Difficult Diagnosis and Management of Concealed Cushing.

BACKGROUND: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-secreting tumors account for 5- 10% of Cushing syndrome cases and are often difficult to diagnose and treat. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old man presented with arterial hypertension and weight gain. On the physical examination, he exhibited central obesity, abdominal striae rubrae, and facial plethora. Due to the clinical suspicion of Cushing syndrome, the Nugent test and Liddle-1 test were performed, which showed a lack of cortisol suppression. ACTH levels were also high (138 pg/mL), so pituitary MRI and dynamic tests were performed, including the Corticotropin-releasing Hormone (CRH) stimulation test and Liddle-2. MRI showed a 3 mm pituitary microadenoma, but hormonal testing suggested ectopic ACTH production. Chest CT detected a 10-mm nodule in the upper lobe of the right lung, suspicious for a carcinoid tumor. However, the nodule did not exhibit any enhancement on 68-Gallium-DOTATOC PET-CT, and further, 18-FDG PET-CT was inconclusive. In addition, the nodule was deemed non-biopsiable due to its location. Meanwhile, the patient developed osteoporosis, resulting in two vertebral fractures and one rib fracture, which was treated with zoledronate. Furthermore, the patient developed acute aortic insufficiency. During bioprosthetic valve replacement, the thoracic surgeon performed wedge resection of the right upper lung lobe. The histological examination of the lesion revealed a typical lung carcinoid (1.2x0.9 cm, pT1bNXR0, Ki671%, ACTH positive in 95% of neoplastic elements). ACTH levels dropped to 4 pg/mL on the fourth postoperative day. CONCLUSION: ACTH-secreting tumors are particularly challenging diseases. A comprehensive hormonal and instrumental valuation is often required, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach.

Carcinoid Syndrome and Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia Associated with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Critical Review on Clinical and Pharmacological Management.

The carcinoid syndrome (CS) and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) represent two of the most common clinical syndromes associated with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). The former is mainly related to the serotonin secretion by a small bowel NEN, whereas the latter depends on an insulin hypersecretion by a pancreatic insulinoma. Both syndromes/conditions can affect prognosis and quality of life of patients with NENs. They are often diagnosed late when patients become strongly symptomatic. Therefore, their early detection and management are a critical step in the clinical management of NEN patients. A dedicated and experienced multidisciplinary team with appropriate therapeutic strategies is needed and should be encouraged to optimize clinical outcomes. This review aims to critically analyze clinical features, evidence and treatment options of CS and HH and therefore to improve their management.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Histology-Proven Neuroendocrine Neoplasms in the Italian Area of Udine.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of histology-proven Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in an Italian area. BACKGROUND: NENs are a rare and poorly known disease and the global incidence and prevalence appear to be increasing over the past decades. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to estimate the incidence and trends of NENs in a 250,000-inhabitant area in the North-East of Italy in the 1998-2018 period and to compare them with international data. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was based on the analysis of anonymous health administrative databases, linked with each other at individual patient level through an anonymous stochastic key. NENs were identified from the anatomical pathology database. The standardized incidence rate (2010ESP and US2000) ± 95% CI per 100,000 were calculated, both annually and globally, for the whole period. Incidence was also calculated for specific anatomical sites and by gender. Trends for the considered periods and sites were summarized through the annual percent change (APC) and average increase (cases per 100,000 per year). RESULTS: In the 1998-2018 period, the standardized incidence rate of NENs in the area of Udine was 2.49 (APC 3.33). A total of 162 cases were observed (51.2% males). Differences in incidence and trend were observed between sexes. The obtained results were consistent with those reported in other countries, confirming a significant and steady increase in NENs incidence in the last twenty years. CONCLUSION: This study provides new epidemiological data on NENs in Italy. The observed sex differences deserve further investigations.

The calcium-to-phosphorous (Ca/P) ratio in the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism: a multicentric study.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and chronic hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is still challenging, especially in patients asymptomatic or with non-classical phenotypes and for physicians not skilled in calcium-phosphorous (Ca-P) disorders. The serum calcium/phosphorous (Ca/P) ratio has been proposed as accurate index to identify PHPT, while it has never been tested in HypoPT. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic power of the serum Ca/P ratio in the diagnosis of primary parathyroid dysfunctions (both PHPT and HypoPT) in a large series of data. METHODS: A multicentric, retrospective, cross-sectional study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03747029) was carried out including 432 PHPT patients and 217 HypoPT patients compared with 389 controls. Serum Ca, P, creatinine, parathyroid hormone and 25OH-vitamin D were collected. Serum Ca and P were expressed in mmol/L. Ca/P diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. RESULTS: The Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in PHPT and lower in HypoPT patients than controls (p < 0.0001). At ROC curve analysis, the Ca/P ratio above 2.55 was defined to identify PHPT patients (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 85.3%) and below 1.78 to identify HypoPT patients (sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 87.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The Ca/P ratio is a highly accurate index to identify PHPT when Ca/P is above 2.55 and HypoPT when it is below 1.78. These results demonstrate the reliability of this index to rule in/out primary parathyroid dysfunctions and remark the importance of measuring serum P in clinical practice.

