Clinical implications of the 2022 WHO classification on the multidisciplinary management of PitNETS patients.

The review explores the 2022 update to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of pituitary adenomas, now referred to as pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), and his possible impact on the clinical management of PitNET patients. The review highlights the differences and the evolution from the 2017 to 2022 version, with the current classification considering the lineage of the tumor cells, cell type, hormones produced, and other auxiliary characteristics for a comprehensive histological classification. The revision in terminology reflects a broader perspective on neuroendocrine neoplasia. The new approach based on transcription factors, hormone expression and other biomarkers has allowed a major revision of the nomenclature and a more accurate classification of pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, in some cases this approach is also assuming a prognostic value, useful in clinical practice. However, despite this elaborate classification and stratification, the review points out the lack of a robust grading or staging system and suggests the need for further research and validation of diagnostic methods. Despite these limitations, the revised classification presents a significant step towards understanding and managing PitNETs patients.

Bone health and skeletal fragility in second- and third-line medical therapies for acromegaly: preliminary results from a pilot single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Skeletal fragility is a clinically relevant and not-reversible complication of acromegaly, involving around 30-40% of patients since the disease diagnosis. Few studies have investigated the effects on skeletal health of medical therapies for acromegaly. In this retrospective longitudinal monocentre study, we investigated the outcome of skeletal fragility in patients treated with Pasireotide Lar in combination with Pegvisomant (Pasi-Lar + Peg-V), also comparing those observed in patients treated with conventional therapies. RESULTS: We included 6 patients treated with Pasi-Lar + Peg-V, 5 patients treated with Peg-V in monotherapy (m-Peg-V), 16 patients treated with Peg-V plus first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs + Peg-V), 9 patients treated with Pasi-Lar. None of the patients treated with Pasi-Lar + Peg-V experienced worsening of spine and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and incident vertebral fractures (i-VFs). Eight patients experienced i-VFs. The frequency of i-VFs was significantly lower in patients treated with the Pasi-Lar + Peg-V (0/8; 0%), as compared to those observed in m-Peg-V treated patients (4/8; 50%, p = 0.02). The frequency of i-VFs was slightly but not significantly higher in Pasi-Lar treated patients (1/8; 12.5% p = 0.6) and in fg-SRLs + Peg-V treated patients (3/8; 37.5% p = 0.364), concerning those treated with Pasi-Lar + Peg-V (0/8; 0%). I-VFs occurred more frequently in patients with higher GH levels at acromegaly diagnosis (p < 0.001), and in patients who experienced a BMD worsening (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data suggested that in conventional and multi-drug resistant acromegaly, the combination therapy Pasi-Lar + Peg-V may prevent the worsening of BMD and the occurrence of i-VFs. Prospective and translational studies should further validate these results and ascertain underlying physiopathology mechanisms.

Long-term pasireotide-LAR treatment in the personalized therapy of patients with complex acromegaly: a collection of clinical experiences.

Pasireotide-LAR is recommended as a second-line treatment for patients with acromegaly. Although the effects of pasireotide-LAR have been well characterized in clinical studies, real-practice evidence is scant, especially in the long term and within the individualization of therapy in patients with comorbidities. To provide additional insight on the individualized approach to acromegaly management, six clinical cases of complex acromegaly treated with pasireotide-LAR for more than 5 years were reported. Pasireotide-LAR allowed the normalization of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) values in all patients and reduced tumour residue volume where present. A good safety profile and long-term tolerability were also reported.

Trouillas's Grading and Post-Surgical Tumor Residue Assessment in Pituitary Adenomas: The Importance of the Multidisciplinary Approach.

