An insightful conference “The Biology, Diagnosis and Treatment of NETs: Current Understanding and Research Priorities” took place in Bari, Italy, on June 6th, 2024. The event, organized by the University of Bari Aldo Moro, gathered leading international NET experts and patient advocates.
Dr. Mauro Cives, Senior Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at the Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine of the University of Bari Aldo Moro, explained the goal of the cooperation between researchers and patients: “The molecular understanding of neuroendocrine neoplasms is improving, and that is particularly important because this is the only way we can ultimately find a cure for this cancer. Clinical practice is rapidly evolving with new agents being incorporated, the development of new radioligand therapy strategies, and immunotherapy strategies in particular BiTEs (Bispecific T-cell engagers) seem very promising. I think that it is crucial to fill the gap in the current system between basic researchers and basic research and patients. This is our key unmet need we have in our field; we need frequent communication between patients and researchers and we need to avoid doing research that cannot have an impact on patients.”
Dr. Cives presented groundbreaking information that can help understand how immune cells work in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Lab discoveries provide insight on the tumor immune microenvironment and how it can be targeted with therapies. Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system in order to attack cancer cells. The currently available immunotherapy options are not as effective for the well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, while these may work for some patients with neuroendocrine carcinomas. Dr. Cives and his team’s research involves tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, which is a type of cellular immunotherapy that is trying to understand how the immune cells can attack the cancer cells, in a personalized approach. Such research results can potentially change the life of patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and maybe even cure these patients.
Dr. Jaydira Del Rivero, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health in the USA, shared: “What was very impactful to me was the fact that we wanted to involve patient and patient advocates in every aspect of what we do, not only from the research perspective, but in terms of developing clinical studies and clinical trials. It is crucial that we bring everyone together – patient advocates, researchers, and physicians. It is truly inspiring to see such a productive partnership moving forward, and I’m very excited to see what comes next.”
The conference day wrapped up with an engaged discussion on patient needs and priorities, which again asserted the instrumental role of active patient input in research design. INCA Executive Director Teodora Kolarova and NET Italy ETS President Maria-Luisa Draghetti and NET Italy ETS Vice-President Simona Barbi had the privilege of voicing the patient expectations and challenges, as well as highlighting the continued global and local effort to raise awareness and improve understanding of neuroendocrine tumors both among the general public and the medical profession. The discussion was a rewarding experience of tangibly sensing the power of collaboration between experts and patient advocates towards a common purpose. It was unanimously agreed that it is only by working in synergy that sustainable change can be achieved.
Look at the conference program (pdf)
In the photo: (left to right): Rocco Virelli (AIMEN 1 and 2), Teodora Kolarova (INCA), Dr. Mauro Cives (University of Bari), Simona Barbi (NET Italy ETS), Luciano Licciardello (NET Italy ETS), Maria-Luisa Draghetti (NET Italy ETS), Dr. Carlo Carnaghe (Humanitas Istituto Clinico Catanese).
