scholarly journals Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Landscape and Horizon

2020 ◽  
Vol 144 (7) ◽  
pp. 816-828
Author(s):  
Laura H. Tang

Context.— Since the initial description of pancreatic endocrine physiology and the recognition of islet cell tumors in the 1800s, there have been noteworthy advances in the pathobiology of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs), and definition of the important distinction between well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (PanNET) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC). The evolving knowledge has resulted in a continuous update in terminology, classification, and grading system for this group of neoplasms. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors associated with hereditary conditions have been linked to unique molecular and genetic events, and sporadic PanNETs have specific gene signatures. Based on accumulative experience and knowledge, therapeutic strategies have been defined for this group of neoplasms. Objective.— To review the evolution and description of the pathologic-genomic evolution of PanNENs, and to facilitate accurate pathologic interpretation for the corresponding clinical management. Data Sources.— Literature review of published studies and author's own work. Conclusions.— Evolving experience and knowledge have established subtypes of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, based on their genotype and phenotype. Accurate pathologic interpretation of the specific neoplasm has significant implications for therapy and prognosis.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Konukiewitz ◽  
Moritz Jesinghaus ◽  
Atsuko Kasajima ◽  
Günter Klöppel

AbstractCommon to neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas is their expression of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and/or INSM1. They differ, however, in their histological differentiation and molecular profile. Three groups can be distinguished: well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (neuroendocrine tumors), poorly differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (neuroendocrine carcinomas), and mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms. However, the expression of synaptophysin and, to a lesser extent, also chromogranin A is not restricted to the neuroendocrine neoplasms, but may also be in a subset of non-neuroendocrine epithelial and non-epithelial neoplasms. This review provides the essential criteria for the diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms including diagnostic clues for the distinction of high-grade neuroendocrine tumors from neuroendocrine carcinomas and an algorithm avoiding diagnostic pitfalls in the delineation of non-neuroendocrine neoplasms with neuroendocrine features from pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 153 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey E McHugh ◽  
Sanjay Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Erika E Doxtader ◽  
Christopher Lanigan ◽  
Daniela S Allende

Abstract Objectives INSM1 has been described as a sensitive and specific neuroendocrine marker. This study aims to compare INSM1 with traditional neuroendocrine markers in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms. Methods Retrospective review (2008-2018) was used to retrieve paraffin-embedded tissue from 110 gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms and controls that was subsequently stained with INSM1, synaptophysin, chromogranin, CD56, and Ki-67. Results INSM1 was positive in 16 of 17 (94.1%) gastric, 17 of 18 (94.4%) pancreatic, 13 of 18 (72.2%) small bowel, 17 of 21 (81.0%) colonic, and 26 of 36 (72.2%) appendiceal tumors. INSM1 was positive in 58 of 70 (82.9%) well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, 17 of 20 (85.0%) poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, 8 of 11 (72.7%) low-grade goblet cell adenocarcinomas (grade 1), and 6 of 9 (66.7%) high-grade goblet cell adenocarcinomas (grade 2/3). INSM1 sensitivity for neuroendocrine neoplasms (80.9%) was less than that of synaptophysin (99.1%), chromogranin (88%), and CD56 (95.3%); specificity was higher (95.7% vs 86.0%, 87.3%, and 86.0%, respectively). Conclusions INSM1 is a useful marker of neuroendocrine differentiation in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine and mixed neuroendocrine neoplasms. Compared with traditional neuroendocrine markers, INSM1 is less sensitive but more specific.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S1-S16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Klöppel

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are composed of cells with a neuroendocrine phenotype. The old and the new WHO classifications distinguish between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated neoplasms. All well-differentiated neoplasms, regardless of whether they behave benignly or develop metastases, will be called neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), and graded G1 (Ki67 <2%) or G2 (Ki67 2–20%). All poorly differentiated neoplasms will be termed neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and graded G3 (Ki67 >20%). To stratify the GEP-NETs and GEP-NECs regarding their prognosis, they are now further classified according to TNM-stage systems that were recently proposed by the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) and the AJCC/UICC. In the light of these criteria the pathology and biology of the various NETs and NECs of the gastrointestinal tract (including the oesophagus) and the pancreas are reviewed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 431-439
Author(s):  
Kenzo Nakano ◽  
Toshihiko Masui ◽  
Akitada Yogo ◽  
Yuichiro Uchida ◽  
Asahi Sato ◽  
...  