BACKGROUND: We aim to assess the role of a multidisciplinary approach in pituitary adenomas (PitNETs) classification, evaluate criteria concordance, and compare intraoperative assessments with post-operative MRIs for tumor remnants. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, histological, and intra- and post-operative data of the treated PitNETs were extracted from prospectively created records. PitNETs were graded according to Trouillas, and the evaluation of the tumor remnants was recorded. RESULTS: Of 362 PitNETs, 306 underwent surgery, with Trouillas grading assigned to 296. Eight-nine radiologically non-invasive PitNETs progressed to grades 1b (27), 2a (42), or 2b (20) due to proliferative or surgical invasiveness criteria. Twenty-six radiologically invasive tumors were graded 2b due to proliferative criteria. Surgical resection details and post-surgical MRI findings revealed that residual tumors were more common in grades 2a and 2b. During surgery, small tumor remnants were documented in 14 patients which were not visible on post-surgical MRI. Post-surgical MRIs identified remnants in 19 PitNETs not seen during surgery, located in lateral recesses of the sella (4), retrosellar (2), or suprasellar regions (7), along the medial wall of the cavernous sinus (6). CONCLUSIONS: The Pituitary Board allows for the correct grading of PitNETs to be obtained and an accurate identification of high-risk patients who should undergo closer surveillance due to tumor remnants.

The Pathogenic RET Val804Met Variant in Acromegaly: A New Clinical Phenotype?

Several genetic investigations were conducted to identify germline and somatic mutations in somatotropinomas, a subtype of pituitary tumors. To our knowledge, we report the first acromegaly patient carrying a RET pathogenic variant: c.2410G>A (rs79658334), p.Val804Met. Alongside the fact that the patient's father and daughter carried the same variant, we investigated the clinical significance of this variant in the context of somatotropinomas and other endocrine tumors, reviewing the RET mutations' oncogenic mechanisms. The aim was to search for new targets to precisely manage and treat acromegaly. Our case describes a new phenotype associated with the RET pathogenic variant, represented by aggressive acromegaly, and suggests consideration for RET mutation screening if NGS for well-established PitNET-associated gene mutations renders negative.

Factors associated with disease control failure in acromegaly patients treated with pegvisomant: an ACROSTUDY analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the probability of achieving acromegaly disease control according to several patient-, disease- and treatment-related factors longitudinally. Methods: We analyzed data from ACROSTUDY, an open-label, noninterventional, post-marketing safety surveillance study conducted in 15 countries. A total of 1546 patients with acromegaly and treated with pegvisomant, with available information on baseline IGF-1 level, were included. Factors influencing IGF-1 control were assessed up to 10 years of follow-up by mixed-effects logistic regression models, taking into account changing values of covariates at baseline and at yearly visits. Twenty-eight anthropometric, clinical and treatment-related covariates were examined through univariate and multivariate analyses. We tested whether the probability of non-control was different than 0.50 (50%) by computing effect sizes (ES) and the corresponding 95% CI. Results: Univariate analysis showed that age <40 years, normal or overweight, baseline IGF-1 <300 µg/L or ranged between 300 and 500 µg/L, and all pegvisomant dose <20 mg/day were associated with a lower probability of acromegaly uncontrol. Consistently, in multivariate analyses, the probability of uncontrolled acromegaly was influenced by baseline IGF-1 value: patients with IGF-1 <300 µg/L had the lowest risk of un-controlled acromegaly (ES = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.23-0.36). The probability of acromegaly uncontrol was also lower for values 300-500 µg/L (ES = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.32-0.43), while it was higher for baseline IGF-1 values ≥700 µg/L (ES = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.53-0.64). Conclusion: Baseline IGF-l levels were a good predictor factor for long-term acromegaly control. On the contrary, our data did not support a role of age, sex, BMI and pegvisomant dose as predictors of long-term control of acromegaly. Significance statement: Among factors that could influence and predict the efficacy of pegvisomant therapy in controlling acromegaly, a central role of baseline IGF-1 values on the probability of achieving a biochemical control of acromegaly during the treatment with pegvisomant was identified, in a real-life setting.

Pancreas as an Unusual Metastatic Site of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case of Very Long-term Follow-up Under Prolonged Treatment with Somatostatin Analogues.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are exceptional. Imaging and treatment based on somatostatin receptors may play a role, though the evidence is unconvincing. CASE PRESENTATION: We have, herein, documented a unique case of metastatic MTC, where pancreatic metastasis was identified by 68Ga-PET/CT, with the disease showing very slow progression during treatment with lanreotide autogel. A 51-year-old woman underwent total thyroidectomy for goiter in 2000, with a postoperative diagnosis of MTC. Due to persistent disease, somatostatin analogues (SSA) treatment commenced in 2005, following a positive acute octreotide test. In 2012, a pathology-confirmed pancreatic metastasis was diagnosed via 68Gallium-positron emission tomography (68Ga-PET/CT). The disease progressed very slowly over 17 years of SSA treatment. CONCLUSION: This uncommon case of pancreatic metastasis from MTC indicates that nuclear medicine techniques might offer valuable additional information. Extended treatment with lanreotide autogel appears to correlate with very slow disease progression in selected patients.

