Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.8
4.4
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy
cancers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2026 | Viewed by 10900

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Beata Jabłońska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Digestive Tract Surgery, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Interests: gastrointestinal surgery; oncological surgery; vascular surgery; gastroenterology; angiology; oncology; nutritional status; nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from the diffuse neuroendocrine cell system. They occur in numerous different locations. Most frequently, NENs are located within the digestive tract and pancreas, followed by lungs and bronchi, and thymus, The other NEN locations include parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands. A specific group of NENs are pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) arising in the various locations of the paraganglion system. Most NENs are sporadic, while some of them are associated with inherited genetic syndromes. Depending on the differentation, NENs are divided into two subgroups: well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Depending on hormonal secretion, functional and non-functional NENs are distinguished. In patients with functional NENs, these tumors are manifested by a wide spectrum of clinical symptoms, including intermittent flushing and diarrhea, bronchospasm and wheezing, and hypertension, as well as signs secondary to the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, i.e., insulin, glucagon, gastrin, and other peptides. In diagnostics, laboratory biochemical tests as well as radiological anatomical (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and functional imaging (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, [18F]-FDG PET, [18F]-FDOPA PET) are used. Surgery is the treatment of choice for local or locoregional disease. The other treatment methods include stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), external beam radiotherapy (ERBT) and hypofractioned stereotactic radiotherapy (hSRT). In advanced and metastatic disease, systemic therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, somatostatin analogs (SSAs), radiometabolic therapy, as well as loco-regional procedures (cytoreductive surgery, external beam radiotherapy, arterial embolization, cryotherapy, RF ablation) are performed. Recently, both diagnostics and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms have been improved, including, i.a., molecular laboratory tests, targeted and immunological oncological therapy, as well as robot-assisted surgery. This Special Issue on “Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy” will focus on all aspects regarding laboratory diagnostics as well as surgical, pharmacological, immunological, and targeted treatment of these diseases. Original research and review papers related to all aspects of diagnostics and the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms are welcomed.

Dr. Beata Jabłońska
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neuroendocrine neoplasms
  • pathogenesis
  • diagnostics
  • therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

