ASCO 2021 | Immunotherapy of NETs

Jonathan Strosberg, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL discusses the potential for the use of immunotherapy to treat neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The results have been disappointing, with low response rates, especially in midgut well differentiated NETs. There is conflicting evidence for the use of CTLA-4 inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors e.g., ipi-nivo, to treat poorly differentiated NETs, with some studies recording high response rates and others low response rates (10-15%); occasionally a long-lasting response is achieved. Although immunotherapy is less effective in NETs than in other cancers, it may be a valuable treatment option in aggressive well-differentiated tumors and in poorly differentiated tumors, which lack alternative treatment options. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.