Dreijerink, Jules L Derks, Ivana Cataldo, Aldo Scarpa, GD Valk, Ernst-Jan M Speel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this chapter, we give an overview of the genetic and epigenetic background of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), in particular pancreatic and pulmonary NETs. Studying the mechanism of disease of the inherited syndromes that feature NETs has provided valuable insights that have revolutionized the therapeutic options for these tumor types: both inhibition of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling and inhibition of angiogenesis have become standard treatments. Although sporadic NETs harbor relatively few somatic gene mutations, these somatic mutations often affect genes that encode epigenetic regulators. Restoring the aberrant epigenetic characteristics may be an attractive approach for future treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)115-38
Number of pages24
JournalFrontiers of hormone research
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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