The Multibiomarker Acro-TIME Score Predicts fg-SRLs Response: Preliminary Results of a Retrospective Acromegaly Cohort.

CONTEXT: The prompt control of acromegaly is a primary treatment aim for reducing related disease morbidity and mortality. First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs) are the cornerstone of medical therapies. A non-negligible number of patients do not respond to this treatment. Several predictors of fg-SRL response were identified, but a comprehensive prognostic model is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to design a prognostic model based on clinical and biochemical parameters, and pathological features, including data on immune tumor microenvironment. METHODS: A retrospective, monocenter, cohort study was performed on 67 medically naïve patients with acromegaly. Fifteen clinical, pathological, and radiological features were collected and analyzed as independent risk factors of fg-SRLs response, using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A stepwise selection method was applied to identify the final regression model. A nomogram was then obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were fg-SRLs responders. An increased risk to poor response to fg-SRLs were observed in somatotropinomas with absent/cytoplasmatic SSTR2 expression (OR 5.493 95% CI 1.19-25.16, P = .028), with low CD68+/CD8+ ratio (OR 1.162, 95% CI 1.01-1.33, P = .032). Radical surgical resection was associated with a low risk of poor fg-SRLs response (OR 0.106, 95% CI 0.025-0.447 P = .002). The nomogram obtained from the stepwise regression model was based on the CD68+/CD8+ ratio, SSTR2 score, and the persistence of postsurgery residual tumor and was able to predict the response to fg-SRLs with good accuracy (area under the curve 0.85). CONCLUSION: Although our predictive model should be validated in prospective studies, our data suggest that this nomogram may represent an easy to use tool for predicting the fg-SRL outcome early.

Pediatric craniopharyngiomas: magnetic resonance imaging assessment for hypothalamus-pituitary axis dysfunction and outcome prediction.

BACKGROUND: In adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas, tumor topographical categories, cystic component volume, and magnetic resonance signal intensity may impact prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables associated with pituitary-hypothalamic axis dysfunction and predictive of outcome in children with cystic adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 40 preoperative MRIs of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas to classify tumor topography, volume, and signal intensity of the cystic components and peritumoral edema. Volumes and normalized signal intensity minimum values were extracted from coronal T2-weighted images (nT2min). Radiological variables were compared to pituitary-hypothalamic axis dysfunction-related clinical data and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas were categorized into five topographic classes (12 patients, sellar-suprasellar; seven patients, pseudo-intraventricular; six patients, strict intraventricular; 14 patients, secondary intraventricular; one patient, not strict intraventricular). All cases exhibited a predominant (30 patients, 80%) or total (10 patients, 20%) cystic tumor component and displayed low nT2min percentage values compared to cerebrospinal fluid (42.3% [interquartile range 28.4-54.6%]). Significant associations between tumor topographic classes and pituitary dysfunction (P<0.001), and between peritumoral edema and hypothalamic dysfunction (P<0.001) were found. Considering extent of surgical removal and tumor relapse, volume of the cystic tumor component displayed a positive correlation (P=0.002; r=0.48; P=0.02; r=0.36), while nT2min intensity values exhibited a negative correlation (P=0.01; r= - 0.40; P=0.028; r= - 0.34). CONCLUSION: Severe hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction is associated with tumors along the pituitary stalk and peritumoral edema. Tumor invasion of the third ventricle, tight adherence to the hypothalamus, larger volumes, and lower nT2min intensity of the tumor cystic component are independent predictors of extent of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma excision and recurrence.

Aggressive PitNETs and Potential Target Therapies: A Systematic Review of Molecular and Genetic Pathways.

