Dunnigan lipodystrophy syndrome: French National Diagnosis and Care Protocol (PNDS; Protocole National de Diagnostic et de Soins).

Dunnigan syndrome, or Familial Partial Lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2; ORPHA 2348), is a rare autosomal dominant disorder due to pathogenic variants of the LMNA gene. The objective of the French National Diagnosis and Care Protocol (PNDS; Protocole National de Diagnostic et de Soins), is to provide health professionals with a guide to optimal management and care of patients with FPLD2, based on a critical literature review and multidisciplinary expert consensus. The PNDS, written by members of the French National Reference Center for Rare Diseases of Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity (PRISIS), is available on the French Health Authority website (in French). Dunnigan syndrome is characterized by a partial atrophy of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and by an insulin resistance syndrome, associated with a risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and muscular complications. Its prevalence, assessed at 1/100.000 in Europe, is probably considerably underestimated. Thorough clinical examination is key to diagnosis. Biochemical testing frequently shows hyperinsulinemia, abnormal glucose tolerance and hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated hepatic transaminases (hepatic steatosis) and creatine phosphokinase, and hyperandrogenism in women, are common. Molecular analysis of the LMNA gene confirms diagnosis and allows for family investigations. Regular screening and multidisciplinary monitoring of the associated complications are necessary. Diabetes frequently develops from puberty onwards. Hypertriglyceridemia may lead to acute pancreatitis. Early atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathy should be monitored. In women, polycystic ovary syndrome is common. Overall, the management of patients with Dunnigan syndrome requires the collaboration of several health care providers. The attending physician, in conjunction with the national care network, will ensure that the patient receives optimal care through regular follow-up and screening. The various elements of this PNDS are described to provide such a support.

Rare genetic forms of obesity: From gene to therapy.

Monogenic non-syndromic obesity is characterized by severe early-onset obesity with abnormal eating behaviour and endocrine disorders. Genes contributing to these rare forms of obesity are mainly located in the leptin/melanocortin pathway, with typically an autosomal additive inheritance of obesity. The normal function of this hypothalamic pathway is essential for the control of energy balance. Genetic variants are involved in 5-30 % of severe early-onset obesity depending on explored populations. Compared to other genes in the pathway especially leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and prohormone convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R)-linked obesity is characterized by obesity of variable severity with no notable endocrine phenotypes. Managing patients with monogenic non-syndromic obesity is clinically challenging since they display complex phenotypes and the obesity is often morbid and refractory to classical treatments. Until recent years, there has been a lack of effective and targeted pharmaceutical molecules except for leptin therapy that was available for leptin deficiency. The picture has changed and new promising molecules acting on the leptin-melanocortin pathway such as setmelanotide -a new MC4R agonist- are now emerging as novel targeted therapeutic opportunities.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Update on treatments for patients with genetic obesity.

Obesity, defined by an excess of body fat impacting on health, is a complex disease resulting from the interaction between many genetic/epigenetic factors and environmental triggers. For some clinical situations with severe obesity, it has been possible to classify these obesity forms according to the molecular alterations. These include: (i) syndromic obesity, which associates severe early-onset obesity with neurodevelopmental disorders and/or polymalformative syndrome and (ii) non-syndromic monogenic obesity, due to gene variants most often located in the leptin-melanocortin pathway. In addition to severe obesity, patients affected by these diseases display complex somatic conditions, eventually including obesity comorbidities, neuropsychological and psychiatric disorders. These conditions render the clinical management of these patients particularly challenging. Patients' early diagnosis is critical to allow specialized and multidisciplinary care, with a necessary interaction between the health and social sectors. Up to now, the management of genetic obesity was only based, above all, on controlling the patient's environment, which involves limiting access to food, ensuring a reassuring daily eating environment that limits impulsiveness, and the practice of adapted, supported, and supervised physical activity. Bariatric surgery has also been undertaken in genetic obesity cases with uncertain outcomes. The context is rapidly changing, as new innovative therapies are currently being tested both for syndromic and monogenic forms of obesity. This review focuses on care management and new therapeutic opportunities in genetic obesity, including the use of the melanocortin 4 agonist, setmelanotide. The results from ongoing trials will hopefully pave the way to a future precision medicine approach for genetic obesity.