Neuroendocrine Tumor Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Human Cancer

描述(由申请人提供)：罕见肿瘤面临着几个挑战，包括缺乏基于证据的治疗建议，保险公司不愿支持未经证实的治疗方法，以及对可能只使一小部分癌症患者受益的转化性研究支持的激烈竞争。本提案中针对的神经内分泌肿瘤(Net)是面临所有这些挑战的罕见肿瘤。Net源于弥漫的神经内分泌系统，在成人和儿童中都存在，在美国的发病率和流行率都在增加。爱荷华大学是美国为数不多的对NETs患者进行全面诊断、治疗和定期跟踪的学术或私人机构之一。一个多学科的网络诊所，一个IRB批准的注册和数据库，以及一个不断增长的翻译研究项目都设在爱荷华大学。我们与制药和生物技术公司、患者支持团体和其他研究机构合作，他们的专业知识与我们的临床和翻译专业知识相辅相成，建立了神经内分泌肿瘤卓越中心。爱荷华州准备在神经内分泌肿瘤中容纳第一个孢子，学术、行业和慈善组织将与NCI合作，为这些独特的患者延长时间和提高生活质量。我们的总体目标是：1.支持神经内分泌肿瘤的创新翻译研究。2.通过互动核心为翻译调查人员提供支持。3.通过发展项目和职业发展，招募和鼓励神经内分泌肿瘤方面的新的翻译研究人员。4.通过接触医生和倡导团体，促进早期和准确的诊断。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Rare tumors present several challenges, including lack of evidence based treatment recommendations, unwillingness of insurance companies to support unproven therapies, and keen competition for translational research support that may benefit only a small proportion of all cancer patients. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) targeted in this proposal are rare tumors that face all of these challenges. NETs arise from the diffuse neuroendocrine system, occur in both adults and children, and are increasing in both incidence and prevalence in the United States. The University of Iowa is one of only a handful of academic or private institutions in the US where patients with NETs are diagnosed, treated, and regularly followed in a comprehensive manner. A multi-disciplinary NET clinic, an IRB approved registry and database, and a growing translational research program are housed at the University of Iowa. We have collaborated with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, patient support groups, and other research institutions whose expertise complements our clinical and translational expertise, to build a neuroendocrine tumor Center of Excellence. Iowa is poised to house the first SPORE in neuroendocrine tumors where academic, industry, and philanthropic organizations will partner with NCI to increase the length and quality of life for these unique patients. Our Overall Specific Aims are: 1. Support innovative translational research in Neuroendocrine Tumors. 2. Provide support to translational investigators through interactive cores. 3. Enlist and encourage new translational researchers in neuroendocrine tumors through developmental projects and career development. 4. Promote early and accurate diagnosis through outreach to physicians and advocacy groups.