Expression and clinicopathological role of miR146a in thyroid follicular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Dysregulation of microRNA expression has been involved in the development and progression of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). The aim of this work was to study the expression of miRNA146a in FTC and the association with clinicopathological features of the disease. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients affected by FTC were included in the study. Twenty patients carrying follicular thyroid adenoma (FA) were also enroled as the benign counterpart of FTC. Total RNA including miRNA146a was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) pairs of affected/unaffected tissue and its expression was assessed by real-time PCR. Two selected target genes, TRAF6 (tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6) and IRAK1 (Il-1 receptor-associated kinase 1/2), were also analysed. RESULTS: miR146a expression in FTC tissue was overall not downregulated in malignant versus unaffected tissue, but its expression was inversely correlated with clinicopathological features of FTCs at diagnosis. A decreased expression of miR146a became apparent in FTC thyroid tissue of widely compared to minimally invasive tumours. However, miR146a expression differences between contralateral unaffected tissue (extra-FTC) and FTC were not observed regardless of clinicopathological features. IRAK1, a known target for miR146a, was upregulated in FTC and the increase was mainly appreciable in Hurtle FTC variant. Unexpectedly, miR146a did not correlate with TRAF6 showing an inverse trend compared to IRAK1 although both genes regulate the activity of nuclear factor- kB (NF-kB). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that downregulation of miR146a, inversely correlated with clinicopathological features of FTCs at diagnosis and suggest a possible involvement of miR146a in FTC development. IRAK1 over-expression in FTC may be related to tumour development/progression. In vitro experiments are needed to support this hypothesis.

Mazabraud's Syndrome: A Case Report and Up-To-Date Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: Mazabraud's syndrome is a rare form of bone fibrous dysplasia associated with intramuscular myxomas. Fibrous dysplasia, is generally localized to pelvis and femur and it results in a fragile bone with deformities, pain, pathological fractures and functional impairment. Intramuscular myxomas, are rare benign mesenchymal neoplasms that exceptionally may evolve to malignant forms. METHODS: This case report describes a 66-year-old woman with Mazabraud's Syndrome (MS), characterized both by monostotic right femur fibrous dysplasia and by a solitary intramuscular myxoma at the right quadriceps muscle, that underwent a long-term treatment (4 years) with intravenous zoledronic acid. RESULTS: Zoledronic acid therapy rapidly lowered bone pain together with a reduction of intramuscular myxoma volume, but did not affect the extension of fibrous dysplasia. No adverse effects have been observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: Highly active bisphosphonates are commonly used for the treatment of bone metabolic disorders and they are generally well tolerated. Zoledronic acid may represent a promising alternative to surgical intervention in MS, although its use in rare form of bone fibrous dysplasias is still controversial.

Serum Calcium to Phosphorous (Ca/P) Ratio Is a Simple, Inexpensive, and Accurate Tool in the Diagnosis of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) diagnosis is challenging and is based on serum calcium (Ca) and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Because serum Ca and phosphorous (P) are inversely related in PHPT, we investigated the diagnostic value of the serum Ca/P ratio in the diagnosis of PHPT. We report a single-center, case-controlled, retrospective study including 97 patients with documented PHPT and compared them with those of 96 controls (C). The main outcome measures were: serum PTH, 25-OH vitamin D, Ca, P, albumin, and creatinine. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the serum Ca/P ratio were calculated. The results were verified using an independent, anonymous set of data extracted from a laboratory database containing over 900 million entries. A total of 35 (36.1%) PHPT patients had normocalcemic PHPT (NCHPT). Ca and PTH were significantly higher in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). P was significantly lower in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). The Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves analyses identified a cutoff of 2.71 (3.5 if Ca and P are expressed in mg/dL) for Ca/P ratio with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 87%, respectively (p < 0.0001), confirmed by the independent, big data approach. In conclusion, Ca/P is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of PHPT and is of superior value compared to serum Ca alone, especially in NCPHT. Because Ca/P is simple, inexpensive, and easily accessible worldwide, this ratio is useful for PHPT diagnosis, especially in laboratory/medical settings relying on limited resources, such as low-income countries. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Emerging multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms.

In the last few years, the therapeutic approach for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has changed dramatically following the approval of several novel targeted treatments. The multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor (MTKI), sunitinib malate, has been approved by Regulatory Agencies in pancreatic NENs. The MTKI class, however, includes several other molecules (approved for other conditions), which are currently being studied in NENs. An in-depth review on the studies published on the MTKIs in neuroendocrine tumors such as axitinib, cabozantinib, famitinib, lenvatinib, nintedanib, pazopanib, sorafenib and sulfatinib was performed. Furthermore, we extensively searched on the Clinical Trial Registries databases worldwide, in order to collect information on the ongoing clinical trials related to this topic. Our systematic analysis on emerging MTKIs in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic and lung NENs identifies in vitro and in vivo studies, which demonstrate anti-tumor activity of diverse MTKIs on neuroendocrine cells and tumors. Moreover, for the first time in the literature, we report an updated view concerning the upcoming clinical trials in this field: presently, phase I, II and III clinical trials are ongoing and will include, overall, a staggering 1667 patients. This fervid activity underlines the increasing interest of the scientific community in the use of emerging MTKIs in NEN treatment.

