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UI receives grant to study neuroendocrine tumors

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Researchers at the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center have received a five-year, $10.67 million Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant to study neuroendocrine tumors. This is the first SPORE grant ever awarded to fund research on neuroendocrine tumors. SPORE grants are funded through the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Sue O’Dorisio, professor of pediatrics at UI Children’s Hospital, is the principal investigator on the SPORE.

Neuroendocrine tumors are slow-growing cancers that develop where the nervous and endocrine systems interact and are most commonly found in the small intestine, lungs, and pancreas. The Holden Family Endowment and UI Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Laboratories are also contributing to the research effort through the UI Foundation. In addition to Dr. O’Dorisio, other investigators include Drs. Thomas O’Dorisio, Yusuf Menda, Molly Martin, Dawn Quelle, Benjamin Darbro, Terry Braun, James Howe, Andrew Bellizzi, Michael Schultz, David Bushnell, Mark Madsen, Christopher Pigge, Michael Knudson, Chuck Lynch, Joseph Dillon, Douglas Spitz, Daniel Vaena, and Gideon Zamba.