CONTROL NETs
This study has opened in Australia for patients with advanced low or intermediate grade neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). These are uncommon tumours in the gastrointestinal tract which occur particularly in the pancreas or the midgut. Those from each site will be studied separately within the study. In Australia patients may be treated with PRRT, which involves giving a radioactive compound by vein which then targets onto the tumour cells. In the study, for the midgut NETs, they will compare giving PRRT alone with also giving tablet chemotherapy, which will be a combination of capecitabine and temozolomide (called CAPTEM for short). For the pancreatic NETs, the study will compare capecitabine/temozolomide chemotherapy alone with adding PRRT to it. At this stage New Zealand patients will not be able to participate, unless PRRT becomes available. So far, each of these treatments are used in some patients, but there has been very little evidence from trials evaluating them against each other, to help choose the best approach.

A huge Thank You to Iris Franks and her family who raised $3,850 through their Santa House for GICI. A great effort and a great way to start 2016.

Neuroendocrine Tumour Group Established!
Representatives from Australia, New Zealand and Canada met for the first major project of the Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Group (CommNETS). This collaborative two day meeting was a result of discussions at several international conferences between the organising committee members about the need for countries with common interests, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, to unite to address issues in research and treatment of patients with Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). To see more click here.