Endocrine Abstracts

The classification and nomenclature of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is complex, can be confusing and has undergone major changes over the last three decades, as illustrated by the evolution in classification of GEP-NENs by the WHO. The 4th edition of the WHO’s classification of GEP-NENs was published in 2010. This edition is currently in use for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasm (GI-NEN) classification. The WHO 2010 classification introduced a strict ...

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of unknown primary (UP-NETs) represent up to 22% of NETs. Primary site identification enables patients to access appropriate treatment but is not always possible by immunohistochemistry or imaging. Given the epigenetic dysregulation of NETs, we aimed to use methylation array data to determine UP-NET tissue-of-origin. DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 76 pancreatic NET (PanNETs) (54 training and 22 validation samples) and 53 sma...

Background: Immunotherapy is currently being explored in many tumour types with encouraging results, but has not yet been evaluated in neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Our aim is to characterise the immune landscape of NET and determine which immune-modulatory pathways control the tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in order to develop a rational approach for immunotherapy in this tumour type.Methods: Peripheral blood and fresh tissue was obtained from c...

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are potentially malignant lesions originating from the enterochromaffin cells of the GI tract. These neoplasms often produce characteristic hormonal syndromes and can cause debilitating symptoms. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a well-established, complex, endoscopic technique, which allows for full resection of the mucosal and submucosal lesions without the need for open surgery.M...

Background: Although small bowel (SB) neuroendocrine tumours (SBNETs) often present as indolent lesions, late diagnosis may result in poor outcomes. Successful management is therefore dependent on early identification. Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) enables direct SB mucosal visualisation, sampling and endotherapy. Our aim was to evaluate the role of DBE for early diagnosis and management of SBNETs.Methods: Retrospective review of all SBNETs diagnosed/...

Integration of genetics and epigenetics has emerged as a powerful approach to study cellular differentiation and tumourigenesis. The study of DNA methylation is of particular importance in cancer as causal involvement has been demonstrated and it is the most stable of all epigenetic modifications, making it a desirable marker for both early detection and treatment of tumours. Hypermethylation of CpG sites in gene promoter regions leads to decreased gene expression, if such a g...

Introduction: Historically the incidence and prevalence of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) has been difficult to establish due to issues with disease coding and data collection. Studies estimated the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs) to be 1.3 per 100,000 per year (incidence hereafter given as cases per 100,000). However, the SEER USA data suggests a four-fold higher incidence, and prevalence of 35 per 100,000. This study aimed to identify the...

Introduction: Accurate survival data for patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) across the UK has been difficult to capture. Individual centres often report good survival rates, however, national data has not previously been available.Materials and methods: NET patient survival was calculated for England using the Public Health England (PHE) National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS) dataset which captures tumour stage using TNM stagi...

Introduction: Historically there has been an association with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and other cancers. However, this has not previously been well characterised. We aimed to determine the incidence of second malignancies in patients with NETs and investigate any association of the anatomical site of NETs with other malignancies.Materials and methods: 12,844 patients were diagnosed with a NET between 2013 and 2015 and captured by the National Cance...

Introduction: MANEC is a rare diagnosis and little is known on its epidemiology/prognosis/management.Methods: Demographic/clinical-pathological/survival data of patients with a diagnosis of MANEC (2010 WHO criteria) from five European centres were retrospectively reviewed.Results: Sixty-six patients were identified (09/80–07/17); median age: 62.5 years (range 34–89); male: 66.7%; ECOG-PS 0-1: 59%; primary tumours from: sm...