March 2026

Tijana Jovanovic-Talisman began neuroendocrine cancer research over ten years ago and is a 2025 NETRF Pilot Award winner for her work to discover early detection diagnostics for neuroendocrine cancer. 

Three years ago she also became a caregiver when her mother was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

In this interview she shares her perspective as both researcher and family member, and why NETRF's support has been so important to her both personally and professionally.

More than one thousand neuroendocrine cancer researchers, physicians, and patient advocates from over 50 countries gathered this month in Krakow, Poland, for the 23rd Annual Conference of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS). Numerous NETRF grantees presented their work at this meeting, underscoring the organization’s central role in advancing innovative research in the field. CEO Elyse Gellerman and Chief Scientific Officer Anna Greene, PhD, represented NETRF and share their highlights. Read more.

Research into neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) continues to progress, with clinical trials exploring both new treatment approaches and improvements to existing therapies. In this roundup we highlight progress in targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies, regulatory developments that could expand treatment access, and early-stage studies investigating innovative immune-based treatments. 

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Scientists are discovering that where a tumor grows in the body may influence how it behaves. A new study, supported in part by the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF), provides important insights into how small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) develop and spread.

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This month’s Thrivership episode focuses on how to take meaningful steps to address the financial challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis. Many individuals living with neuroendocrine cancer experience financial toxicity — the emotional and practical strain that can arise from treatment costs, insurance complexities, and changes in work or income. In this session, we share practical strategies to help patients better understand their financial situation, identify supportive resources, and feel more equipped to navigate this important aspect of living with cancer.

Neuroendocrine cancer diagnoses have increased significantly over the past several decades, raising important questions for patients, clinicians, and researchers alike. Are these cancers truly becoming more common, or are advances in medicine allowing them to be detected earlier and more accurately? In this episode of NETWise, leading experts  explore what is driving the rise in diagnoses and what it means for care today. 

Since 2009, Wayne Firsty and his children, Shay and Alana, have rallied friends and supporters around the world to raise funds for neuroendocrine cancer research in memory of Julie Seltzer Firsty. This year, their community’s generosity has reached a remarkable milestone with the sponsorship of a NETRF Mentored Research Award focused on lung neuroendocrine cancer.

Recently, Wayne and Shay visited the research lab where this work is underway, meeting with the scientists whose discoveries their community is helping make possible.

Read the full story and see photos from their visit.

Inspired by Firsty’s family's story (above)? Community fundraisers like the Firsty family’s Moonlight Walk have helped power important neuroendocrine cancer research for years.

If you’ve ever thought about organizing a fundraiser of your own, join our Community Fundraising Webinar on March 25 at 2 p.m. (ET). We’ll share simple ideas, practical tools, and how NETRF can support you every step of the way.

To register, please contact Steve Perna at steve.perna@netrf.org.

We are delighted to welcome Mandy Westland, PhD, to the NETRF team as Research Program Coordinator to support our growing research program. Mandy has over seven years of experience managing complex, multi-project portfolios for research institutions and nonprofits. She has extensive expertise in executing collaborative research studies, is skilled at synthesizing technical findings for reporting, and offers hands-on experience managing virtual and live events. 

Mandy is particularly committed to advancing research on rare diseases and cancer, leveraging her experience in translational programs and multidisciplinary collaborations to accelerate the development of more effective treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Mandy holds a BS in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Oklahoma State University and a PhD in Biomedical Science from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

NET Research Foundation
100 Hancock Street,
Third floor
Quincy, MA 02171
(617) 946-1780 info@netrf.org

The mission of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation is to fund research to discover cures and more effective treatments for neuroendocrine cancer. NETRF is the largest global funder of neuroendocrine research and a preeminent resource for expert patient education and support.



NETRF is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.