KDM1A inactivation causes hereditary food-dependent Cushing syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the genetic cause of food-dependent Cushing syndrome (FDCS) observed in patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) and adrenal ectopic expression of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor. Germline ARMC5 alterations have been reported in about 25% of PBMAH index cases but are absent in patients with FDCS. METHODS: A multiomics analysis of PBMAH tissues from 36 patients treated by adrenalectomy was performed (RNA sequencing, single-nucleotide variant array, methylome, miRNome, exome sequencing). RESULTS: The integrative analysis revealed 3 molecular groups with different clinical features, namely G1, comprising 16 patients with ARMC5 inactivating variants; G2, comprising 6 patients with FDCS with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor ectopic expression; and G3, comprising 14 patients with a less severe phenotype. Exome sequencing revealed germline truncating variants of KDM1A in 5 G2 patients, constantly associated with a somatic loss of the KDM1A wild-type allele on 1p, leading to a loss of KDM1A expression both at messenger RNA and protein levels (P = 1.2 × 10-12 and P < .01, respectively). Subsequently, KDM1A pathogenic variants were identified in 4 of 4 additional index cases with FDCS. CONCLUSION: KDM1A inactivation explains about 90% of FDCS PBMAH. Genetic screening for ARMC5 and KDM1A can now be offered for most PBMAH operated patients and their families, opening the way to earlier diagnosis and improved management.

Loss of KDM1A in GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome is caused by aberrant expression of the GIP receptor in adrenal lesions. The bilateral nature of this disease suggests germline genetic predisposition. We aimed to identify the genetic driver event responsible for GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study at endocrine hospitals and university hospitals in France, Canada, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands. We collected blood and adrenal samples from patients who had undergone unilateral or bilateral adrenalectomy for GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome. Adrenal samples from patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia who had undergone an adrenalectomy for overt or mild Cushing's syndrome without evidence of food-dependent cortisol production and those with GIP-dependent unilateral adrenocortical adenomas were used as control groups. We performed whole genome, whole exome, and targeted next generation sequencing, and copy number analyses of blood and adrenal DNA from patients with familial or sporadic disease. We performed RNA sequencing on adrenal samples and functional analyses of the identified genetic defect in the human adrenocortical cell line H295R. FINDINGS: 17 patients with GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome were studied. The median age of patients was 43·3 (95% CI 38·8-47·8) years and most patients (15 [88%]) were women. We identified germline heterozygous pathogenic or most likely pathogenic variants in the KDM1A gene in all 17 patients. We also identified a recurrent deletion in the short p arm of chromosome 1 harboring the KDM1A locus in adrenal lesions of these patients. None of the 29 patients in the control groups had KDM1A germline or somatic alterations. Concomitant genetic inactivation of both KDM1A alleles resulted in loss of KDM1A expression in adrenal lesions. Global gene expression analysis showed GIP receptor upregulation with a log2 fold change of 7·99 (95% CI 7·34-8·66; p=4·4 × 10-125), and differential regulation of several other G protein-coupled receptors in GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular hyperplasia samples compared with control samples. In vitro pharmacological inhibition and inactivation of KDM1A by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing resulted in an increase of GIP receptor transcripts and protein in human adrenocortical H295R cells. INTERPRETATION: We propose that GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome results from a two-hit inactivation of KDM1A, consistent with the tumour suppressor gene model of tumorigenesis. Genetic testing and counselling should be offered to these patients and their relatives. FUNDING: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Fondation du Grand défi Pierre Lavoie, and the French National Cancer Institute.

Thymic neuroendocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: a comparative study on 21 cases among a series of 761 MEN1 from the GTE (Groupe des Tumeurs Endocrines).

BACKGROUND: Thymic neuroendocrine tumors (Th-NET) present a poor prognosis for patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). The purpose of this article was to study the clinical, biological, and pathological features of Th-NET in a large cohort of patients with MEN1. METHODS: The 761-patient MEN1 cohort from the GTE registry was used (Groupe des Tumeurs Endocrines). RESULTS: The actuarial probability of occurrence was 2.6% (range, 1.3-5.5%) at aged 40 years. All, except one, Th-NET patients were men. Four patients had no other associated lesions. The youngest patient was aged 16 years. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 42.7 (range, 16.1-67.5) years. The 10-year probability of survival was 36.1% (range, 11.5-62%). Seven patients (33%) belonged to clustered MEN1 families. The spectrum of associated lesions in patients with Th-NET was not statistically different from the spectrum of the remainder of the cohort. Various endocrine markers were high, but none were sensitive or specific enough to be useful for Th-NET detection. CT-scan and MRI were always positive at the time of diagnosis. No particular mutation was found to be associated with Th-NET. Five cases underwent prophylactic thymectomy without success. CONCLUSIONS: Several end points may be helpful for future guidelines: (1) earlier detection of Th-NET in MEN1 patients is required; (2) screening of both sexes is necessary; (3) a prospective study comparing MRI vs. CT scan in yearly screening for Th-NET is needed; (4) a reinforced screening program must be established for patients who belong to clustered families; and (5) thymectomies must be performed in specialized centers.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein gene mutations in familial isolated pituitary adenomas: analysis in 73 families.

CONTEXT: An association between germline aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene mutations and pituitary adenomas was recently shown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the frequency of AIP gene mutations in a large cohort of patients with familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA). DESIGN: This was a multicenter, international, collaborative study. SETTING: The study was conducted in 34 university endocrinology and genetics departments in nine countries. PATIENTS: Affected members from each FIPA family were studied. Relatives of patients with AIP mutations underwent AIP sequence analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence/absence and description of AIP gene mutations were the main outcome measures. INTERVENTION: There was no intervention. RESULTS: Seventy-three FIPA families were identified, with 156 patients with pituitary adenomas; the FIPA cohort was evenly divided between families with homogeneous and heterogeneous tumor expression. Eleven FIPA families had 10 germline AIP mutations. Nine mutations, R16H, G47_R54del, Q142X, E174frameshift, Q217X, Q239X, K241E, R271W, and Q285frameshift, have not been described previously. Tumors were significantly larger (P = 0.0005) and diagnosed at a younger age (P = 0.0006) in AIP mutation-positive vs. mutation-negative subjects. Somatotropinomas predominated among FIPA families with AIP mutations, but mixed GH/prolactin-secreting tumors, prolactinomas, and nonsecreting adenomas were also noted. Approximately 85% of the FIPA cohort and 50% of those with familial somatotropinomas were negative for AIP mutations. CONCLUSIONS: AIP mutations, of which nine new mutations have been described here, occur in approximately 15% of FIPA families. Although pituitary tumors occurring in association with AIP mutations are predominantly somatotropinomas, other tumor types are also seen. Further study of the impact of AIP mutations on protein expression and activity is necessary to elucidate their role in pituitary tumorigenesis in FIPA.

In vivo and in vitro screening for illegitimate receptors in adrenocorticotropin-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing's syndrome: identification of two cases of gonadotropin/gastric inhibitory polypeptide-dependent hypercortisolism.

In ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome, cortisol production can be controlled by illegitimate membrane receptors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the sensitivity of AIMAH to various regulatory factors to detect the expression of illegitimate receptors by the tissues. Four consecutive patients with AIMAH and hypercortisolism (H1-H4) preoperatively underwent a series of pharmacological and/or physiological tests. After adrenalectomy, in vitro studies were conducted to investigate the cortisol responses of cultured cells, derived from hyperplastic tissues, to various membrane receptor ligands. The adrenal tissues of the two patients who responded in vivo to food intake (H2 and H4) were stimulated in vitro by gastric inhibitory polypeptide. GnRH and human chorionic gonadotropin, but not FSH, stimulated cortisol secretion in patients H2 and H4. In these two cases, human chorionic gonadotropin but not GnRH stimulated cortisol production from cultured adrenocortical cells. Cisapride induced a significant increase in cortisol levels in patient H1. In addition, serotonin (5-HT) was more efficient to stimulate cortisol production in H1 cells than in normal adrenocortical cells. Upright stimulation test provoked an increase in cortisol levels in patients H1, H2, and H3. H1 and H2 cells were more sensitive to the stimulatory action of angiotensin II than normal cells. Similarly, arginine vasopressin (AVP) more efficiently activated steroidogenesis in H1 cells than in normal cells. In H1 tissue, immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of 5-HT- and AVP-like immunoreactivities within clusters of steroidogenic cells, suggesting that these two factors acted through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism to stimulate cortisol secretion. The present study provides the first demonstration of primary adrenal Cushing's syndrome dependent on both gonadotropin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide. Our data also show a hyperresponsiveness of hyperplastic adrenal tissues to 5-HT, angiotensin II, and AVP. Finally, they reveal for the first time the presence of paracrine regulatory signals in adrenal hyperplasia tissues.

Clinical Outcome, Hormonal Status, Gonadotrope Axis, and Testicular Function in 219 Adult Men Born With Classic 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency. A French National Survey.

CONTEXT: Outcomes of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) have been widely studied in children and women, but less so in men. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze data from a network of metropolitan French teaching hospitals on the clinical outcome of classic 21OHD in a large sample of congenital adrenal hyperplasia/21OHD-genotyped adult men, and particularly the impact of 21OHD on the gonadotrope axis, testicular function, and fertility. METHODS: From April 2011 to June 2014, tertiary endocrinology departments provided data for 219 men with 21OHD (ages, 18-70 y; 73.6% salt wasters, 26.4% simple virilizers). Testicular sonography was performed in 164 men, and sperm analysis was performed in 71 men. RESULTS: Mean final height was 7.8 cm lower than in a reference population. Obesity was more common, and mean blood pressure was lower than in the reference population. None of the patients were diabetic, and lipid status was generally normal. Blood electrolyte status was normal in the vast majority of men, despite markedly elevated ACTH and renin levels. Serum progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione levels were above normal in the vast majority of cases. Hormonal profiling variously showed a normal gonadotrope-testicular axis, gonadotropin deficiency, or primary testicular insufficiency. Testicular sonography revealed testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) in 34% of 164 men. Serum inhibin B and FSH levels were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in patients with TARTs. Severe oligospermia or azoospermia was found in 42% of patients and was significantly more prevalent in men with TARTs (70%) than in men with normal testes (3.6%; P < .0001). Among men living with female partners, TARTs were significantly more prevalent in those who had not fathered children. CONCLUSION: We report the spectrum of testicular/gonadotrope axis impairment in the largest cohort of 21OHD men studied to date. Our results suggest that French men with 21OHD managed in specialized centers frequently have impaired exocrine testicular function but that its reproductive implications are often overlooked.

Clinical and genetic characterization of pituitary gigantism: an international collaborative study in 208 patients.

Despite being a classical growth disorder, pituitary gigantism has not been studied previously in a standardized way. We performed a retrospective, multicenter, international study to characterize a large series of pituitary gigantism patients. We included 208 patients (163 males; 78.4%) with growth hormone excess and a current/previous abnormal growth velocity for age or final height >2 s.d. above country normal means. The median onset of rapid growth was 13 years and occurred significantly earlier in females than in males; pituitary adenomas were diagnosed earlier in females than males (15.8 vs 21.5 years respectively). Adenomas were ≥10 mm (i.e., macroadenomas) in 84%, of which extrasellar extension occurred in 77% and invasion in 54%. GH/IGF1 control was achieved in 39% during long-term follow-up. Final height was greater in younger onset patients, with larger tumors and higher GH levels. Later disease control was associated with a greater difference from mid-parental height (r=0.23, P=0.02). AIP mutations occurred in 29%; microduplication at Xq26.3 - X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) - occurred in two familial isolated pituitary adenoma kindreds and in ten sporadic patients. Tumor size was not different in X-LAG, AIP mutated and genetically negative patient groups. AIP-mutated and X-LAG patients were significantly younger at onset and diagnosis, but disease control was worse in genetically negative cases. Pituitary gigantism patients are characterized by male predominance and large tumors that are difficult to control. Treatment delay increases final height and symptom burden. AIP mutations and X-LAG explain many cases, but no genetic etiology is seen in >50% of cases.

