Project title: Uncovering metaplastic transitions to improve classification of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs)
Kirsten Kübler, MD, PhD Berlin Institute of Health at Charité
- Status: Active
- Year(s): 2025
- Grant Type: Pilot
- Research Type: Translational
- Primary Tumor Site: Pancreas
- Area of Inquiry: Diagnostic, Biomarkers, Uncovering the molecular and genetic basis of NETs
What critical neuroendocrine cancer problem/question will researchers try to answer?
Some pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors grow slowly, while others are aggressive and difficult to treat. A major challenge is predicting which tumors will become aggressive so doctors can choose the best treatment early.
Why is this important?
Understanding this process could guide the discovery of biomarkers to improve diagnosis and treatment.
What will the researchers do?
Our research has found that a subset of pancreatic NENs undergoes a process called metaplasia, where cells change their identity over time. When this happens, the tumors tend to become more aggressive and may not respond well to standard treatments. To better understand the process of metaplasia in PanNENs, the team will perform detailed molecular studies of these tumors and look for biomarkers for metaplasia.
How might this improve the treatment of neuroendocrine cancer?
By uncovering how metaplasia drives aggressiveness, this project could improve diagnosis, help doctors match patients with the right treatments sooner, and ultimately lead to better outcomes and more personalized care for people with pancreatic NENs.
Additional Details
- City: Berlin
- Country: Germany
- Grant Duration: 1 year
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.