Clinical Epigenetics of Neuroendocrine Tumors: The Road Ahead
Annamaria Colao, Filomena de Nigris, Roberta Modica, Claudio Napoli
Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs, are cancer originating in neuroendocrine cells. They are mostly found in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs. Functional NETs are characterized by signs and symptoms caused by the oversecretion of hormones and other substances, but most NETs are non-functioning and diagnosis in advanced stages is common. Thus, novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are warranted. Epigenetics may contribute to refining the diagnosis, as well as to identify targeted therapy interfering with epigenetic-sensitive pathways. The goal of this review was to discuss the recent advancement in the epigenetic characterization of NETs highlighting their role in clinical findings.