Dear NETRF Community,
 
I’m thrilled to connect with you as NETRF’s Director of Research. My dedication to neuroendocrine cancer research is driven by our shared goal: to deepen our understanding of the disease and uncover more effective treatments and potential cures.
 
At NETRF, funding cutting-edge research is the core of our mission. As the foremost nonprofit dedicated to neuroendocrine cancer research globally, we are committed to supporting the most innovative work to discover cures and improve treatments for neuroendocrine cancers. Your generous contributions enable us to provide grants to leading scientists at renowned institutions worldwide, driving progress in understanding and managing this disease.
 
Beyond research, we are also deeply committed to supporting patients and their families throughout their journey with neuroendocrine cancer. We are here for you.
 
This quarterly newsletter is just one of the ways we keep you informed about the impact of your contributions—from the latest funded projects to upcoming clinical trials and other relevant scientific developments. We value your curiosity and engagement; please let us know if there are specific topics you’re interested in learning more about.
 
Together, we are making a significant impact on the lives of those affected by neuroendocrine cancers. Thank you for standing with us as we strive for a brighter today and tomorrow for patients worldwide.
 
Kind regards,
Anna Greene, PhD
NETRF Director of Research 

One of the main challenges in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) research is the scarcity of models that accurately represent the disease. These models are essential for understanding the origins, progression, and resistance of NETs and testing new therapies. To address this, the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) has invested significantly in the development of various models, funding 23 grants totaling $5.7 million. These projects range from cell lines and organoids to mouse and zebrafish models.

NETRF-funded researchers have recently reported in the journal GigaScience the first multi-omic dataset of patient-derived tumor organoids of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). This includes large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas, lung neuroendocrine tumors, and small intestinal NETs. This study is a testament to the power of collaboration, including NETRF-funded researchers across the globe: Nicolas Alcala, PhD, Lynnette Fernandez-Cuesta, PhD, Matthieu Foll, PhD, Talya Dayton, PhD, and Hans Clevers, MD, PhD. The dataset offers a comprehensive resource for the research community, which may expedite the search for new neuroendocrine cancer treatments and cures.

Four NETRF-funded researchers were recognized for excellence and received awards at the recent European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) annual meeting in Vienna, Austria. CEO Elyse Gellerman and Director of Research Anna Greene (pictured above) attended the conference, which featured twelve NETRF researchers presenting their cutting-edge basic and translational work.

At NETRF, our mission is to fund research that holds promise for advancing the understanding and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). This is a commitment we do not take lightly: we understand that behind every research project we fund, there are individuals and families hoping for breakthroughs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently authorized a new technology called histotripsy to treat tumors in the liver, including neuroendocrine tumors. The noninvasive Edison® system developed by HistoSonics® uses sound waves to destroy liver tumors.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lutathera® as the first therapy specifically for patients 12 to 17 years of age who have somatostatin receptor-positive (SSTR+) gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), including foregut, midgut, and hindgut neuroendocrine tumors.

The results of a phase 2 clinical trial, the Natalie Trial, suggest that the drug cabozantinib may hold promise as a therapeutic option for some patients who have unresectable and progressive metastatic pheochromocytomas or paragangliomas (MPPGs). The trial found a 25% response rate from cabozantinib among those with MPPG, recently published in the journal Lancet Oncology.

A new first-in-human clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is exploring the use of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ADCT-701, in adults with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), which include neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs).

NET Research Foundation
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(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.