Cabozantinib in the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Insights across Different Tumor Origins

Abstract

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells, exhibiting a wide range of behaviors from indolent to highly aggressive forms. Treatment options remain limited, particularly for progressive cases. Cabozantinib, a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated potential in targeting key pathways related to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of cabozantinib's therapeutic role across various NEN subtypes, including gastroenteropancreatic NENs, lung NENs, pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas, Merkel cell carcinoma, presacral NENs, pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, and neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

Key messages: The paper discusses several preclinical and clinical studies that demonstrate the efficacy of cabozantinib in slowing tumor progression and improving progression-free survival, particularly in patients with progressive, well-differentiated NENs. However, cabozantinib's complex toxicity profile limits its broad application, necessitating further research to optimize dosing, particularly in syndromic NENs. Ongoing trials are investigating cabozantinib in combination with somatostatin analogs, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, temozolomide, and immunotherapies in order to overcome treatment resistance and expanding therapeutic strategies for advanced NENs.

Keywords: Cabozantinib; Neuroendocrine carcinoma; Neuroendocrine neoplasms; Neuroendocrine tumors; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.