Introduction

Rare tumours called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) develop in the pancreatic islet cells. Significant improvements in patient outcomes and a wider range of therapeutic choices have been made throughout time in the diagnosis and treatment of PNETs. The management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours has undergone a radical change as a result of some of the noteworthy advancements in the area, which are highlighted in this article.

Advances in Diagnosis

Planning an effective treatment strategy for PNETs requires an accurate and prompt diagnosis. Diagnostic methods have undergone notable advancements in recent years. The use of functional imaging techniques such as somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans using gallium-68 DOTATATE is one such development. These imaging methods enable the early detection and staging of the tumour by enabling the detection of PNETs with high sensitivity and specificity.

Treatment Options

The course of treatment for PNETs is determined by a number of variables, including the tumor's size, grade, stage, and existence of metastasis. The standard of care for localised tumours is still surgery. However, a multimodal treatment strategy is frequently required for advanced or metastatic PNETs. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a notable treatment option for the therapy of PNETs.

The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of advanced PNETs has shown to be highly effective. Sunitinib is one such TKI that has had encouraging outcomes. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), which are implicated in angiogenesis and tumour progression, are just two of the receptor tyrosine kinases that sunitinib suppresses. Sutent 12.5mg Capsule, containing the active ingredient sunitinib, inhibits tumor growth and shrinks tumors by disrupting the signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression.

Sunitinib in PNETs showed a substantial increase in progression-free survival when compared to placebo. It has also demonstrated the capacity to inhibit tumour growth and shrink tumours in patients with advanced or metastatic PNETs.

TKI therapy is not appropriate for all PNET patients, it is crucial to remember, and specific treatment choices should be established in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team. TKIs can also cause side effects such as hematologic abnormalities, tiredness, hypertension, and hand-foot syndrome. To get the best possible treatment results, these side effects must be closely monitored and managed.

Conclusion

Patient outcomes have considerably improved as a result of improvements in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour identification and therapy. The accuracy of PNET detection and staging has improved with the use of functional imaging modalities like SRS and PET scans. Moreover, individuals with advanced or metastatic PNETs now have a useful therapy option thanks to the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors like sunitinib. The management of PNETs is still changing as a result of continuous research and advances in the area, giving patients with this uncommon tumour type hope for better survival and quality of life.