Study Looks at Connection Between NETs and COVID-19 Infection Outcomes
In a worldwide study, most patients who have a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and were infected with COVID-19 did not require intensive care to treat their coronavirus infection, according to a recent study led by the European Institute of Oncology. The study looked at the outcomes of 89 patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms and COVID-19 from June, 2020 through March, 2021. 

Noting that people who have cancer are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, the investigators conducted the survey to determine the clinical course of patients who have a NET and coronavirus infection. They found that fever and cough were the main COVID-19 symptoms experienced by those who have a NET, and that their infections were primarily treated with antibiotics without the need to discontinue their cancer therapy. More than 80% of the patients completely recovered without long-term effects. 

This is the first study to focus specifically on patients with NETs and COVID-19. The investigators anticipate that the study results will help guide healthcare policies for the care of those who have a NET during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study was published in the July 2021 issue of the European Journal of Cancer. The full article is available here.

Share Your COVID Experience
A survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient experiences and treatment decisions is underway and recruiting participants. The survey has been developed by a group of international experts in the field of NETs who are collaborators with INCA, the International Neuroendocrine Cancer Alliance. The survey is available in English, French, Italian and Spanish and can be found here.

A phase II clinical trial investigating the safety and effectiveness of the drug belzutifan for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) has opened at Vanderbilt University-Ingram Cancer Center. To be eligible for the study, participants must have advanced or metastatic PPGL or pNET disease. Vanderbilt is the first site worldwide for this trial and Satya Das, MD, MSCI is leading it. (READ MORE)

At its recent virtual awards event, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) recognized the innovative NETRF-funded research on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors being conducted by Etay Ziv, MD, PhD. Dr. Ziv is an interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He leads a translational research study that aims to understand the process of how pancreatic NETs progress from low grade to higher, more aggressive grade tumors. It’s not clear to scientists how this transition occurs and whether it may be correlated with therapeutic treatments or other factors.  (READ MORE)

The latest NETWise Episode, Supportive Care for Mind, Body, and Soul, takes a close look at palliative care--the focus of a dedicated team of interdisciplinary professionals who have a lot to offer people with neuroendocrine tumors. Palliative care is NOT end-of-life care. It addresses all the issues impacting a person’s quality of life. 

In this episode, hear from physicians about what palliative care is—and is not.  Hear from people with NETs who share their stories about how palliative care has helped them deal with their illness. (LISTEN NOW)

After you listen to this Episode, test your knowledge of palliative care with a visit to the LACNETS website for NETQuiz #20 (TAKE QUIZ)

Judith Jones loved Nantucket. From the first time she visited the island off Massachusetts as a young woman, Nantucket was a special place for Judy and her family.  So, it was especially meaningful that about a dozen family members gathered on Nantucket on June 15, 2021 to walk 11 miles in memory of Judy (known to her grandchildren as Mimi), who died of neuroendocrine cancer in 2020. (READ MORE)

NETRF wants to thank all the members of our NETRF Giving Societies. These societies pay tribute to our most dedicated, longstanding donors, who have funded critical research in neuroendocrine cancers with the goal of finding cures and improved treatments for all NET patients. Learn more about the Founders, who have supported us for all fifteen years; the Champions who have given for 10-14 years, and our largest Advocate Society for donors with 5-9 years of giving.  

You can meet some of these important supporters in NETRF’s 2020 Annual Report. The Annual Report highlights many of the people who shared the vision of an organization devoted to NET research and helped to build the Foundation we are today. We are grateful for each and every one of you.