Mission

The University of Iowa and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center houses the first and only Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors where academic, industry, and philanthropic organizations will partner with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to increase the length and quality of life for children and adults with these rare cancers. 

Our SPORE team welcomes patients and their families to visit our website to learn more about carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors as well as to inquire about their particular disease process. We focus on highly individualized diagnosis and treatment. Our SPORE team also welcomes other basic scientists, clinical investigators, health care professionals and members of the health care industry to visit our site and to work with us to accomplish our mission.

The National Cancer Institute has awarded specialized programs of research excellence (SPORE) funding to the University of Iowa to tackle the three major groups of neuroendocrine tumor (NET): lung NET (project 1); pancreatic NET (project 2); small bowel NET (project 3) with additional funds for developmental projects and for support of new investigators in the NET field.  Forty-three investigators  have access to specialized techniques and services provided by NET experts in the cores with an administrative core to guide all investigators in making the best use of taxpayer money.  Investigators also have access to state-of-the-art equipment and services provided by the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa.

NET SPORE investigators working with small tech and pharma companies are bringing new treatments to the clinic for patients with neuroendocrine tumors of lung, small bowel, and pancreas.  These innovative new therapies target multiple survival pathways simultaneously to kill neuroendocrine tumor cells.

NET SPORE investigators collaborate widely with investigators at universities and small businesses around the world in order to improve care for patients with neuroendocrine tumors and ultimately to improve their quality of life.