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Review
. 2024 May 7;45(3):343-350.
doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnad034.

The Molecular Biology of Midgut Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Amy P Webster  1 , Chrissie Thirlwell  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The Molecular Biology of Midgut Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Amy P Webster et al. Endocr Rev. .

Abstract

Midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are one of the most common subtypes of NEN, and their incidence is rising globally. Despite being the most frequently diagnosed malignancy of the small intestine, little is known about their underlying molecular biology. Their unusually low mutational burden compared to other solid tumors and the unexplained occurrence of multifocal tumors makes the molecular biology of midgut NENs a particularly fascinating field of research. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the understanding of the interplay of the genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic landscape in the development of midgut NENs, a topic that is critical to understanding their biology and improving treatment options and outcomes for patients.

Keywords: DNA methylation; epigenetics; genetics; molecular biology; neuroendocrine neoplasms; neuroendocrine tumors.

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Figures

Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Patterns of chromosome 18 loss across multifocal midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms (adapted from Zhang et al 2020; created with BioRender).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Emerging concepts in midgut neuroendocrine neoplasms molecular analyses. Figure created with BioRender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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