Maintenance therapy after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas: A literature review

Abstract

Neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare and aggressive malignancies, often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor prognosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced neuroendocrine carcinomas; however after achieving response no consensus exists on maintenance therapies and the results are inconsistent. This review examines the role of maintenance therapy following response to first-line chemotherapy in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas. We identified limited supporting evidence, primarily from phase II trials and case reports, that suggested maintenance therapy could be considered for prolonging progression-free survival, balancing toxicity, and maintaining quality of life. Nevertheless, prospective studies are needed to validate its clinical efficacy.