This section contains links to papers, websites, and publications that track the current research on the treatments available for carcinoid cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
NOTICE: Many other diagnostic and treatment peer review articles are available under the heading For Medical Professionals. Please understand that these articles were intended for medical professionals and can be very technical. For access to these articles CLICK HERE.
Human Tumor Assay
Editor Larry Weisenthal, MD, Phd What is Cell culture drug resistance testing (CCDRT) ?
Also known as "chemotherapy sensitivity and resistance assays" or ("CSRAs")
This journal
describes the use of CCDR and its use to identify the best forms of chemotherapy for cancer patients on an individual basis.
It has been shown that giving niacin supplementation to carcinoid patients not only resolves several common symptoms of carcinoid and pellagra, such as skin lesions and diarrhea/ steatorrhea, but also generally improves the health of the carcinoid patients (10, 12, 29). Therefore, our results warrant that niacin status should be determined for all carcinoid patients, so that active niacin replacement could be provided to biochemically niacin-deficient patients. In areas of the world where preformed niacin is not added to the food supply and screening of niacin status is not possible, all carcinoid patients should be supplemented with niacin as a preventative therapy.
Biotherapy (Medical therapy)
Somatostatin Analogues
Important Note:The only somatostatin analogue currently available in the US is Sandostatin (generic name octreotide), manufactured by Novartis. In the rest of the world, three types of somatostatin analogues are available -- octreotide, lanreotide and vapreotide. Lanreotide (trade names Somatuline, Autogel)is manufactured by Ipsen. Vapreotide (trade name Sanvar(R)IR) is manufactured by the Montreal, Cana dian-based pharmaceutical company H3 Pharma
For comprehensive Information regarding the use of the somatostatin analogue Sandostatin in the forms of subcutaneous injection(SC), longacting injection(Sandostatin LAR) and continuous subcutaneous infusion via a pump ( pump-based therapy) read the following newly published paper by Dr. Eugene Woltering (2005) A discussion on the utility of various routes of administration of octreotide acetate (Full text access with permission from the author)
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Information site for carcinoid patients by Novartis . The carcinoid syndrome website for patients and their caregivers is completed and now up! This site, intended for the newly diagnosed and those living with carcinoid syndrome, features "questions to ask your doctor" and a sign-up program to receive updated information from Novartis. Take a look at the Resources section (http://www.carcinoid.com/info/resources/downloads.jsp) to see the detailed scientific information in the form of flash animations
A Personal Overview of Sandostatin
From Al Simm's personal website. This page contains the Preparation and Administration booklet for Sandostatin.
Chemoembolization and Bland Embolization of
Neuroendocrine Tumor Metastases to the Liver (Full text) J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2007 Jul;18(7):847-55 Ruutiainen AT, Soulen MC, Tuite CM, Clark TW, Mondschein JI, Stavropoulos SW, Trerotola SO.
Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, 1 Silverstein, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. (Abstract) CONCLUSIONS: Chemoembolization was not associated with a higher degree of toxicity than bland embolization. Chemoembolization demonstrated trends toward improvement in TTP, symptom control, and survival. Based on these results, a multicenter prospective randomized trial is warranted
SIR-Spheres ( Yttrium 90 targeted for liver tumors) What are SIR-Spheres? SIR-Spheres are tiny polymer (plastic) beads (about one third the diameter of a strand of hair) that are combined with yttrium-90, a radioisotope that emits pure beta radiation. Y90 (yttrium-90) has a “half life” of about 64 hours, that is, every 64 hours the level of radiation falls by one half until it is effectively gone after 2 weeks. The radiation from Y90 penetrates an average of only 2.5 mm (approximately 1/16 of an inch) in tissue. After injection into the artery supplying blood to the tumors, the spheres are trapped in the tumor’s vascular bed, where they destroy the tumor cells by delivering the beta radiation. The radiation is targeted to the tumor and after 14 days the majority of the radiation effect has occurred. SIR-Spheres are considered a regional treatment as the radiation is directed to the liver and does not affect other organs in the body.
nformation about Chemoembolization, Radiofrequency Ablation, Radioisotope (Y90) (SirSperes, TheraSpheres,) and other surgical treatments targeted for liver tumors
Yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization is a new non-surgical procedure used to treat inoperable liver cancer by delivering targeted, internal radiation
For Medical Centers in the US that peform Theraspheres CLICK HERE SirSpheres CLICK HERE
NOTE 1: YES"When the impossible is possible" This site gives information and support to patients who have undergone treatment with Yttrium 90 Microsphere.
Their toll free survival number is 1-877-937-7478
NOTE 2: Read about one patient's experience with Y 90 treatement for liver metastases in the January and March issue of the MNYCSG newsletter below.
JANUARY AND MARCH 2007 The Metro NY Carcinoid Support Group's (MNYCSG) January and March 2007 newsletters (in PDF format) are now available. A MUST READ !!! Click here for the January newsletter. Click here for the March newsletter
Besides carcinoid comunity news these two issues contain a special section on "The Yttrium 90 Treatment --- One Patient's Experience"
To contact the author of this fabulous newsletter click on the following link (Jim Weiveris)
For past and later newsletter and other relevant information visit the MNYSG website at http://www.carcinoid.us
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA)
Cleveland Clinic,
The following pages contain information for patients about the Liver Tumor Radio Frequency Ablation Program. The information will answer questions patients may ask when considering a new treatment method.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) Information
Provided by Liver Tumor Ablation Program at the University of California, San Francisco
Systemic Radioisotope treatment now available in the US. “High Dose Indium-111 Pentetreotide (Octreotide) Therapy in Somatostatin Receptor Expressing Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.” High-dose 111In-Pentetreotide (~500 mCi/patient) is now offered in the U.S. for therapy in somatostatin receptor expressing neuroendocrine tumors. This is based on the Investigational New Drug (IND) application filed with FDA. Using this innovative method of cancer therapy, a somatostatin receptor analog (called Pentetreotide) is labeled with a high dose of a radioactive element called Indium-111. Pentetreotide will carry Indium-111 to the site of the tumor and attaches to the receptor site located on the cell membrane. The next step is internalization of the compound into the cell cytoplasm and next to the cell nucleus. Radioactivity is then deposited in this region and causes damage to the DNA molecules located in the nucleus of the cancer cells. The net effect will be initial dysfunction of the tumor cells, followed by prevention of further tumor growth and leading to cell death.
This therapy can be applied to the category of neuroendocrine tumors which include Carcinoid, Islet Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas, Oat Cell Carcinoma of the Lung, and Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma” .
The principle investigator of this program is Dr. Ebrahim S. Delpassand and the project is in collaboration with Excel diagnostic Imaging Clinics, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and RadioIsotope Therapy of America (RITA) Foundation in Houston. FDA has authorized charge recovery for this treatment and majority of the insurance companies as well as Medicare provide coverage for this therapy.
For further information regarding this treatment, you can contact Ms. Jennifer Hernandez, clinical coordinator of the project at: 713-341-3239. jhernandez@exceldiagnostics.com
