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This Article Accepted manuscript (PDF) All Versions of this Article: ERC-07-0288v1 15/3/701    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Grozinsky-Glasberg, S. Articles by Grossman, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Grozinsky-Glasberg, S. Articles by Grossman, A.

S Grozinsky-Glasberg, Endocrine Institute, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel
I Shimon, Endocrine Institute, Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel
M Korbonits, Dept. of Endocrinology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
A Grossman, Dept. of Endocrinology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Correspondence: Simona Grozinsky-Glasberg, Email: s.grozinsky{at}qmul.ac.uk

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumours represent a heterogeneous family of neoplasms which may develop from different endocrine glands (such as the pituitary, parathyroid or the neuroendocrine adrenal glands), endocrine islets (within the thyroid or pancreas) as well as from endocrine cells dispersed between exocrine cells throughout the digestive or respiratory tracts. The development of somatostatin analogues as important diagnostic and treatment tools has revolutionised the clinical management of patients with neuroendocrine tumours. However, although symptomatic relief and stabilisation of tumour growth for various periods of time are observed in many patients treated with somatostatin analogues, tumour regression is rare. Possible mechanisms when this does occur include antagonism of local growth factor release and effects, probably including activation of tyrosine and serine-threonine phosphatases, and indirect effects via anti-angiogenesis. The development of new somatostatin analogues, new drug combination therapies and chimaeric molecules should further improve the clinical management of these patients, as should a more complete understanding of their mode of action.