Recently, advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics have allowed a more thorough understanding of tumorigenesis in aggressive PitNETs (pituitary neuroendocrine tumors) through the identification of specific essential genes, crucial molecular pathways, regulators, and effects of the tumoral microenvironment. Target therapies have been developed to cure oncology patients refractory to traditional treatments, introducing the concept of precision medicine. Preliminary data on PitNETs are derived from preclinical studies conducted on cell cultures, animal models, and a few case reports or small case series. This study comprehensively reviews the principal pathways involved in aggressive PitNETs, describing the potential target therapies. A search was conducted on Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science for English papers published between 1 January 2004, and 15 June 2023. 254 were selected, and the topics related to aggressive PitNETs were recorded and discussed in detail: epigenetic aspects, membrane proteins and receptors, metalloprotease, molecular pathways, PPRK, and the immune microenvironment. A comprehensive comprehension of the molecular mechanisms linked to PitNETs' aggressiveness and invasiveness is crucial. Despite promising preliminary findings, additional research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the indications and effectiveness of target therapies for PitNETs.

Colon Cancer Presenting as Pituitary Mass and Hypopituitarism: Recognition and Multidisciplinary Approach of a Rare Case.

Pituitary metastases are rare. Until now, few cases have been reported; about 50% of pituitary metastases originate from breast or lung cancers. We describe the clinical case of a primary colon carcinoma first presenting with a pituitary metastasis. A 76-year-old woman, with no history of malignancy, presented with headache, dizziness, and diplopia, at the Emergency Department. The neurologic examination was remarkable for complete left ophthalmoplegia with sensitivity deficit on the left side of the face. Radiologic investigations documented a voluminous sellar and suprasellar lesion, with extension in the left cavernous sinus and temporal lobe. Pituitary hormone levels were suggestive of anterior hypopituitarism and mild hyperprolactinemia. Subtotal surgical removal of the lesion was achieved through a trans-sphenoidal endoscopic endonasal approach. The histological examination disclosed a metastasis of gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. A subsequent colonoscopy identified right colon cancer. A contrasted total-body computerized tomography ruled out other metastases. Postsurgical MRI showed a stable parasellar residual tumor. Conventional radiotherapy was scheduled. This case underlines the importance of considering pituitary metastases in the differential diagnosis of aggressive pituitary lesions, which should be managed in a pituitary tumor center of excellence through a multidisciplinary approach, for the complexity in diagnosis and therapeutic management of this rare condition.

Reliability of intraoperative visual evoked potentials (iVEPs) in monitoring visual function during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To refine a reliable and reproducible intraoperative visual evoked potentials (iVEPs) monitoring protocol during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. To assess the reliability of baseline iVEPs in predicting preoperative visual status and perioperative iVEP variation in predicting postoperative visual outcome. METHODS: Sixty-four patients harboring tumors of the pituitary region were included. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) with iVEPs monitoring, using a totally intravenous anesthetic protocol. Ophthalmological evaluation included visual acuity and visual field studies. RESULTS: Preoperatively, visual acuity was reduced in 86% and visual field in 76.5% of cases. Baseline iVEPs amplitude was significantly correlated with preoperative visual acuity and visual field (p = 0.001 and p = 0.0004, respectively), confirming the reliability of the neurophysiological/anesthetic protocol implemented. Importantly, perioperatively the variation in iVEPs amplitude was significantly correlated with the changes in visual acuity (p < 0.0001) and visual field (p = 0.0013). ROC analysis confirmed that iVEPs are an accurate predictor of perioperiative visual acuity improvement, with a 100% positive predictive value in patients with preoperative vision loss. CONCLUSIONS: iVEPs during EEA is highly reliable in describing preoperative visual function and can accurately predict postoperative vision improvement. SIGNIFICANCE: iVEPs represent a promising resource for carrying out a more effective and safe endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery.

Unveiling the Etiopathogenic Spectrum of Hypophysitis: A Narrative Review.

