Neuroendocrinology News

Sunitinib malate has received FDA approval as the first anti-VEGF therapy to treat progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease, according to a press release.

The evaluation and treatment of pituitary incidentalomas, a previously unsuspected pituitary lesion discovered on an unrelated imaging study, is the subject of new, evidence-based recommendations developed by The Endocrine Society.

The FDA has approved everolimus to treat patients with progressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors that cannot be removed by surgery or that have metastasized.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 20th Annual Meeting

A 45-year-old Asian woman was referred for the evaluation of a pituitary mass. The patient was well, with no significant past medical history. She complained for 6 months of left lateral tongue pain. A high-resolution MRI scan was ordered to examine the course of the left trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerves were normal without enhancement or masses. An incidental finding was reported of a pituitary mass within the right aspect of the pituitary gland.

The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory committee voted 8-2 today in support of the use of Pfizer’s sunitinib in the treatment of unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously today to approve a supplemental new drug application from Novartis to use everolimus for the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The FDA has approved a prior approval supplement application for the extended dosing interval of lanreotide injection for the treatment of patients with acromegaly, according to Ipsen.

Patients who are treated for Cushing’s disease, acromegaly or nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas appear to have different and less effective coping strategies than healthy people.

A 63-year-old man presented for evaluation of 4 months of headaches and sudden right eye loss of vision. He complained of severe bifrontal throbbing headaches associated with nausea, poor appetite and a 30-lb weight loss during a 4-month period.