In 2025, NETRF stepped up when it mattered most by increasing research funding at a critical time and standing firmly behind the next generation of neuroendocrine cancer scientists. At our Margie & Robert E. Petersen Neuroendocrine Cancer Research Symposium, we celebrated 20 years of discoveries that have changed lives while charting the course for the breakthroughs still to come. And by truly listening to patients and families, we provided education resources that speak to real experiences, because every breakthrough we fund is ultimately measured by the lives it improves.
“I first came to NETRF as a caregiver searching for trustworthy information when my mother was diagnosed. What I found was an organization that genuinely puts patients at the center of everything it does. When this grant opportunity came along, I knew I wanted to be part of that.”
Tijana Jovanovic-Talisman
2025 NETRF Pilot Award Grantee
We celebrate our rich history of discoveries and the progress made in 2025.
In 2025, NETRF-funded research made meaningful progress across the field, from earlier detection and improved imaging to new therapies, precision medicine tools, and strategies to improve long-term patient outcomes. With a highly competitive grant cycle, 50 active research projects worldwide, and a growing global community of investigators and collaborators, NETRF continued to drive discovery toward a future where neuroendocrine cancer is found earlier, treated more effectively, and ultimately cured.
Pawel Mazur
Researcher
In 2025, NETRF awarded research grants totaling $2.8 million to thirteen investigators pursuing innovative, promising research that has the potential to improve the lives of those living with neuroendocrine cancer. These awards brought NETRF’s all-time investment in research to over $42 million.
Each year, grant recipients are selected through a rigorous, competitive scientific peer-review process and nine of this year’s awardees are first-time grant recipients of NETRF, reinforcing the researcher pipeline. This year’s grant slate included a Petersen Accelerator Award, NETRF’s largest and most prestigious grant of $800,000. The grant was awarded to Lynnette Fernandez-Cuesta, PhD, for her work to determine the characteristics of supra-carcinoids, an aggressive form of lung NETs, to identify better tools for diagnosis and treatment.
The 2025 Margie & Robert E. Petersen Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Symposium was held November 17-19 at The Hotel Commonwealth in Boston, Massachusetts. The meeting brought together over 120 leading scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders, united by the common goal of finding better treatments and, ultimately, cures for neuroendocrine cancer.
This year’s symposium was a landmark moment. In NETRF’s 20th anniversary year, keynote speaker Pamela Kunz, MD, highlighted breakthroughs in neuroendocrine cancer research and treatment over the past 20 years and celebrated the role NETRF has played in driving that progress.
Looking ahead, the meeting showcased clear momentum toward more personalized and effective treatments, with Board of Scientific Advisors member Iacovos Michael, PhD, speaking to the bright future of neuroendocrine cancer research, which promises novel immunotherapies, biomarker-guided treatments, drug repurposing, and more.
Early Detection: Tanya Stoyanova, PhD, is advancing UCHL1 as a blood-based biomarker and potential therapeutic target, work that could support earlier diagnosis and more informed treatment decisions for patients with gastroenteropancreatic NETs.
New Therapeutic Development: Xavier Keutgen, MD, translated NETRF-funded laboratory findings into a clinical trial testing a promising combination of fulvestrant and radiation-based therapy for neuroendocrine tumors.
Precision Medicine: Aatur Singhi, MD, PhD, identified BEND2 fusions and other genetic signatures linked to more aggressive pancreatic NETs, helping move the field toward more precise risk prediction and personalized care.
For 20 years, NETRF has centered its patient education efforts on a simple but powerful principle: it all starts with the patient voice. By listening deeply to the needs and lived experiences of the neuroendocrine cancer community, we’ve created accessible, empathetic resources that empower patients and caregivers. Over the years, we have educated thousands of patients through our patient education conferences, the NET Guide, NETWise podcasts, NET Knowledge Center web portal, and Thrivership series.
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Jamie Metzl
Caregiver, Author and Healthcare Futurist
“I’m a learner, and my first instinct is always just to dive in. So I immediately found the resources on the NETRF website invaluable.”
This momentum is allowing us to grow our research portfolio, support more bold ideas, and, importantly, unlock the Early Detection pillar of our Research Roadmap through a dedicated Request for Applications.
Behind every gift is a story.
A diagnosis. A loved one. A moment that changed everything.
Our community of supporters comes together for many different reasons -- but they are united by a shared belief: that advancing neuroendocrine cancer research will change lives.
Because of this collective commitment, real progress is happening.
This is how breakthroughs happen -- not all at once, but because a community comes together with urgency, purpose, and hope.
We are deeply grateful to each and every person who is part of this effort.
Every story is different. Every reason to give is deeply personal. And each one is helping to move this work forward.
Abby Griffin
Patient | Donor
Why I Give:
“I want to turn my challenging experience with neuroendocrine cancer into something positive and impactful. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against this disease.”
Jacky Duong
Patient | Donor
Why I Give:
“I give for my tomorrow.”
NETRF proudly recognizes our Founders Society members— visionary donors who have contributed annually for 15 years or more. Their unwavering commitment has laid the foundation for the breakthroughs we are achieving today and the cures we are working toward tomorrow. We are profoundly grateful for their enduring partnership in transforming the future of neuroendocrine cancer.
James Beatty
Karen Bopp & Elliott McEntee
Jeanette Concilio
Anne Doyle & James Stock
The Haas Family
Steve & Lisa Kaufer
Ed Peine
Victor Rhodes
Melissa Suman
Philip & Judith Wolf
As we honor two decades of discovery and progress, we are looking ahead to the future. NETRF is launching Breakthroughs Today, Cures Tomorrow— a $25 million campaign to accelerate advances in early detection, innovative therapies, and personalized care.
At NETRF, we fund the bold research in neuroendocrine cancer that no one else will. If we don’t fuel this research, it may never happen. We must continue the momentum toward new treatments and better patient outcomes.
Learn more about our new campaign and how you can be a part of it.
Todd Gilman, President
Julie Mebane, Vice President
Suzanne Ludlow, Secretary
Josh Mailman, Treasurer
Carrie Camino
Stephen Kaufer
Joe Li, MD
Laurie Littlepage, PhD
Laurie Rains
Antony Detre
Valorie Seyfert
Elaine Nord