Although pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) are generally indolent, patients with distant metastasis have a dismal prognosis. Recently, the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) has been shown to suppress the tumour growth of PanNENs, but the detailed mechanisms have not been elucidated. Furthermore, these results were obtained from poorly differentiated cell lines rather than well-differentiated cell lines, which is the most prevalent type in this tumour. To explore the mechanism and efficacy of CQ on PanNENs, we applied CQ to cell lines and evaluated the resulting apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. CQ treatment induced ER stress, and an unfolded protein response was activated through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway, resulting in the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which reflects ER-stress-mediated apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was effective in Men1 heterozygous-deficient (Men1+/ΔN3-8) mice, a mouse PanNEN model that is considered to correspond to human low-grade PanNEN. HCQ administration decreased tumour size in Men1+/ΔN3-8 mice. In the HCQ group, histological analyses revealed that proliferative activity was unchanged, but apoptosis was accelerated, accompanied by CHOP expression. These results suggest that autophagy inhibition by CQ/HCQ could be used for the treatment of PanNEN, including the well-differentiated type.


2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert T. Jensen ◽  
Lisa Bodei ◽  
Jaume Capdevila ◽  
Anne Couvelard ◽  
Massimo Falconi ◽  
...  

Recently, the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) held working sessions composed of members of the advisory board and other neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) experts to attempt to identify unmet needs in NENs in different locations or with advanced/poorly differentiated NENs. This report briefly summarizes the main proposed areas of unmet needs in patients with functional and nonfunctional pancreatic NENs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuko Kasajima ◽  
Björn Konukiewitz ◽  
Naomi Oka ◽  
Hiroyoshi Suzuki ◽  
Akira Sakurada ◽  
...  

The clinicopathological features of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) with a high proliferative index at the border area between atypical carcinoid and neuroendocrine carcinoma have not been investigated so far. The aim of this study was, therefore, to search for lung NENs which are well differentiated but show Ki67 values that overlap with those of poorly differentiated (PD)-NENs. Resected lung NENs from 244 Japanese patients were reviewed, and Ki67 indices were assessed in all tumors. The data were then correlated to clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Among 59 (24%) well-differentiated (WD)-NENs and 185 (76%) lung PD-NENs, 7 were defined as WD-NENs with Ki67 indices > 20%. The Ki67 indices of these tumors (mean 29%, range 24–36) were significantly lower than those of PD-NENs (mean 74%, range 34–99). All WD-NENs with Ki67 > 20% lacked abnormal p53 and loss of retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) expression. In contrast, many PD-NENs expressed p53 (48%) and showed loss of Rb1 (86%). The 2- and 5-year disease-free survival rates in WD-NEN patients with Ki67 > 20% were lower than those of WD-NEN patients with Ki67 ≤20% (p < 0.01 for disease-free and overall survival). No statistical differences were detected between outcome of WD-NEN patients with Ki67 > 20% and those of PD-NEN. It is concluded that WD-NEN patients with Ki67 > 20% share the morphological and immunohistochemical features of WD-NEN patients with Ki67 ≤20%, but they have a worse prognosis, suggesting that this tumor group requires particular attention in future classifications and probably new therapeutic regimes.


Pancreas ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-146
Author(s):  
Alessandra Pulvirenti ◽  
Nitya Raj ◽  
Sara Cingarlini ◽  
Antonio Pea ◽  
Laura H. Tang ◽  
...  

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