Hypophysitis, a rare inflammatory disorder of the pituitary gland, has seen an uptick in reported cases in recent years. Our objective is to summarize the most recent research on the etiopathogenesis, molecular mechanisms, and genetics of both primary and secondary hypophysitis. Primary autoimmune hypophysitis (PAH): During the acute phase of the disease, the pituitary gland in enlarged due to the infiltration of T and B lymphocytes. The chronic phase is characterized by progressive and irreversible pituitary atrophy. APA may play a role in the management, diagnosis, and prognosis of PAH. Specific autoantibodies such as anti-GH, anti-PIT-1, and anti-T-PIT have been found in patients with hypophysitis and hypopituitarism. A recent study suggested that a mechanism of escaping clonal deletion and mounting an immune response against self antigens can explain the unusual nature of the immune response observed in PAH patients. A cytokine array shows the presence of gamma-interferon and interleukin-17. Patients carrying mutations in the PIT1 or PROP1 genes may present PAH. Individuals carrying the HLA DQ8 haplotype are four times more likely to develop PAH. Immune checkpoint inhibitors induce hypophysitis (IIHs): IIHs is an increasingly frequent toxicity of in patients on treatment with inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death-1 (PD-1). ICIs inhibit the CTLA-4 pathway, leading to overactivation of T lymphocytes. The binding of PD-1/PD-L1 suppresses the activity of T cells, promotes the conversion of T-helpers into T-regulatory cells, and activates pro-survival signaling pathways in cancer cells. Cytokines play a crucial role in IIHs. B-cell infiltration has been observed in IIHs, suggesting that antibody-mediated pituitary injury may contribute. Genetic polymorphisms of CTLA-4 and PD-1 genes can increase the risk of IIHs. HLA alleles may also be involved in the onset of IIHs; this HLA association presents a possible alternative mechanistic hypothesis. IIHs may also be linked to a paraneoplastic syndrome triggered by ectopic expression of pituitary specific antigens. SARS-CoV-2-related hypophysitis: Recently, the literature has reported occurrences of hypophysitis associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus; long COVID-19 may also present as infundibulo-neuro-hypophysitis. The virus enters the central nervous system because of its distinct interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme receptors via spike proteins binding the capillary endothelium, and it directly damages the pituitary cells. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 can occur indirectly through inflammation and the release of cytokines. The exact mechanism remains ambiguous. The available data on endocrine complications associated with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are scant. Nonetheless, isolated cases of hypophysitis have been documented. Treatment of hypophysitis: Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone in managing primary hypophysitis, given their targeted action on inflammation. A better understanding of the etiopathogenesis and molecular mechanism of hypophysitis can lead to more effective and personalized treatment strategies.

Cholecalciferol Use Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Incident Morphometric Vertebral Fractures in Acromegaly.

CONTEXT: Skeletal fragility is observed in 30% to 60% of acromegaly patients, representing an emerging complication of the disease that increases disability. Despite several studies having investigated the clinical and hormonal prognostic factors for the occurrence of vertebral fractures (VFs) in acromegaly, very few data are available on their prevention/treatment including the effect of vitamin D (VD) supplementation, which has been reported to have a fracture-protective effect in several studies in patients with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the role of cholecalciferol (D3) supplementation in the prevention of incident VFs (i-VFs) in acromegaly. METHODS: A longitudinal, retrospective and multicenter study was performed on 61 acromegaly patients treated and untreated with D3 supplementation. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were treated with D3 supplementation according to clinical guidelines. The median D3 weekly dosage was 8500 IU (interquartile range [IQR]: 3900). The median duration of D3 supplementation was 94 months (IQR: 38). At last follow-up, i-VFs were diagnosed in 14 patients (23%). I-VFs were less prevalent in patients on D3 supplementation (14.3% of cases) compared to patients not treated with D3 (85.7%; P = .02). The final level of serum V25OH-D was significantly lower in patients who developed i-VFs (28.6 ng/mL, IQR: 4.1) compared to patients who did not develop i-VFs (34.2 ng/mL, IQR: 9.6; P = .05). The logistic regression confirmed the protective role of D3 supplementation on the occurrence of i-VFs (odds ratio: 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.79; P = .01). CONCLUSION: It is likely that D3 supplementation could lead to a reduction in i-VFs in acromegaly.

Multidisciplinary management of difficult/aggressive growth-hormone pituitary neuro-endocrine tumors.

Growth Hormone-secreting adenomas exhibits variable biological behavior and heterogeneous natural history, ranging from small adenomas and mild disease, to invasive and aggressive neoplasms with more severe clinical picture. Patients not cured or controlled after neurosurgical and first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) therapy could require multiple surgical, medical and/or radiation treatments to achieve disease control. To date, no clinical, laboratory, histopathological, or neuroradiological markers are able to define the aggressiveness or predict the disease prognosis in patients with acromegaly. Therefore, the management of these patients requires careful evaluation of laboratory assessments, diagnostic criteria, neuroradiology examinations, and neurosurgical approaches to choose an effective and patient-tailored medical therapy. A multidisciplinary approach is particularly useful in difficult/aggressive acromegaly to schedule multimodal treatment, which includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy with temozolomide and other, recent emerging treatments. Herein, we describe the role of the different members of the multidisciplinary team according to our personal experience; a flow-chart for the therapeutic approach of difficult/aggressive acromegaly patients is proposed.

