Hadassah Medical Center
Early Career Development Grant

Congratulations to Haggi Mazeh, MD! His research proposal "The Role of Notch 1, 2 and 3 in Neuroendocrine Tumors” will address the need for development of other forms of therapy for NET cancers by characterizing the roles of the Notch isoforms in regulating NE cancer cell growth and hormone secretion.

On behalf of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) it is a pleasure to announce his selection as the recipient of one of our 2010 Young Investigator grants in the amount of $50,000. Following is Dr. Mazeh's summary of his project:

"It has previously been shown that Notch 1 markedly suppresses NE tumor cell growth and hormone production. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Notch 2 & 3 in regulating NE cancer proliferation and hormone secretion in vitro. Furthermore, the affects of Notch 2 & 3 activation on NE cancer progression and hormone production in vivo will be determined. "
Due to the current shortage of young scientists focused on the clinical investigation of neuroendocrine tumors, we created this grant to encourage physicians, at the end of their fellowship or beginning of their faculty appointment, to pursue clinical or translational research in this field. Dr. Mazeh's application was well written and his research plan has the capability of producing results that would make significant contributions to NET research and lead to a productive career in neuroendocrine tumors.

In addition, we want to acknowledge the Novarits Oncology for funding this grant. Their continued support and commitment to assist NANETS in fulfilling our mission is critical to the success of the NANETS organization. This collaborative partnership and their assistance in funding research will continue to make a positive impact in improving the lives of people with carcinoid/NET cancers.

Dr. Mazeh will be presenting developments from this research project at the NANETS annual meeting in 2011.

Cancer Care Northwest
Young Investigator Grant

Congratulations to Mei Dong, MD, PhD. On behalf of The North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) it is a pleasure to announce the selection of Mei Dong, MD, PhD as the recipient of one of the 2010 Young Investigator awards in the amount of $50,000.

Her research proposal, entitled “Role of Hedgehog Pathway in Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumorigenesis" is focusing on the well-known premise that a significant amount of patients with NETs may have harbored the slow-growing lesions since a very young age, which suggests it could result from alterations of pathways involved in development. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been found to be important in embryonic patterning, stem cell maintenance and tissue repair; and is normally silenced in most mature adult tissue. This innovative strategy will investigate this signaling pathway as a target in the tumorigenesis of NETs and their development.

"The goal of the proposed project is to study the role of Hedgehog signaling pathway in neuroendocrine tumorigenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target,” said Dr. Dong.

More broadly, the Young Investigator Award helps address a current shortage of young scientists focused on the investigation of neuroendocrine tumors and is open to investigators at the end of their fellowship or beginning of their faculty appointment.

This award is supported by Ipsen with the goal to improve patient outcomes in NETs. This collaborative partnership and the assistance of Ipsen in funding research will be a critical component of improving the lives of people with carcinoid/NET cancers.

Dr. Dong will be presenting developments from this research project at the NANETS annual meeting in 2011.