Therapeutic modality Mode of action and Remarks
Glucocorticoids Increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance Decrease insulin secretion and peripheral glucose utilization
Diazoxide, Streptozotocin Reduce insulin secretion by direct beta cell toxicity
Somatostatin analogues Actions mediated through somatostatin receptors Not as effective in malignant compared to benign tumours
Interferon Induces cytotoxic lymphocyte mediated beta cell damage
Evorolimus (mTOR inhibitor) ? Inhibits insulinĀ  secretion
? Induces insulin resistance
? anti tumour growth effects
Sunitinib (Tyrosine kniase inhibitor) Inhibits vascualr endothelial growth factor and platelet drived growth factor receptors
Radionuclides [19] Used mainly in unresectable somatostatin receptor positive tumours
Table 3: There is an increasing array of therapies now available for treating neuroendocrine tumours. Most of them are currently reserved for subjects with unresectable tumours.