Unraveling Neuroendocrine Cancer Research with Mass Spectrometry

Join us in this fascinating episode of Concentrating on Chromatography as Dr. Rachael Guenter, PhD, shares her eight-year journey researching neuroendocrine tumors. Discover how her background in plant pathology and engineering shaped her translational medicine approach, and learn about the crucial role of mass spectrometry in uncovering protein-level insights in these rare cancers. 

Dr. Guenter also discusses the challenges of translating lab discoveries into clinical trials, the promise of spatial mass spectrometry for tumor heterogeneity, and the importance of collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and patients. Whether you're interested in cancer biology, mass spec applications, or cutting-edge cancer research, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and inspiring advice from a leading expert in the field.  

Video Transcription

Dr. Rachael Guenter shares how her path into neuroendocrine tumor (NET) research began with an early love of math and science, then accelerated through hands-on research experiences in college. She describes studying Phytophthora infestans (the pathogen linked to the Irish potato famine) as a formative training ground for genetics, disease pathology, and core lab techniques—including work with historical DNA to understand how the disease spread in the 1800s. In parallel, she applied chemical engineering knowledge to process control and water purification, building confidence in practical, problem-solving approaches that later carried into biomedical research.

Driven by a desire to apply these skills to challenges she felt deeply passionate about, Dr. Guenter pursued a PhD in cancer biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She explains that she “stumbled into” a lab focused on neuroendocrine cancers—an area she hadn’t known existed at the time—but quickly realized the field was under-researched and urgently needed new insights. Nearly eight years later, she describes NET research as both a continuing scientific puzzle and a powerful motivator: the complexity is high, but so is the impact of every meaningful discovery.

A major theme of the interview is translational medicine—moving ideas from bench science toward clinical application. Dr. Guenter emphasizes that this is only possible through close collaboration with clinicians and surgeons who work directly with patients. These partnerships help align laboratory questions with real patient needs (for example, therapies that slow or stop metastasis) and enable access to patient samples through informed consent and surgical collection. She also highlights the reality behind “bench to bedside”: long timelines, extensive safety work, regulatory documentation, and a coordinated team effort.

Mass spectrometry is central to her workflow, supporting both mechanistic studies and tumor profiling. Dr. Guenter describes using MS-based approaches to answer fundamental questions—such as identifying proteins involved in gene regulation—and to compare differential protein expression across tumor models, including engineered cell lines tested in vivo. She notes that rare cancers like NETs bring a unique analytical challenge: there is often limited prior literature to interpret results, making the work more pioneering and requiring careful communication and iterative problem-solving. Looking ahead, she is especially excited about spatial mass spectrometry as a way to preserve tumor architecture and heterogeneity—capturing interactions among tumor cells, immune cells, and the microenvironment—to potentially unlock new insights into why some NET subtypes show limited response to immunotherapies.

Finally, Dr. Guenter underscores that progress in rare cancers depends on community: scientists, clinicians, and patients working together through open communication and sustained collaboration—often across institutions and borders despite administrative hurdles. She also advocates for broader awareness of neuroendocrine cancer, explaining the “zebra” symbol and the mindset shift it represents: when symptoms are vague and diagnoses can take years, clinicians and the public may need to “think zebras,” not just the most common explanations. She closes on an optimistic note—mass spectrometry and collaborative networks are accelerating discoveries, and she hopes to share more soon as upcoming research is published.

This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.

Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast

Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!

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