CD68+ and CD8+ immune cells are associated with the growth pattern of somatotroph tumors and response to first generation somatostatin analogs.

Somatotropinomas are pituitary tumors with a heterogenous clinical behavior. The tumor microenvironment regulates the interaction between tumor cells and the host immune system, potentially modulating tumor behavior. Here, we aimed to investigate the tumor immune infiltration in a cohort of medically naïve acromegaly patients. A retrospective, monocenter study was designed to analyze the presence of CD3+, CD20+, CD138+, CD4+, CD8+, CD68+ immune cells in samples of somatotropinomas and their prognostic significance on tumor behavior and response to first generation somatostatin analogs (fg-SSA). Thirty-six patients (23 females) were included in the study. Macroadenomas were identified in 23 cases: 12 with cavernous sinus invasion. The number of CD8+ lymphocytes positively correlated with CD4+ lymphocytes (p = .05, r:0.245) and with CD68+ macrophages (p = .01, r = 0.291). The CD8+/CD4+ ratio inversely correlated with CD68+/CD8+ ratio (p < .001, r = -0.626). CD68+ macrophages positively correlated with tumor size (maximum diameter p = .003, r = 0.574; volume p = .009, r = 0.566) and were more numerous in somatotropinomas with Ki-67 > 3% (median 65/HPF, IQR:15), compared to cases with Ki67 < 3% (median 50/HPF, IQR:22, p < .001). CD8+ and CD138+ lymphocytes were more numerous in cases responsive to fg-SSA (respectively median 18/HPF IQR:18 and median 8/HPF IQR: 6.5) as compared to fg-SSA nonresponsive cases (median 14.5/HPF IQR:40 p = .03; median 3.5/HPF IQR: 14 p = .03). CD8+ lymphocytes act as single predictor of response to fg-SSA, independently from age, GH and IGF-I levels, tumor dimension and invasion. Our results support that lymphocytes and macrophages generate an immune network in somatotropinomas and the characteristic of the immune infiltrate may predict treatment outcome.

Pituitary Enlargement and Hypopituitarism in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor hypophysitis (IIHs) is an emerging problem in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We aimed to describe the clinical and molecular features of a multicenter series of IIHs. METHODS: Demographic and clinical features were retrospectively collected for all cases. Anti-pituitary and anti-hypothalamus autoantibodies were also measured. RESULTS: Nine patients were included. Six patients were treated with nivolumab and three with ipilimumab. Secondary hypoadrenalism was diagnosed in all patients. Pituitary MRI showed pituitary enlargement in two cases and no abnormalities in the other seven. Anti-pituitary antibodies were positive in 57.1% of cases and anti-hypothalamus antibodies in 85.7% of cases. Multidisciplinary treatments were established by a neuroendocrinologist and oncologists: all patients were treated with hydrocortisone replacement; ICI was withdrawn in two cases. At follow-up, hypoadrenalism persisted in all cases. Pituitary enlargement on MRI spontaneously recovered in the two affected patients. We found that the typical features of hypophysitis involved more frequently females and patients treated with ipilimumab. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study did not clarify if autoimmune secondary hypoadrenalism and ICI hypophysitis on brain imaging are two sides of the same disease, our preliminary data underline the need for molecular studies of IIHs and of autoimmune ICIs-related hypopituitarism.

Gut Microbiota, LADA, and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An Evolving Relationship.

There is much evidence confirming the crucial role played by the gut microbiota in modulating the immune system in the onset of autoimmune diseases. In this article, we focus on the relationship between alterations in the microbiome and the onset of diabetes mellitus type 1 and LADA, in light of the latest evidence. We will then look at both how the role of the gut microbiota appears to be increasingly crucial in the pathogenesis of these disorders and how this aspect may be instrumental in the development of new potential therapeutic strategies that modulate the gut microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.