23 pages, 28029 KB  
Article
Analytical Validation of NETest2.0®, a Novel Multigene Blood-Based Molecular Assay for Neuroendocrine Tumors
by Mark Kidd, Srinivas V. Koduru and Abdel Halim
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111719 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 181
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Blood-based RNA diagnostics requires rigorous analytical validation prior to clinical implementation. NETest2.0® is a machine learning-enhanced 55-gene mRNA assay designed to detect neuroendocrine tumor (NET)-associated gene expression signatures in peripheral blood. Methods: Analytical performance was evaluated in accordance with [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Blood-based RNA diagnostics requires rigorous analytical validation prior to clinical implementation. NETest2.0® is a machine learning-enhanced 55-gene mRNA assay designed to detect neuroendocrine tumor (NET)-associated gene expression signatures in peripheral blood. Methods: Analytical performance was evaluated in accordance with CLSI EP05, EP06, EP07, and EP17 guidelines and ISTA 7D 2007 standards. Accuracy was assessed in 973 samples (568 NETs, 219 non-NET cancers, 186 controls). Precision, sensitivity, linearity, and specificity were evaluated using cell line-spiked blood, patient samples, and interference testing. Stability and robustness were assessed under varying storage and transport conditions. Results: NETest2.0® demonstrated > 90% diagnostic accuracy. All transcripts were consistently amplified (Ct < 35; mean efficiency 1.94). Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were 0.56% (Ct) and 2.07% (score), while inter-assay CVs were 4.12% and 6.85%, respectively. High concordance across operators and instruments was observed (r = 0.82–0.94, p < 0.0001). The limit of detection was 2.2 cells/mL RNA-equivalent, with 95% detection at 2.29 cells/mL; the limit of quantification was 8.6 cells/mL. Assay output was linear across defined ranges and unaffected by endogenous or exogenous interferents. No associations were identified with demographic, hematologic, renal, or hepatic variables. Samples remained stable at ambient temperature for up to 10 days and at −80 °C for up to 5 years, with no impact from shipping conditions. Conclusions: NETest2.0® demonstrates high analytical sensitivity, precision, and robustness, supporting its validity for clinical application in NET management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 8559 KB  
Article
Clinical Validity of NETest2.0® in Surveillance of Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients: Evidence from a NET Registry Study (NCT02270567)
by Anthony Gulati, Diane Reidy, Abdel Halim, Kiarash Mashayekhi, David K. Imagawa and Daniel M. Halperin
Cancers 2026, 18(9), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18091457 - 1 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 710
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The NETest is a blood-based, machine learning-enhanced multigene transcript assay designed to detect and monitor neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This study evaluated the accuracy of the recently validated NETest2.0® (2025) to (1) detect the presence of disease and (2) assess its utility [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The NETest is a blood-based, machine learning-enhanced multigene transcript assay designed to detect and monitor neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This study evaluated the accuracy of the recently validated NETest2.0® (2025) to (1) detect the presence of disease and (2) assess its utility as a clinically meaningful tool for monitoring NET status across diverse patient cohorts, including post-surgical surveillance, observation (“watch-and-wait”), and treatment settings. Methods: This registry study (NCT02270567) evaluated two objectives. For Objective 1, 1290 samples from 886 patients, of which 404 had paired follow-up samples, were analyzed for concordance between NETest2.0® and imaging-detectable disease. For Objective 2, paired blood samples (n = 404; median interval 7 months [IQR 4–13.8]) from NET patients across specialized centers were assessed. NETest2.0® scores were correlated with clinically adjudicated disease status using imaging as the comparator. Cohorts included post-surgical residual disease detection (n = 71), post-surgical recurrence monitoring (n = 44), observation (n = 72), and treatment monitoring (n = 217; somatostatin analogs, PRRT, and other therapies). Analyses were performed by cohort and in aggregate. Results: For Objective 1, NETest2.0® (cut-off ≥ 50) demonstrated an AUC of 0.96, sensitivity of 91.9%, specificity of 94.9%, PPV of 98.4%, NPV of 77.1%, and overall accuracy of 92.5%. Performance was consistent across tumor grades and sites. For Objective 2, 286 patients (70.8%) were stable, and 118 (29.2%) had progression or recurrence. NETest2.0® score changes correlated significantly with outcomes: scores decreased in stable patients (median −14.6%) and increased in progressive disease (median + 15.4%; p < 0.0001). Any increase (>0%) in score was associated with progression. Diagnostic performance for detecting progression reached a sensitivity of 78.0%, specificity of 98.3%, PPV of 91.1%, NPV of 90.2%, and accuracy of 83.9%. Conclusions: NETest2.0® accurately detects disease and provides a clinically actionable tool for monitoring NETs. Its high specificity and predictive performance support risk-adapted surveillance, potentially reducing unnecessary imaging while identifying early progression across diverse clinical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

42 pages, 19095 KB  
Review
Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas—Current Management
by Adam Brewczyński, Agnieszka Kolasińska-Ćwikła, Beata Jabłońska and Lucjan Wyrwicz
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17061029 - 19 Mar 2025
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 9345
Abstract
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are infrequent neuroendocrine hypervascular neoplasms arising within different sites of the paraganglion system. They are divided into sympathetic (including pheochromocytomas and extraadrenal paragangliomas) and parasympathetic extraadrenal tumors. These tumors are usually not malignant and grow slowly; about 90% of [...] Read more.
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are infrequent neuroendocrine hypervascular neoplasms arising within different sites of the paraganglion system. They are divided into sympathetic (including pheochromocytomas and extraadrenal paragangliomas) and parasympathetic extraadrenal tumors. These tumors are usually not malignant and grow slowly; about 90% of them are found in the adrenal paraganglia (pheochromocytomas). Extraadrenal tumors are most frequently located in the abdominal cavity (85%), followed by the thoracic cavity (12%), and head and neck (3%). About 25% of PPGLs are related to germline mutations, which are risk factors for multifocal and metastatic disease. In PPGL diagnostics, laboratory, biochemical, and imaging (anatomical and functional) examinations are used. Surgery is the standard management choice for locoregional disease. For patients who are not candidates for surgery and who have stable, not-growing, or slow-growing tumors, active observation or other less invasive techniques (i.e., stereotactic surgery, hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy) are considered. In metastatic disease, systemic therapies (tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs], mTORC1 inhibitor everolimus, immunotherapy, cold somatostatin analogs [biotherapy], and radioligand therapy) are used. The prognosis for PPGLs is quite good, and the 5-year survival rate is >90%. The goal of this paper is to review knowledge on the etiopathogenesis, current diagnostics, and therapy for PPGL patients. Our paper is particularly focused on the current management of PPGLs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop