Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) constitute a group of tumors that derive from the sensory and secretory neuroendocrine cells of the diffuse endocrine system. There is an unmet need for accurate biomarkers that can be used for NEN diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up, therapy stratification, and evaluation of treatment response. The high diversity of neuroendocrine neoplasms requires the development of specific biomarkers for their identification, diagnosis, and management.
Examples of markers include:
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (pNET):
- Chromogranin A (CgA): Elevated levels of CgA are commonly observed in the blood of patients with pNETs. CgA serves as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
- Synaptophysin: Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin is frequently used to confirm the neuroendocrine nature of tumors, including pNETs, making it a crucial marker for identification.
Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor (GI-NET):
- Somatostatin Receptor (SSTR): The expression of somatostatin receptors, particularly SSTR2A, is a key feature of GI-NETs. Imaging with somatostatin analogs labeled with radionuclides helps in localization and staging.
- Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE): NSE is often elevated in the blood of patients with GI-NETs, serving as a biomarker for both diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response.
Bronchopulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumor (BP-NET):
- CD56 (Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule): CD56 is commonly expressed in BP-NETs and is used as an immunohistochemical marker for their identification.
- Progastrin-Releasing Peptide (ProGRP): ProGRP levels in the blood are elevated in patients with small cell lung cancer, including BP-NETs, and are utilized as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring.