Impact of CFTR modulator therapy on body composition as assessed by thoracic computed tomography: A follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) has brought a significant change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and clinical parameters. However, it also results in weight gain. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of CFTR modulator treatment on body composition, measured by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Adult subjects with CF under follow-up at La Princesa University Hospital were recruited. All of them were on elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) treatment. Body composition analysis was conducted using CT scans and an open-source software. The results were then compared with bioimpedance estimations, as well as other clinical and spirometry data. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 26 adult subjects. The fat mass compartments on CT scans correlated with similar compartments on bioimpedance, and normal-density muscle mass exhibited a strong correlation with phase angle. Higher levels of very low-density muscle prior to treatment were associated with lower final FEV1 and less improvement in FEV1 after therapy. We observed an increase in total body area (P < 0.001), driven by increases in total fat mass (P < 0.001), subcutaneous fat (P < 0.001), visceral fat (P = 0.002), and intermuscular fat (P = 0.022). The only muscle compartment that showed an increase after treatment was very low-density muscle (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: CT scans represent an opportunity to assess body composition on CF. Combination treatment with CFTR modulators, leads to an improvement in FEV1 and to an increase in body mass in all compartments primarily at the expense of fat mass.

Primary Cilia as a Tumor Marker in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) account for approximately 15% of all intracranial neoplasms. Although they usually appear to be benign, some tumors display worse behavior, displaying rapid growth, invasion, refractoriness to treatment, and recurrence. Increasing evidence supports the role of primary cilia (PC) in regulating cancer development. Here, we showed that PC are significantly increased in PitNETs and are associated with increased tumor invasion and recurrence. Serial electron micrographs of PITNETs demonstrated different ciliation phenotypes (dot-like versus normal-like cilia) that represented PC at different stages of ciliogenesis. Molecular findings demonstrated that 123 ciliary-associated genes (eg, doublecortin domain containing protein 2, Sintaxin-3, and centriolar coiled-coil protein 110) were dysregulated in PitNETs, representing the upregulation of markers at different stages of intracellular ciliogenesis. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that ciliogenesis is increased in PitNETs, suggesting that this process might be used as a potential target for therapy in the future.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring as an Additional Tool in Early Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes Monitoring and in Evaluation of Short-Term Sitagliptin Response.

Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is a complication associated with a negative prognosis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the widely recommended screening test for CFRD diagnosis, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasingly considered a useful and easy-to-perform test for diagnosis and follow-up in clinical practice. Regarding CFRD treatment, although insulin is the classic approved pharmacological option, incretins could also be a helpful alternative in early stages. CGM could be also a useful tool to measure the early response to this therapy. METHODS: We studied 25 CF patients with abnormal OGTT results and compared glucose and insulin levels during the OGTTs with CGM results as a tool for early CFRD diagnosis. In addition, we evaluated glycaemic control with CGM before and after treatment with sitagliptin. RESULTS: A correlation was found between lower plasma insulin levels during the OGTTs and higher average sensor glucose (p = 0.009) and hyperglycaemic excursions (p = 0.017). The CGM data on sitagliptin treatment (n = 25) showed an average glycaemic improvement from 124.2 to 117.2 mg/dL (p = 0.002) with a 5.6-point standard deviation of glucose decrease (p < 0.001). Hyperglycaemic excursions ≥200 mg/dL diminished 57.1% (p = 0.021). Both time in range and time above 180 mg/dL improved during treatment (p = 0.036 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: CGM is a useful tool that offers valuable information for both the diagnosis and the management of CFRD. Lower plasma insulin levels during OGTTs are associated with a poor ambulatory glucose profile in CGM. Sitagliptin could play an important role in the treatment of the early stages of CFRD.

Chronic Treatment with Somatostatin Analogues in Recurrent Type 1 Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GC-1) represent an uncommon subtype of neoplasms. Endoscopic resection has been proposed as the treatment of choice; active surveillance may be performed in those smaller than 1 cm, while gastric surgery may be performed for those with frequent recurrences. The antiproliferative effect of somatostatin analogues (SSA) is well known, and their action on GC-1s has been postulated as a chronic treatment to reduce recurrence. METHODS: A two-centered, retrospective, observational study that included nine patients (55.6% women) diagnosed with GC-1, receiving long-term treatment with SSA, with a median follow-up from baseline of 22 months, was undertaken. Endoscopic follow-up, extension study, and analytical values of chromogranin A (Cg A) and gastrin were collected. RESULTS: In total, 88.9% of patients presented partial or complete response. Treatment with SSA was the only independent factor with a trend to prevent tumor recurrence (Odds Ratio 0.054; p = 0.005). A nonsignificant tendency toward a decrease in CgA and gastrin was observed; lack of significance was probably related to concomitant treatment with proton pump inhibitors in some patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic treatment with SSA is a feasible option for recurrent GC-1s that are difficult to manage using endoscopy or gastrectomy. Randomized clinical trials to provide more scientific evidence are still needed.

A prospective study to assess the impact of a novel CFTR therapy combination on body composition in patients with cystic fibrosis with F508del mutation.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Malnutrition is a prevalent condition in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and can result in worsening of pulmonary function and other comorbidities. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies are improving the CF-related care and outcomes. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most commonly used parameter to assess nutritional status, albeit it is a very unspecific indicator. Hence, current guidelines recommend body composition analysis as a part of nutritional assessment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) treatment on body composition and respiratory function. METHODS: We recruited patients with CF from University Hospital La Princesa, with follow-up in the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit. All patients were eligible to initiate ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy. Body composition was assessed with a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and spirometry data were obtained before and after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: Our study sample was composed of 36 patients with CF. We observed a significant increase in BMI after 6 months of treatment (p < 0.001), as well as an increase in fat mass (p = 0.008) and visceral fat area (p = 0.026). The other body composition parameters did not yield significant changes. Overall, %FEV1 increased from 72.67 % (±17.39) to 84.74 % (±18.18) after 6 months of treatment. Interestingly, we found an inverse correlation between %FEV1 and fat mass (r = -0,476; p = 0,0058), %FEV1 and age (r = -0,411; p = 0,0196) and between %FEV1 and visceral fat area (r = -0,515; p = 0,0025). On the contrary, we found a direct correlation between %FEV1 and body cell mass (r = 0,367; p = 0,038). CONCLUSIONS: Novel CFTR modulators are emerging for the treatment of CF. Specifically, triple combination with ELX/TEZ/IVA has shown to effectively improve both pulmonary and nutritional status in patients with CF with F508del mutation. Body composition should be a part of the routine assessment for patients with CF.

Impact of Change in Body Composition during Follow-Up on the Survival of GEP-NET.

Background: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) are heterogeneous rare diseases causing malnutrition and cachexia in which the study of body composition may have an impact in prognosis. Aim: Evaluation of muscle and fat tissues by computed tomography (CT) at the level of the third lumbar (L3 level) at diagnosis and at the end of follow-up in GET-NET patients and their relationships with clinical and biochemical variables as predictors of survival. Methodology: Ninety-eight GEP-NET patients were included. Clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Total body, subcutaneous, visceral and total fat areas and very low-density, low-density, normal density, high-density, very high-density and total muscle areas were obtained from CT images. Results: Body composition measures and overall mortality correlated with age, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status) metastases, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin and urea levels. Although there was no relationship between body composition variables at diagnosis and overall and specific mortality, an increase in low-density muscle and a decrease in normal-density muscle during follow-up were independently correlated to overall (p <0.05) and tumor-cause mortality (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although body composition measures obtained by CT at diagnosis did not impact survival of GEP-NET patients, a loss of good quality muscle during follow-up was associated with an increased overall and tumor-related mortality. Nutritional status should therefore be supervised by nutrition specialists and an increase in good quality muscle could improve prognosis.

Alpelisib-Induced Diabetes Mellitus: Case Report, Pharmacodynamics and Management Considerations.

Introduction: Alpelisib is an orally selective PI3K alpha inhibitor recently available for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. PI3K pathway is an intracellular signaling pathway that plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism. Hyperglycemia is the most common adverse event associated. Methods: We describe the case of a severe hyperglycemia associated with alpelisib treatment in a patient with metastatic breast cancer and previously near-normal glycemia. We analyze the clinical presentation, PI3K inhibitor pharmacodynamic aspects, its influence in glycemic control and the required treatment approach. Results: An important impairment of glycemic control was observed after initiation of alpelisib. In addition to insulin sensitizers drugs, intensive insulin regimen was necessary. Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) information has been helpful in understanding the pharmacodynamic aspects of alpelisib and insulin titration. Development of hyperglycemia is fast, already observed 24 hours after initiation of therapy. FGM shows severe and persistent hyperglycemia during most of the day, with a significant downward effect in the 4 hours after each daily intake, which evidences the strong but transitory effect of the drug enzyme blockade. C-peptide level is remarkable in accordance with drug pharmacodynamics, consistent with a significant insulin resistance. Conclusions: Glucose monitoring should always be performed in patients treated with alpelisib, especially in patients with diabetes and prediabetes. It is crucial to anticipate in these patients. Any delay can lead to a worsening in metabolic control resulting in the discontinuation or reduction of alpelisib, which would lead to a decrease in its effectiveness, and consequently would deny patients an effective treatment with an impact on survival.