Neuroendocrine Cancer Research

The neuroendocrine system is made up of endocrine cells and tissues which have neurosecretory granules and unique immunohistochemical features such as expression of chromogranin and synaptophysin. These cells are distributed throughout the body. There is a close connection between the neuroendocrine cells with the nervous system which shares many morphologic and histopathologic features in common. Both systems produce hormones and protein that affect neighboring cells. ancers that arise in the neuroendocrine system are widely distributed throughout the body. Some of the major sites include neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs, gastrointestinal tracts including small and large intestine, stomach, and pancreatic islets, and other locations including parathyroid, adrenals and pituitary. Neuroendocrine cancers may be functional in which they produce large amounts of hormones. However, in many cases, these tumors are nonfunctional.

Neuroendocrine cancers are uncommon, but serious disease. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center scientists are actively studying neuroendocrine cancers by imaging technologies which can improve the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors and help to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Investigators at Mayo Clinic have played key leadership roles in the establishment and implementation of research programs in neuroendocrine disorders. For example, there have been extensive studies of carcinoid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Several clinical trials such as the MC044h Phase II trial to treat patients with metastatic carcinoid and the Phase II trial of gefitinib in patients with progressive metastatic disease have been led by Timothy Hobday, M.D. Basic studies of carcinoid tumors of the intestine have also been done to understand the molecular biology of tumor development and progression. Areas of investigation include:

• Treatment of carcinoid tumors in patients with progressive metastatic disease using targeted therapies
• Molecular studies of carcinoid tumor pathogenesis and the role of methylation in tumor progression
• Pathophysiology of neuroendocrine disorders
• The relationship between nutritional disorders and neuroendocrine factors
• Development of novel therapy for patients with pituitary and hypothalamic disorders
• Basic molecular mechanisms regulating pituitary tumor development and progression