Exploring the Possible Prognostic Role of B-Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) in a Large Series of Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: BLyS (B-Lymphocyte stimulator) is over-expressed in several tumoral settings, with direct or indirect effects on neoplastic proliferation and possibly representing a therapeutic target. In this study, we explored the role of BLyS in a large population of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). METHODS: The study analyzed the stored sera of 124 consecutive unselected patients with NETs: 36 lung carcinoids (24 typical, 12 atypical), 47 gastroenteric tract and 41 pancreatic (30 non-functioning and 11 functioning: 9 insulinomas, 2 glucagonomas). In 23 cases, BLyS was repeatedly assessed during the follow-up and the disease was monitored (progression, stabilization or remission) according to the RECIST criteria. Patients were compared to 92 age and sex-matched blood donors (BDs). Serum levels of BLyS and Chromogranin A (CgA) were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: NET patients showed significantly higher BLyS levels than BDs (1274±809 pg/ml vs. 587±173 pg/ml; p<0.0001). BLyS correlated weakly with CgA (r=0.19 and p=0.035) but did not correlate with Ki67, grading, metastasis, histological type and site. In patients with sustained remission after surgery, BLyS and CgA both showed a gradual reduction over time. Patients with progressing disease showed higher BLyS levels compared to stable patients (1524±694 pg/ml vs. 1168± 373 pg/ml; p= 0.033). BLyS serum levels remained stable in remission and therapy-controlled patients, while increased in the follow-up of progressing cases. CONCLUSION: Higher BLyS levels identify patients with a more severe disease, characterized by progression despite treatments, possibly representing a factor implicated in the proliferation of the neoplastic cells or in sustaining the neoplastic environment.

Cured primary hyperparathyroidism after fine-needle aspiration biopsy-induced parathyroid disappearance.

Spontaneous or fine-needle aspiration (FNAB)-induced remission of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) may occur, especially for cystic lesions. However, the disease generally relapses over a short time period. We present a case of PHPT due to an enlarged hyperfunctioning parathyroid that underwent long-term (almost 9 years) clinical and ultrasonographic remission after the disappearance of the lesion following ultrasound (US)-assisted FNAB. A 67-year-old woman with PHPT underwent biochemical and US examinations that confirmed the diagnosis and showed a lesion suggestive for parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. US-FNAB of the lesion confirmed its parathyroid nature by means of elevated levels of parathyroid hormone within the needle washing fluid. At the second visit, the patient referred slight neck swelling that resolved spontaneously in the days after the US-FNAB. At subsequent follow-up, the enlarged parathyroid was not found; it was visible neither with US nor with magnetic resonance imaging. Biochemical remission persists after 9 years. This is the first reported case of cure of PHPT after US-FNAB performed on a hyperfunctioning parathyroid resulting in its complete disappearance over a period of 9 years of negative biochemical and ultrasonographic follow-up. LEARNING POINTS: Spontaneous or fine-needle aspiration-induced remission of primary hyperparathyroidism can occur.Both circumstances may present disease relapse over a variable time period, but definite remission is also possible even though long-term periodic follow-up should be performed.Parathyroid damage should be ruled out in case of neck symptomatology after parathyroid fine-needle aspiration or spontaneous symptomatology in patients with history of primary hyperparathyroidism.

The endocrine role of estrogens on human male skeleton.

Before the characterization of human and animal models of estrogen deficiency, estrogen action was confined in the context of the female bone. These interesting models uncovered a wide spectrum of unexpected estrogen actions on bone in males, allowing the formulation of an estrogen-centric theory useful to explain how sex steroids act on bone in men. Most of the principal physiological events that take place in the developing and mature male bone are now considered to be under the control of estrogen. Estrogen determines the acceleration of bone elongation at puberty, epiphyseal closure, harmonic skeletal proportions, the achievement of peak bone mass, and the maintenance of bone mass. Furthermore, it seems to crosstalk with androgen even in the determination of bone size, a more androgen-dependent phenomenon. At puberty, epiphyseal closure and growth arrest occur when a critical number of estrogens is reached. The same mechanism based on a critical threshold of serum estradiol seems to operate in men during adulthood for bone mass maintenance via the modulation of bone formation and resorption in men. This threshold should be better identified in-between the ranges of 15 and 25 pg/mL. Future basic and clinical research will optimize strategies for the management of bone diseases related to estrogen deficiency in men.