Neuroendocrine tumors are the spectrum of tumors that range from well- to poorly-differentiated histology as well as indolent to aggressive behavior clinically. In this session, we focus on three subtypes of well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas including Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC), Carcinoid Tumors and Islet Cell Tumors. All of the three subtypes can occur as a part of hereditary syndromes in which molecular defects have been identified. Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma is one of the best characterized solid tumors at the genetic, molecular, biochemical and clinical levels. After nearly two decades since pivotal discovery of RET proto-oncogene in MTC, RET-targeted therapies in the MTC are now being tested in the clinic and hold tremendous promise in treatment of MTC. Similarly, key pathogenetic defects have been targeted in Carcinoid/Islet Cell Tumors and clinical trials are ongoing to test efficacy of such drugs in treatment of Carcinoid/Islet Cell Tumors. This session will review recent biologic and clinical research updates in MTC, Carcinoid and Islet Cell Tumors.
New Concepts in Organ Site Research: From Experimental Models to Targeted Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors

RET MEN2A modifier genes in a mouse model of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma; Giacomo Manenti. IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy

RET-targeted therapies in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma; Manisha H. Shah. The Ohio State Univ. Comp. Cancer Ctr., Columbus, OH

Oncogenic signaling in Neuroendocrine Tumors; Daniel C. Chung. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

mTOR-targeted therapies in Neuroendocrine Tumors; James C. Yao. UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Ctr., Houston, TX,