In 2019, NETRF awarded Lynette Fernandez-Cuesta, PhD, of the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France with an Investigator Award to study the molecular underpinnings of lung supra-carcinoids, an aggressive subtype of NETs. To date, there is no explanation of why some tumors grow slowly, and others very aggressively. By understanding the characteristics of lung supra-carcinoids and developing lab models that mimic the growth of supra-carcinoids, Fernandez-Cuesta hopes to identify potential drug targets for treating the disease, identify better screening and treatment approaches and develop molecular profiling data to inform future research on how supra-carcinoids develop and grow.

“While only a year has passed since we obtained the NETRF Investigator Award, our research has already produced the first molecular map of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms,” says Fernandez-Cuesta. “It’s an interactive tool that allows for integration of transcriptomic data from different studies to accelerate discoveries on these rare cancers.”

Fernandez-Cuesta’s work was recently published in the scientific journal GigaScience. To learn more about Cuesta-Fernandez’s NETRF-funded research to identify what opportunities exist to interrupt the cellular pathways to stop or slow the tumor growth of lung supra-carcinoids, visit our website. (LEARN MORE)

Hans Clevers, MD, PhD, is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in 3D cancer cell models. He’s responsible for a series of breakthrough discoveries that led to the development of mini-organs grown in Petri dishes. These miniature human organs, now called organoids, are used as laboratory models to study the causes and treatment of cancers and are considered an “essential first step toward the growth of the regenerative cancer medicine field.” The American Association for Cancer Research recently presented Dr. Clevers with the 2021 Pezcoller Foundation International Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Cancer Research.

In 2017, NETRF awarded Dr. Clevers with a four-year Petersen Accelerator Award to develop NET organoids from lung, intestine and pancreas tumor tissues. Dr. Clevers and his team at the Hubrecht Institute, Netherlands have made extraordinary progress in their efforts to grow human organoids from tumor tissues derived from metastatic NETs. To date, the Clevers' lab has generated more than 50 NET organoid lines. NETRF congratulates Dr. Clevers on this prestigious award and thanks him for his remarkable contribution to NET cancer research. (LEARN MORE)

If you’ve asked this question about your NET treatments and procedures, you are not alone. Currently, there are no clear guidelines regarding the optimum sequencing of NET therapeutic options. A researcher at the University of Iowa College of Public Health aims to change that. Dr. Michael O’Rorke, an assistant professor of epidemiology, was recently awarded a $5 million grant to lead a three-year study to help determine which care options work, for whom and under which circumstances. (CONTINUE READING)

We know that many of you are new to your NET diagnosis and you likely have a lot of questions. We’d like to take a moment to give you an introduction to NETs and what you need to know about them. That means taking you to the beginning of our Podcast series NETWise. In Episode 1, we provide an understanding of the basics of neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis. Join us as we take a deep dive into understanding prognosis, defining stage and grade of NETs and the “upside down” nature of NET primaries and metastases. Plus, we have episode infographics that you can download to help provide you with a better visual understanding as you listen to the podcast. (LISTEN NOW) 

Do you know what role genetics play in neuroendocrine tumors? Could you or your loved ones’ benefit from genetic screening? In our most recent episode of NETWise, we talk with leading NET specialists from around the country about the relationship between NETs and DNA. Listen now and learn how your genetic code could hold important implications for treatment strategies, prognosis, and the health of your family members. Then take the LACNETS quiz to test your knowledge of NET genetics. (TAKE QUIZ)

The federal government and many states are offering a special three-month enrollment period in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Between now through August 15, 2021, you can enroll in coverage, change plans or see if you qualify for Medicaid. If you are already enrolled in Marketplace coverage, you may also qualify for more increased financial support made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. (LEARN MORE)