Adrenal rest tissue in gonads of patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia: multicenter study of 45 French male patients.

OBJECTIVES: Several cases of testicular adrenal rest tumours have been reported in men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to the classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency but the prevalence has not been established. The aims of this report were to evaluate the frequency of testicular adrenal rest tissue in this population in a retrospective multicentre study involving eight endocrinology centres, and to determine whether treatment or genetic background had an impact on the occurrence of adrenal rest tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Testicular adrenal rest tissue (TART) was sought clinically and with ultrasound examination in forty-five males with CAH due to the classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. When the diagnosis of testicular adrenal rest tumours was sought, good observance of treatment was judged on biological concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), delta4-androstenedione, active renin and testosterone. The results of affected and non-affected subjects were compared. RESULTS: TART was detected in none of the 18 subjects aged 1 to 15years but was detected in 14 of the 27 subjects aged more than 15years. Five patients with an abnormal echography result had no clinical signs. Therapeutic control evaluated at diagnosis of TART seemed less effective when diagnosis was made in patients with adrenal rest tissue compared to TART-free subjects. Various genotypes were observed in patients with or without TART. CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence of TART in classical CAH and the delayed clinical diagnosis, testicular ultrasonography must be performed before puberty and thereafter regularly during adulthood even if the clinical examination is normal.

Preoperative US-guided hook-needle insertion in recurrent lymph nodes of papillary thyroid cancer: a help for the surgeon.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate whether preoperative ultrasound guided insertion of a hook-needle is useful in reoperations for cervical recurrent lymph node metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 8 patients with operated papillary thyroid cancer were included in this study. They all had suspicious nonpalpable cervical lymph nodes discovered during follow-up. These lymph nodes were identified by ultrasound imaging and their metastatic nature was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology and measurement of in situ thyroglobulin. In all cases, surgical excision of these lymph nodes was decided. All 8 patients had a hook-needle inserted in the suspicious lymph node(s) preoperatively and under ultrasound guidance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In all 8 patients, the suspicious lymph nodes were removed and their metastatic nature was confirmed by the final pathological examination. This localization technique is very helpful for the surgeon during the excision of small and nonpalpable lymph nodes, especially in previously operated area.

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic responses in patients with germ-line AIP mutations and pituitary adenomas: an international collaborative study.

CONTEXT: AIP mutations (AIPmut) give rise to a pituitary adenoma predisposition that occurs in familial isolated pituitary adenomas and less often in sporadic cases. The clinical and therapeutic features of AIPmut-associated pituitary adenomas have not been studied comprehensively. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess clinical/therapeutic characteristics of AIPmut pituitary adenomas. DESIGN: This study was an international, multicenter, retrospective case collection/database analysis. SETTING: The study was conducted at 36 tertiary referral endocrine and clinical genetics departments. PATIENTS: Patients included 96 patients with germline AIPmut and pituitary adenomas and 232 matched AIPmut-negative acromegaly controls. RESULTS: The AIPmut population was predominantly young and male (63.5%); first symptoms occurred as children/adolescents in 50%. At diagnosis, most tumors were macroadenomas (93.3%); extension and invasion was common. Somatotropinomas comprised 78.1% of the cohort; there were also prolactinomas (n = 13), nonsecreting adenomas (n = 7), and a TSH-secreting adenoma. AIPmut somatotropinomas were larger (P = 0.00026), with higher GH levels (P = 0.00068), more frequent extension (P = 0.018) and prolactin cosecretion (P = 0.00023), and occurred 2 decades before controls (P < 0.000001). Gigantism was more common in the AIPmut group (P < 0.000001). AIPmut somatotropinoma patients underwent more surgical interventions (P = 0.00069) and had lower decreases in GH (P = 0.00037) and IGF-I (P = 0.028) and less tumor shrinkage with somatostatin analogs (P < 0.00001) vs. controls. AIPmut prolactinomas occurred generally in young males and frequently required surgery or radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: AIPmut pituitary adenomas have clinical features that may negatively impact treatment efficacy. Predisposition for aggressive disease in young patients, often in a familial setting, suggests that earlier diagnosis of AIPmut pituitary adenomas may have clinical utility.