Where neuroendocrine tumor treatment is heading
Neuroendocrine tumors · Updated Nov 13, 2026
Neuroendocrine tumors grow from hormone-producing cells, most often in the intestine, pancreas or lung; about 12,000 people in the US are diagnosed each year, and many live with them for years. Somatostatin drugs, radioligand therapy (Lutathera), everolimus and now cabozantinib are the main tools. Newer radioligands are close.
- 364studies open or running
- 29phase 3 trials
- 2,000papers published this year
- 40NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Cabozantinib for advanced NETsHappened 13.8 mo before growth
In pancreatic NETs, time before growth rose to 13.8 months from 4.4 with placebo.
13.8 mo: before growth in pancreatic NETs, vs 4.4 with placebo.
More radioligand supplyHappened
Two Lutathera-equivalent versions were approved in September 2026.
-
6 months
by May 2027
Actinium radioligand after lutetiumLikely
RYZ101 met its main goal in ACTION-1; full results and a filing are expected.
Monthly octreotide under the skinPossible
SORENTO (332 people) compares a self-injected depot with standard octreotide; finishes November 2026.
-
12 months
by Nov 2027
Lutetium edotreotide resubmissionPossible
After an FDA complete response letter, ITM is expected to resubmit; COMPOSE results are due mid-2027.
-
3 years
by late 2029
Radioligands earlier in treatmentPossible
NETTER-3 tests Lutathera as a first treatment for higher-grade tumors; due December 2028.
A new pill against everolimusPossible
STELLAR-311 (440 people) compares zanzalintinib with everolimus; due June 2029.
-
5 years
by late 2031
DLL3 drugs for neuroendocrine carcinomaLong shot
Obrixtamig and tarlatamab, built for small cell lung cancer, are in trials for aggressive neuroendocrine carcinomas.
The research paths
Radioligand therapy
Details and 2 trialsHide
Radioactive drugs that home to somatostatin receptors, now including alpha emitters.
WatchACTION-1 filing; COMPOSE; NETTER-3.
Pills and injections
13.8 mo before growthDetails and 2 trialsHide
Multi-target pills and easier somatostatin injections.
WatchSTELLAR-311; SORENTO.
High-grade carcinoma
Details and 2 trialsHide
Borrowing DLL3 bispecifics from small cell lung cancer.
WatchDAREON-NEC-1 and TARLANEC.
Borrowed from other cancers
From Small cell lung cancer
Tarlatamab
Phase 2/3
A DLL3 bispecific antibody now tested in neuroendocrine carcinoma.
From Kidney and liver cancer
Cabozantinib
Approved
A multi-target pill now approved for NETs.
Open to join now
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Grade 2/3 GEP-NET
Lutathera as first treatment
Locations and eligibility → -
Advanced NET
Zanzalintinib vs everolimus
Locations and eligibility → -
Extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma
Obrixtamig with chemotherapy
Locations and eligibility → -
Pretreated neuroendocrine carcinoma, France
Tarlatamab
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting NETs trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
What just happened
ACTION-1 meets its goal
Actinium-225 radioligand.
Two Lutathera equivalents approved
Bexlutry and Bravnetsa.
FDA sends letter on lutetium edotreotide
No clinical issues cited.
Standard treatment today
- LocalizedSurgery; small rectal or appendix tumors may be removed endoscopically.
- Advanced, slow-growingOctreotide or lanreotide injections.
- Growing despite somatostatin drugsLutetium-177 dotatate, everolimus, sunitinib (pancreatic), or cabozantinib.
- Neuroendocrine carcinoma (high grade)Platinum-etoposide chemotherapy; clinical trials.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Neuroendocrine tumors vary widely by site and grade; options differ for lung, pancreatic and intestinal tumors.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See NETs trials recruiting now →