Research funded
by Neuroendocrine Cancer UK
Applications for Neuroendocrine Cancer UK research grants are currently closed.
Research is essential to improving our understanding of neuroendocrine cancer and finding better ways to diagnose, treat and care for people affected by the disease. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Neuroendocrine Cancer UK has funded a wide range of research projects aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life.
Our funding supports a wide range of research projects, from laboratory studies exploring how neuroendocrine cancers develop to projects aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and patient care. We also invest in partnerships and initiatives that help identify research priorities, strengthen research networks and support future studies.
Below, you can explore the research projects and initiatives we've supported over the years.
Research projects and initiatives we've supported
Using AI to improve diagnosis and treatment decisions for small intestinal NETs
Dr Tu Vinh Luong | Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust | 2026
Tests to identify certain proteins in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can help guide treatment decisions, but access to specialist scans may be limited. This project was funded to investigate whether artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to analyse routine biopsy samples and predict the presence of these proteins, potentially reducing delays and helping patients receive appropriate treatment sooner.
Improving preparation for heart surgery in people with carcinoid heart disease
Dr Felicity Williams | Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham | 2026
Carcinoid heart disease is a serious complication of neuroendocrine tumours caused by damage to heart valves. It can lead to debilitating symptoms, limit access to cancer treatments, and reduce life expectancy sometimes requiring surgery. However, patients may not be fit enough to undergo an operation. This project was funded to assess whether a programme of exercise and nutritional support before surgery could improve patients’ fitness, recovery and outcomes.
Identifying potential new treatment targets for neuroendocrine carcinoma
Professor Martyn Caplin | Royal Free Hospital and University College London Hospital | 2026
Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a rare, fast-growing cancer with limited treatment options. This research is based on the idea that NECs from different parts of the body may share common genetic abnormalities. This study received funding to analyse gene activity in individual cancer cells from tumours arising in different parts of the body, with the aim of identifying shared characteristics and potential targets for new treatments.
Understanding how hospital setting affects surgical outcomes
Mohamed Mortagy | Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust | 2026
Surgery for small intestinal NETs and carcinoid heart disease can be complex, but there is limited evidence about which hospital settings offer the best outcomes. This project was funded to analyse national patient data and investigate how hospital size and other factors might affect survival and complications, helping to inform future referral pathways and surgical care.
Identifying research priorities in neuroendocrine cancer
Professor Samuel Ford and Klaire Exarchou | Neuroendocrine Cancer UK and UKINETS | 2025
Neuroendocrine cancer research has many unanswered questions about diagnosis, treatment and care. This partnership was established to bring together patients, carers and healthcare professionals to identify and prioritise the questions that matter most to them. Working with the James Lind Alliance, the initiative was designed to help guide future research and ensure that funding is directed towards areas of greatest need. The top 10 neuroendocrine cancer research priorities were agreed in July 2026.
Understanding scar tissue and tumour growth in small intestinal NETs
Professor Krista Rombouts | Royal Free Hospital, London | 2024
Some people with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) develop scar tissue in the abdomen, which can cause complications and be difficult to treat. This project was funded to develop and study a laboratory model using human cancer cells and surrounding tissue, to better understand how scar tissue forms and identify potential targets for treatments that could limit scar tissue formation and tumour growth.
Using blood tests to improve the diagnosis of neuroendocrine cancer
Dr Melissa Frizziero | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester | 2024
Diagnosing neuroendocrine cancer and identifying its subtype can be challenging, particularly when tissue biopsies are difficult to perform or provide only a small sample. This project was funded to investigate whether analysing tumour-related DNA in blood samples could offer a less invasive way to improve diagnosis and help guide treatment decisions.
Using AI to predict response to radioligand therapy
Professor Rohini Sharma | Imperial College London | 2024
Not everyone with a neuroendocrine tumour benefits from peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). This project was funded to investigate whether artificial intelligence (AI) could analyse routine scans to predict which patients were most likely to respond to treatment, helping to guide treatment decisions and avoid unnecessary treatment.
This grant was awarded in memory of Azmat Amin, whose family and friends raised funds to support neuroendocrine cancer research following her death in 2023.
Advancing surgical research in neuroendocrine cancer
Mr Samuel Ford | Royal College of Surgeons partnership | 2024
Neuroendocrine Cancer UK supported the establishment of a dedicated Surgical Specialty Lead role for neuroendocrine cancer, which has strengthened research networks, developing clinical trials and supporting new researchers. The initiative will also explore the potential benefits and risks of surgery for people with advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), to help inform future treatment decisions.
Improving access to dietary advice for people with neuroendocrine cancer
Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield | 2023
People with neuroendocrine cancer may experience dietary difficulties and symptoms that require specialist advice, but access to specialist dietitians is limited. This project was funded to pilot group education sessions delivered by a specialist dietitian, nurse and doctor, exploring whether this approach could improve patient support and potentially be introduced at other centres.
Improving long-term NET care through specialist nurse clinics and a patient app
The Royal Marsden Hospital, London | 2023
People living with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) often need long-term monitoring, treatment and support. This project was funded to evaluate a new care pathway combining advanced nurse practitioner-led clinics with the MyMarsden app, giving patients easier access to information, test results and communication with their specialist team. The study was designed to assess whether this approach could improve patients’ quality of life and potentially be adopted more widely.
Understanding the role of gene splicing in small intestinal NETs
Dr Garan Jones | University of Exeter | 2022
Alternative splicing is a process that allows a single gene to produce different forms of a protein. Changes in this process have been linked to the development of other cancers. This project was funded to investigate whether alternative splicing also plays a role in the development of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), using advanced technology to analyse genetic activity in tumour cells.
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