SSTR-Based Therapies for Gastroenteropancreatic and Thoracic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.
Somatostatin (SRIF) and its receptors (SSTR) are key players in the regulation of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN), with significant implications for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The field of SSTR-targeted drugs/ligands (SRL) is continuously evolving, with emerging novel therapeutic approaches aiming to address the numerous unmet needs and limitations of the standard-of-care (SOC) SRL. In the present manuscript we aim to provide a concise review of the field, focusing on the new and ongoing developments and potential novel approaches to be considered in the future. The paper a) provides insights into the pathophysiology of SSTR in relation to unmet needs in the SRL efficacy and limitations; b) presents a state-of-the-art assessment of knowledge on the SOC SRL; c) depicts current ongoing and future research, highlighting areas of insufficient knowledge for SRL in NEN routine practice.