Udhayvir Grewal: Highlighting the ‘Missing Piece of the Puzzle’ in Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Classification – Oncodaily

Report on Innovations in Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Classification and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A commentary authored by Udhayvir S. Grewal, Calisia N. Clarke, and Razelle Kurzrock, published in Med Cell Press, identifies significant limitations in the current classification systems for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs). The report advocates for the integration of individual molecular tumor profiling to advance diagnostic and treatment paradigms. This proposed innovation aligns directly with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those focused on health, innovation, and reducing inequalities.

Analysis of Current Classification Deficiencies

The authors report that existing NEN classification frameworks are insufficient for capturing the diversity of patient outcomes. These systems are primarily based on a limited set of criteria:

• Morphology
• Site of origin
• Ki-67 proliferation indices

This reliance on broad categories often fails to provide the precision needed for effective, individualized patient care, thereby hindering progress toward universal health coverage as outlined in the SDGs.

Proposed Innovation: Molecular Tumor Profiling

The central thesis of the commentary is the need to incorporate individual molecular tumor portraits as a cornerstone of NEN diagnosis and treatment. This shift towards precision medicine is presented as the critical “missing piece” required to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. By tailoring treatments to the specific molecular makeup of a tumor, this approach promises to improve health outcomes significantly.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The advancement proposed in the commentary makes substantial contributions to several Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By aiming to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnostics and the efficacy of treatments, this research directly supports the global effort to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and ensure healthy lives for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The call to adopt molecular profiling fosters scientific innovation and encourages the enhancement of technological capabilities within the healthcare sector. This aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization through advanced research.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: A personalized medicine approach can help mitigate health disparities. By moving beyond generalized classifications, molecular portraits can lead to more equitable and effective treatment outcomes across diverse patient populations, addressing a key target of reducing inequality within and among countries.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration among the authors, including Udhayvir Grewal of Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and his mentors, highlights the importance of scientific and institutional partnerships in achieving global goals for health and innovation.

Publication Details

• Title: Neuroendocrine neoplasm classification: The missing piece of the puzzle
• Authors: Udhayvir S. Grewal, Calisia N. Clarke, Razelle Kurzrock
• Journal: Med Cell Press

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article’s central theme is the improvement of classification for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), a type of cancer. By advocating for a more precise diagnostic and treatment paradigm through “individual molecular tumor portraits,” the research directly contributes to advancing medical science to improve health outcomes and combat a non-communicable disease.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This goal includes a focus on fostering innovation and enhancing scientific research. The article critiques existing NEN classification systems as inadequate and proposes an innovative approach. The publication of this commentary and the call to move the field “in this direction” highlight the importance of scientific research and technological advancement in the medical sector to build resilient and sophisticated healthcare infrastructure.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases

   This target aims to “by 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.” The article addresses this directly by proposing a new method for classifying NENs. It notes that current systems “often fail to capture outcome diversity,” implying that a better system based on “individual molecular tumor portraits” would lead to more effective treatments, thereby improving patient outcomes and contributing to the reduction of premature mortality from this form of cancer.

2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities

   This target encourages countries to “enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.” The article is a clear example of scientific research aimed at improving medical technology. The authors’ call to make “molecular tumor portraits as a cornerstone of diagnostic/treatment paradigms” is a direct appeal to upgrade the technological capabilities within the field of oncology, moving beyond traditional methods to more innovative and precise molecular-based approaches.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly state any quantitative indicators. However, it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that could be used to track progress:

• Indicators for Target 3.4

  The article implies that the success of the proposed new classification system would be measured by its impact on patient health. An implied indicator is the improvement in patient outcomes and survival rates for individuals with NENs. The statement that current systems “fail to capture outcome diversity” suggests that a key measure of a new system would be its ability to better predict and improve these outcomes, ultimately leading to a reduction in the mortality rate associated with NENs.

• Indicators for Target 9.5

  Progress towards enhancing scientific research in this area can be measured by indicators such as the number of scientific publications and research initiatives focused on molecular profiling for NENs. The article itself, being a “commentary highlighting the ‘missing piece of the puzzle’,” contributes to this body of knowledge. A further indicator would be the rate of adoption of molecular-based diagnostics in clinical practice as a new standard of care, reflecting the successful integration of this innovation into the healthcare system.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oncodaily.com