The NETest: The Clinical Utility of Multigene Blood Analysis in the Diagnosis and Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2018 Sep;47(3):485-504. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2018.05.002.

Abstract

The neuroendocrine neoplasms test (NETest) is a multianalyte liquid biopsy that measures neuroendocrine tumor gene expression in blood. This unique signature precisely defines the biological activity of an individual tumor in real time. The assay meets the 3 critical requirements of an optimal biomarker: diagnostic accuracy, prognostic value, and predictive therapeutic assessment. NETest performance metrics are sensitivity and specificity and in head-to-head comparison are 4-fold to 10-fold more accurate than chromogranin A. NETest accurately identifies completeness of surgery and response to somatostatin analogs. Clinical registry data demonstrate significant clinical utility in watch/wait programs.

Keywords: Biomarker; Blood; Bronchopulomary carcinoid; Multigene blood analysis; NETest; Neuroendocrine tumors; PCR; Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy; Progression; Transcript.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Disease Management
  • Genes, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Humans
  • Multigene Family / genetics*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / therapy*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers