Onkologie. 2015:9(5):232-234

Carcinoid of the lung - advances in molecular biology and their practical application

Ondřej Fischer, Ivona Grygárková, Vítězslav Kolek

Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy LF Univerzity Palackého a FN Olomouc

Low and intermediate grade neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs, more often known as typical and atypical carcinoid, represent minor,

but clinically important part of lung neoplasms. In past years they were somewhat on the edge of interest in both research and therapy

because of their favorable prognosis (5-year survival 90 %, respectively 40–60 %) and low incidence (1–2 % of all pulmonary tumors).

However, recent advances in molecular biology and genetics helped to understand signal pathways and processes used by carcinoid cells.

New molecular targets were identified, opening possibility for development of new therapeutic drugs. Especially blockade of PI3K/Alt/

mTOR signal cascade and associated pathways, like IGF-1 receptor or vascular endotelial growth factor receptors, shows great potential in

stopping proliferation of carcinoid cell. Although most of appropriate therapeutics is not yet approved for pulmonary carcinoid therapy,

results of summarized pilot studies are encouraging. Drugs from mTOR inhibitors group and anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies, as well as

combined radionuclide/somatostatine analogues therapy, can expand still limited therapeutic spectrum for these chemoresistant tumors.

Keywords: carcinoid of the lung, neuroendocrine tumor, molecular biology, biological treatment, mTOR inhibitors, bevacizumab

Published: December 1, 2015  Show citation