Project title: Targeting the Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT) pathway in pancreatic NETs
Christopher Heaphy, PhD Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Status: Completed
- Year(s): 2016
- Grant Type: Collaborative
- Research Type: Basic
- Primary Tumor Site: Pancreas
- Area of Inquiry: Mapping NET dependencies
- Article/Video: Click Here
- Also seen in October 2016 eUpdate
General Description
To test the hypothesis that the underlying molecular mechanisms specifically unique to the ALT pathway can be exploited therapeutically, for example by treatment with inhibitors of the DNA damage response pathway.
Results
Molecular alterations, such as DAXX mutations, chromosomal gains, and ALT, are associated with an increased risk of metastasis in small PanNETs. Therefore, targeted sequencing and/or ALT analysis may help in the clinical decisions for these small PanNETs.
Publications
Pea A, Yu J, Marchionni L, Noe M, Luchini C, Pulvirenti A, de Wilde RF, Brosens LA, Rezaee N, Javed A, Gobbo S, Regi P, Salvia R, Bassi C, He J, Weiss MJ, Cameron JL, Offerhaus GJA, Hruban RH, Lawlor RT, Scarpa A, Heaphy CM, Wood LD, Wolfgang CL. Genetic analysis of small well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors identifies subgroups with differing risks of liver metastases. Ann Surg. 2018 Oct 17. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003022.
Heaphy CM, de Wilde RF, Jiao Y, et al. Altered telomeres in tumors with ATRX and DAXX mutations. Science. 2011;333(6041):425.
Additional Details
- City: Baltimore
- State: Maryland
- Grant Duration: 1 year
- Grant Partner: North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS)
- Sponsor: Margie & Robert E. Petersen Foundation
DISCLAIMER
NETRF funds laboratory research to understand the development of neuroendocrine tumors and translational research to explore new concepts in treatment. Research grant descriptions and research updates from NETRF are not intended to serve as medical advice. It can take years for research discoveries to be fully validated and approved for patient care. Always consult your health care providers about your treatment options.