Dr. Reidy-Lagunes on Sequencing Therapies for Patients With NETs

Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses sequencing various treatments for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

There are currently no trials aimed at determining optimal sequence of therapies, Reidy-Lagunes explains. To stay parallel with NCCN guidelines, she often chooses somatostatin analogs as a first-line treatment for patients. This is because this type of therapy is said to be well-tolerated with a significant disease-control rate.

An additional option includes everolimus (Afinitor) for patients with pancreatic, lung, and gastrointestinal NETs as a second-line therapy. For pancreatic NETs specifically, sunitinib (Sutent) and cytotoxic therapies are also available. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a potential treatment for patients with midgut NETs, though researchers are unsure where that would fit in the treatment course, Reidy-Lagunes says.