Treatment for neuroendocrine cancer

Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for neuroendocrine cancer

Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them to grow and survive. Other drugs help the to attack cancer. They are called immunotherapies.

Some drugs work in more than one way. So they are targeted as well as working with the immune system.

Neuroendocrine cancers are a group of cancers that develop in cells of the . You might also hear the term neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). This means the same as neuroendocrine cancer.

You might have targeted drugs to treat a NET. These drugs include sunitinib and everolimus.

You might have immunotherapy to treat lung NEC. These drugs include atezolizumab and durvalumab

Atezolizumab

Atezolizumab is also called Tecentriq. It works by blocking a protein that stops the immune system from working properly and attacking cancer cells. It helps to make your immune system find and kill cancer cells. It is a type of immunotherapy for some types of lung neuroendocrine carcinoma.

You usually have atezolizumab as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).

Read about atezolizumab and its side effects

Durvalumab

Durvalumab is also called Imfinzi. It is a type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor. It seeks out cancer cells by looking for the PD-L1 protein and attaching to it. The immune system then recognises the marked cells and kills them. You might have durvalumab for some types of lung neuroendocrine cancer.

You have durvalumab as a drip into your bloodstream (intravenously).

Read about durvalumab and its side effects

Last reviewed: 26 Feb 2025

Next review due: 26 Feb 2028

Other treatments for neuroendocrine cancer

Treatment depends on the type of neuroendocrine cancer you have, where it is, its size and whether it has spread (the stage).

What are neuroendocrine cancers?

Neuroendocrine cancers are also called neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). There are 2 key groups - neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs).

Living with neuroendocrine cancer

Practical and emotional support is available to help you cope with neuroendocrine cancer.

Neuroendocrine cancer main page

Neuroendocrine cancers develop in cells of the neuroendocrine system. They can develop in different parts of the body including the lungs, stomach, pancreas and bowel.