2025 Highlights in Neuroendocrine Cancer
- NCF Team
- Dec 25, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
2025 was a year of meaningful progress in neuroendocrine cancer. New treatments, new clinical trial data, and expanded research efforts continue to improve care for people living with diverse neuroendocrine cancers including neuroendocrine tumor (NET), neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Below is an overview of some of the most important developments of the year.
Year-in-Review: NET and NEC Updates
Dr. Udhay Grewal summarizes major advances from conferences and clinical trials across the NET and NEC landscape.
Key Advances
Continued progress in alpha PRRT, including completion of the ACTION 1 Actinium 225 trial.
FDA approval of belzutifan for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
Promising results from DLL3 targeted therapies for high grade NEC.
Ongoing development of tri-specific antibodies and DLL3 radioligand therapies.
New Developments in Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
2025 brought several promising updates for patients with well-differentiated NETs. Dr. Aman Chauhan highlights the following:
Key Advances
Paltusotine:Â A once-daily pill being studied for carcinoid syndrome.
Alpha PRRT:Â Early activity seen with Lead-212 and Actinium-225 therapies.
Combination PRRT:Â Triapine plus Lutetium-177 shows encouraging safety and early effectiveness.
New targeted therapy:Â Zanzalintinib is being evaluated as a next-generation VEGF inhibitor.
New Developments in Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (NEC)
High-grade NEC has historically had fewer treatment options, but 2025 delivered real momentum. Dr. Aman Chauhan discusses the following:
Key Advances
DLL3 T-cell engagers:Â Including tarlatamab and the investigational drug obrixtamig.
Oncolytic virus therapy:Â Seneca Valley Virus combined with immunotherapy is being studied.
DLL3 radiopharmaceuticals:Â New therapies under development that may bring theranostics to NEC.
COMPETE Trial Results Presented at ENETS 2025
At the ENETS Congress in March 2025, NANETS President Emeritus Dr. Halfdanarson explained key results from the COMPETE phase 3 trial comparing PRRT Lu 177 DOTATOC with everolimus. He also discusses what it means for patients.
Key Takeaways
PRRT was more effective than everolimus in delaying tumor growth.
Side effects were expected and consistent with previously known PRRT safety.
Quality-of-life data are pending, but past studies suggest favorable outcomes.
Everolimus remains an important option. The goal is ensuring patients receive all effective treatments over time.
2025 Highlights and Future Directions from NANETS President Dr. Jennifer Chan
At the September 2025 INCA Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria, NANETS President, Dr. Jennifer Chan reflected on the progress of the past year and shared what she is most excited about for the future:
Key Highlights
Cabozantinib approvalÂ
Dr. Chan discussed the impact of cabozantinib’s approval for both pancreatic and extra pancreatic NETs and described how this expands treatment access for patients worldwide.
Belzutifan approval for PPGLÂ
She highlighted the approval of belzutifan as a major step forward for people with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
Broader research momentumÂ
Growth in the number of physicians, scientists, and centers engaged in NET and NEC research has transformed the field.
Upcoming trial readoutsÂ
Dr. Chan emphasized the importance of recently completed studies, including COMPETE, and expressed enthusiasm for ongoing alpha PRRT studies and other next generation therapies.
Cabozantinib Results Highlighted at ESMO 2025
In October 2025, new subgroup data on lung and thymic NET from the CABINET study were presented at ESMO. This followed the FDA approval of cabozantinib in March 2025. Dr. Aman Chauhan explains what this means for patients:
Key Takeaways
Strong benefit seen in lung NETs, including typical and atypical carcinoids.
Activity observed in higher grade well-differentiated NETs.
An important treatment option for people who are not eligible for PRRT or somatostatin analogs.
NANETS 2025: Top 12 Highlights
Our Neuroendocrine Cancer Foundation podcast with Dr. Will Pegna offers an easy-to-understand review of the most important updates from the 2025 NANETS symposium.
Bridging Inequities in Neuroendocrine Cancer Care
A meaningful highlight of 2025 was the growing recognition of inequities in neuroendocrine cancer care and the expanding commitment across the field to address them. Dr. Grewal, who was honored with the inaugural NANETS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, shared why this work is essential and how patients and advocates can help drive meaningful change.
Key Insights
Many patients seen in everyday practice do not resemble those typically enrolled in clinical trials.
Racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as rural patients, often face major barriers to receiving standard of care treatment and participating in research.
Recent studies highlight disparities in clinical trial enrollment and end-of-life care, including lower access to palliative care among Black patients.
Researchers are using NETPRO and other datasets to better understand gaps and inform future solutions.
Why This Matters
Dr. Udhay Grewal emphasized that progress is meaningful only when it reaches everyone who needs it. As new therapies emerge, ensuring equitable access is essential.
How Patients and Caregivers Can Help
Get involved in advocacy and awareness efforts.
Share your experiences to help shape research and improve care.
Partner with organizations like NCF, NANETS, and ASCO to support equity-focused initiatives.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We look forward to the launch of new clinical trials and the results of several important ongoing studies, including those evaluating combination PRRT strategies, multiple alpha PRRT agents, DLL3-targeted therapies, and new oral treatment options.
Progress is accelerating, and as research expands, so do the treatment options and sources of hope available to patients. As our speakers emphasized, meaningful advances are happening. There is real reason to be hopeful. And together, we can continue to move the field forward.
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