"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
A study looking at the immune system for people with neuroendocrine tumours (IMMUNET)
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Carcinoid
Neuroendocrine tumour (NET)
Status:
Closed
Phase:
Other
This study is trying to understand more about how the immune system works in people with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).
Doctors want to use this information to see whether a type of cancer treatment called immunotherapy can help people with this disease.
More about this trial
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare cancers that start in neuroendocrine cells. They often develop slowly over some years. Neuroendocrine cells are part of our neuroendocrine system. They make hormones that control how our bodies work.
We know that some cancers are affected by how the 
works. For these cancers, immunotherapy treatment can help the immune system to recognise and attack the cancer. But so far, only a small number of people benefit from immunotherapy.
Doctors would like to learn more about how the immune system works in people with NETs. They hope this information will help them to develop clinical trials with immunotherapy for people with NETs.
Being part of this study won’t affect the treatment you have – you will have the standard treatment for your cancer. You won’t have any direct benefit from taking part in this study, but it might help doctors decide how to treat people with NETs in the future.
Who can enter
The following bullet points list the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:
- have a NET
- are at least 18 years old
- are well enough to be up and about for at least half the day (performance status 0 to 2)
Who can’t take part
You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have any other medical condition that the trial team think could affect you taking part
Trial design
Researchers need around 100 people to join this study. Everyone taking part:
- gives a tissue sample
- has a blood test
- give the research team permission to store any tissue left over (doctors want to use it in future research studies)
Doctors will ask to take a tissue sample of your cancer when you’re having your operation to remove the tumour. You need to have a biopsy if you are not going to have surgery.
if you are not going to have surgery. You also have an extra blood test. If possible, you have it at the same time you have other blood tests that are part of your normal care.
Hospital visits
Where possible, you give the tissue sample and have the blood test at the same time you are having other tests and treatments.
The trial team will tell you if you need to make any extra hospital visits.
Side effects
Having a blood test can be uncomfortable and cause a bruise where the needle is put into your vein.
You may also have side effects if you have a biopsy. The possible side effects of having a biopsy include:
- bleeding
- damage to a nearby organ
- pain
The trial team will tell you about all the possible side effects before you start this study.
We have more information about the possible side effects of surgery.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Professor Tim Meyer
Supported by
University College London (UCL)
University College London Cancer Institute
Neuroendocrine Research Foundation (NETRF)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
15506
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
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