Quiz: What Is the Key Driver of Angiogenesis in Pancreatic NETs?

Do you know which factors predict poor prognosis in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)? How about the estimated number of patients who will be diagnosed with NETs this year in the United States? Test your knowledge in our latest quiz.

Question 1

Answer

B.VEGF. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver of angiogenesis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Tissue from malignant pancreatic endocrine tumors also shows widespread expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) α and β, stem-cell factor receptor (c-Kit), and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3.

Question 2

Answer

A.12,000. While this number comprises cases of pheochromocytoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, around 60% of NETs cannot be described as anything other than “neuroendocrine carcinoma.”

Question 3

Answer

C. 11.4 vs 5.5 months. The hazard ratio for progression or death was 0.42 (95% CI, 0.26–0.66; P < .001), according to results from the trial. A Cox proportional-hazards analysis of progression-free survival according to baseline characteristics favored sunitinib in all subgroups studied. The objective response rate was 9.3% in the sunitinib group vs 0% in the placebo group.

Question 4

Answer

E.All of the above. Even when advanced, survival times for patients with well-differentiated NETs are generally better than those for patients with other malignancies, although highly variable. The main prognostic factors are grade of differentiation, tumor site, disease burden, and the presence of extrahepatic metastases.

Question 5

Answer

C.60%. The 5-year survival rate in Merkel cell carcinoma is higher in patients with early disease that has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.