Multiple treatments are currently available for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), yet many therapies have not been compared properly within randomized clinical trials (RCTs). To address this, researchers have conducted an extended comparison of all drugs used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. The findings of the study are published in the journal JAMA Oncology.
An increasing number of new anti-cancer drugs are made available each year. During the authorization process, such new drugs usually undergo comparisons to one, but only rarely to multiple established drugs. This practice leads to a lack of comparisons between therapies and makes it increasingly difficult for physicians to choose the best treatment for their patients.
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‘The growing number of new treatments constitutes an excellent opportunity to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, the few comparative studies carried out between these different pills creates a dilemma for physicians when it comes to finding the best option for each patient. Hence, the new study aims to guide doctors through all available treatment options for neuroendocrine tumors.’
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Neuroendocrine tumors can develop anywhere in the body from hormone-producing cells. Their prevalence is increasing, and new therapies are regularly beefing up therapeutic options.
"The growing number of new therapies constitutes a great opportunity, obviously. However, the fact that few comparative studies are carried out between these different drugs creates a dilemma for doctors when it comes to finding the best option for each patient," says Martin A. Walter, Professor at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and Head of the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Division at the HUG, who initiated and coordinated this study.
![Lutathera may Improve Quality of Life in Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors]( "Lutathera may Improve Quality of Life in Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors")
Lutathera, a newly approved drug, provides improved quality of life for midgut neuroendocrine tumor patients while enhancing progression-free survival. The drug consists of a somatostatin analog combined with a radioactive isotope that directly targets neuroendocrine tumor cells.
"Indeed, it is actually sufficient to establish the superiority of a new molecule over a single established drug, or even over a placebo, to obtain approval from the regulatory authorities, and enter the market."
"In such a situation, a network meta-analysis can be a valuable tool to generate indirect comparisons for therapies that have not yet been directly compared. They also make it possible to use all existing data to identify the most effective treatments," adds Dr. Reto Kaderli, Head of the Endocrine Surgery Department at Bern University Hospital and first author of the study.
Independent research are less taken into account
Swiss researchers collaborated with Cochrane, a global organization that aims to facilitate clinical decision-making through systematic reviews of health interventions, and with researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, where some of the key methodologies for the analysis of evidence-based medicine have been developed.
"One of the most striking results of our study is high, and often underestimated, the efficacy of combination therapies. And equally striking was that these combination therapies were underrepresented in international guidelines," says Dr. Kaderli. Indeed, studies combining drugs produced by different pharmaceutical companies are mainly conducted by independent researchers, and their results are less taken into account in treatment guidelines than studies conducted by the pharmaceutical industry.
Success of nuclear medicine
"As a specialist in nuclear medicine, however, I am delighted with the promising results of our radioactive therapeutics," says Professor Walter. Such a step still needs to be taken for surgical options, for which randomized controlled trials in combination with other therapies are still lacking. "Our work thus marks an important step in the search for the best therapeutic option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and highlights the need for independent, evidence-based medicine," conclude the authors.
Source: Eurekalert
Lutathera may Improve Quality of Life in Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumors
Lutathera, a newly approved drug, provides improved quality of life for midgut neuroendocrine tumor patients while enhancing progression-free survival. The drug consists of a somatostatin analog combined with a radioactive isotope that directly targets neuroendocrine tumor cells.
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"Indeed, it is actually sufficient to establish the superiority of a new molecule over a single established drug, or even over a placebo, to obtain approval from the regulatory authorities, and enter the market."
"In such a situation, a network meta-analysis can be a valuable tool to generate indirect comparisons for therapies that have not yet been directly compared. They also make it possible to use all existing data to identify the most effective treatments," adds Dr. Reto Kaderli, Head of the Endocrine Surgery Department at Bern University Hospital and first author of the study.
Independent research are less taken into account
Swiss researchers collaborated with Cochrane, a global organization that aims to facilitate clinical decision-making through systematic reviews of health interventions, and with researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, where some of the key methodologies for the analysis of evidence-based medicine have been developed.
"One of the most striking results of our study is high, and often underestimated, the efficacy of combination therapies. And equally striking was that these combination therapies were underrepresented in international guidelines," says Dr. Kaderli. Indeed, studies combining drugs produced by different pharmaceutical companies are mainly conducted by independent researchers, and their results are less taken into account in treatment guidelines than studies conducted by the pharmaceutical industry.
Success of nuclear medicine
"As a specialist in nuclear medicine, however, I am delighted with the promising results of our radioactive therapeutics," says Professor Walter. Such a step still needs to be taken for surgical options, for which randomized controlled trials in combination with other therapies are still lacking. "Our work thus marks an important step in the search for the best therapeutic option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and highlights the need for independent, evidence-based medicine," conclude the authors.
Source: Eurekalert
New Treatment for Advanced Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Developed
Long-lasting radionuclide therapy for advanced metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) appear to prove effective. The new therapy, Lu-DOTA-EB-TATE is a three-in-one therapeutic compound, with an octreotate peptide to find the tumor.
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 First Whole Exome Sequence of Small Intestine Neuroendocrine Tumors Completed by Mayo ClinicThe world's first whole exome sequence of small intestine neuroendocrine tumors has been completed by researchers at Mayo Clinic. | Advertisement
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