PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neuroendocrine tumors are heterogeneous neoplasms with variable prognoses and clinical behaviors. The majority of well differentiated NETs express somatostatin receptors. Identification of these receptors has contributed to advancements in molecular and targeted radiotherapies. RECENT FINDINGS Molecular scans provide important diagnostic, staging, and prognostic data. Somatostatin-receptor imaging aids in selection of patients who are eligible for somatostatin-receptor-targeting therapies. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy has recently demonstrated robust efficacy in a phase III study of progressive midgut NETs. Current studies are investigating novel receptor agonists and antagonists, new classes of radioactive isotopes, and radiosensitizing combination treatments. SUMMARY The sophistication of molecular imaging is improving and its importance is increasing as a diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic tool. Theranostics, the coupling of molecular imaging with receptor-targeted therapy, represents a novel approach to cancer treatment.

中文翻译：

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神经内分泌肿瘤的分子成像和放射性核素治疗。

审查的目的神经内分泌肿瘤是异质性肿瘤，其预后和临床行为各异。大多数分化良好的NETs表达生长抑素受体。这些受体的鉴定有助于分子和靶向放射治疗的发展。最近的发现分子扫描可提供重要的诊断，分期和预后数据。生长抑素受体成像有助于选择适合生长抑素受体靶向疗法的患者。肽受体放射性核素疗法最近在进行性中肠NETs的III期研究中显示出强大的疗效。当前的研究正在研究新型受体激动剂和拮抗剂，新型放射性同位素和放射增敏联合治疗。发明内容作为诊断，预测和预后工具，分子成像的复杂性正在提高并且其重要性也在增加。治疗学，分子成像与受体靶向疗法的结合，代表了一种新的癌症治疗方法。