Systemic Therapy for Tumor Control in Metastatic Well-Differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Published ahead of print September 29, 2023, DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.01529

Jaydira Del Rivero, Kimberly Perez, Erin B. Kennedy, Erik S. Mittra, Namrata Vijayvergia, Junaid Arshad, Sandip Basu, Aman Chauhan, Arvind N. Dasari, Andrew M. Bellizzi, Alexandra Gangi, Erin Grady, James R. Howe, Jana Ivanidze, Mark Lewis, Josh Mailman, Nitya Raj, Heloisa P. Soares, Michael C. Soulen, Sarah B. White, Jennifer A. Chan, Pamela L. Kunz, Simron Singh, Thorvardur R. Halfdanarson, Jonathan R. Strosberg, and Emily K. Bergsland

Purpose

To develop recommendations for systemic therapy for well-differentiated grade 1 (G1) to grade 3 (G3) metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs)

Methods

ASCO convened an Expert Panel to conduct a systematic review of relevant studies and develop recommendations for clinical practice.

Results

Eight randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review.

Recommendations

Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are recommended as first-line systemic therapy for most patients with G1-grade 2 (G2) metastatic well-differentiated GI-NETs. Observation is an option for patients with low-volume or slow-growing disease without symptoms. After progression on SSAs, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is recommended as systematic therapy for patients with somatostatin receptor (SSTR)–positive tumors. Everolimus is an alternative second-line therapy, particularly in nonfunctioning NETs and patients with SSTR-negative tumors. SSAs are standard first-line therapy for SSTR-positive pancreatic (pan)NETs. Rarely, observation may be appropriate for asymptomatic patients until progression. Second-line systemic options for panNETs include PRRT (for SSTR-positive tumors), cytotoxic chemotherapy, everolimus, or sunitinib. For SSTR-negative tumors, first-line therapy options are chemotherapy, everolimus, or sunitinib. There are insufficient data to recommend particular sequencing of therapies. Patients with G1-G2 high-volume disease, relatively high Ki-67 index, and/or symptoms related to tumor growth may benefit from early cytotoxic chemotherapy. For G3 GEP-NETs, systemic options for G1-G2 may be considered, although cytotoxic chemotherapy is likely the most effective option for patients with tumor-related symptoms, and SSAs are relatively ineffective. Qualifying statements are provided to assist with treatment choice. Multidisciplinary team management is recommended, along with shared decision making with patients, incorporating their values and preferences, potential benefits and harms, and other characteristics and circumstances, such as comorbidities, performance status, geographic location, and access to care.

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