NETs SPORE
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors that mainly arise in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the stomach, intestine, appendix, colon, or rectum, along with the pancreas. Each type of NET, based on its location, exhibits distinct symptoms. As a result, the diagnosis of each neuroendocrine tumor varies, and so do the treatments. Tumors classified as Grades 1 and 2 are noted for their slow growth, while Grade 3 tumors grow rapidly and can metastasize to other parts of the body. The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 8,000 NETs originating in the GI tract are diagnosed each year in the United States. These tumors are most commonly detected in individuals in their 60s and affect both men and women equally. The frequency of diagnosis has escalated over the past few decades, largely due to improvements in diagnostic technologies. Recent published data indicate that the age-adjusted mortality rate for NETs in adults aged 55 and older increased from 3.1 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3.5 in 2020. As a result, NETs have attracted increased interest in translational research and clinical trials. The first Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant dedicated to exploring the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of NETs was granted in 2015. This newly awarded P50 grant consists of three projects centered on human translational research and includes two Phase 1 clinical trials focusing on pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, and carcinomas, as well as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.