Chemotherapy efficacy in metastatic neuroendocrine colorectal cancer

AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of first-line chemotherapy in patients with colorectal neuroendocrine cancer (NEC).PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective study included patients with metastatic colorectal NEC (2000-2020). The main analyzed parameter was the response rate to treatment according to the RECIST criteria, depending on the regimen used in the first line. The overall survival was additional parameter.RESULTS: the study included 27 patients (13 with initial stage IV disease and 14 with progression after primary radical treatment). Ten patients in the 1st line underwent chemotherapy according to the EP scheme, 4 — XELOX, 2 — FOLFIRI, 2 — Irinotecan and Cisplatin, 1 — Samarium, 1 — Nivolumab, 1 — 5-FU-LV. Most often, the treatment effect (partial response or stabilization) was observed against the background of chemotherapy according to the EP scheme — in 60% of patients. The median OS was 7 months.CONCLUSION: the use of chemotherapy according to the EP regimen is the preferred options for the treatment of metastatic colorectal NEC. The median OS in this group of patients remains extremely low, and new clinical trials are needed.