Relacorilant, a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator in Development for the Treatment of Patients With Cushing Syndrome, Does Not Cause Prolongation of the Cardiac QT Interval.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of relacorilant, a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator under investigation for the treatment of patients with endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome [CS]), on the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc). METHODS: Three clinical studies of relacorilant were included: (1) a first-in-human, randomized, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose (up to 500 mg of relacorilant) study in healthy volunteers; (2) a phase 1 placebo- and positive-controlled thorough QTc (TQT) study of 400 and 800 mg of relacorilant in healthy volunteers; and (3) a phase 2, open-label study of up to 400 mg of relacorilant administered daily for up to 16 weeks in patients with CS. Electrocardiogram recordings were taken, and QTc change from baseline (ΔQTc) was calculated. The association of plasma relacorilant concentration with the effect on QTc in healthy volunteers was assessed using linear mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: Across all studies, no notable changes in the electrocardiogram parameters were observed. At all time points and with all doses of relacorilant, including supratherapeutic doses, ΔQTc was small, generally negative, and, in the placebo-controlled studies, similar to placebo. In the TQT study, placebo-corrected ΔQTc with relacorilant was small and negative, whereas placebo-corrected ΔQTc with moxifloxacin positive control showed rapid QTc prolongation. These results constituted a negative TQT study. The model-estimated slopes of the concentration-QTc relationship were slightly negative, excluding an association of relacorilant with prolonged QTc. CONCLUSION: At all doses studied, relacorilant consistently demonstrated a lack of QTc prolongation in healthy volunteers and patients with CS, including in the TQT study. Ongoing phase 3 studies will help further establish the overall benefit-risk profile of relacorilant.

Genetically engineered human pituitary corticotroph tumor organoids exhibit divergent responses to glucocorticoid receptor modulators.

Cushing's disease (CD) is a serious endocrine disorder attributed to an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) that that subsequently leads to chronic hypercortisolemia. PitNET regression has been reported following treatment with the investigational selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulator relacorilant, but the mechanisms behind that effect remain unknown. Human PitNET organoid models were generated from induced human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or fresh tissue obtained from CD patient PitNETs (hPITOs). Genetically engineered iPSC derived organoids were used to model the development of corticotroph PitNETs expressing USP48 (iPSCUSP48) or USP8 (iPSCUSP8) somatic mutations. Organoids were treated with the GR antagonist mifepristone or the GR modulator relacorilant with or without somatostatin receptor (SSTR) agonists pasireotide or octreotide. In iPSCUSP48 and iPSCUSP8 cultures, mifepristone induced a predominant expression of SSTR2 with a concomitant increase in ACTH secretion and tumor cell proliferation. Relacorilant predominantly induced SSTR5 expression and tumor cell apoptosis with minimal ACTH induction. Hedgehog signaling mediated the induction of SSTR2 and SSTR5 in response to mifepristone and relacorilant. Relacorilant sensitized PitNET organoid responsiveness to pasireotide. Therefore, our study identified the potential therapeutic use of relacorilant in combination with somatostatin analogs and demonstrated the advantages of relacorilant over mifepristone, supporting its further development for use in the treatment of Cushing's disease patients.

Corrigendum: Relacorilant, a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator, Induces Clinical Improvements in Patients With Cushing Syndrome: Results From A Prospective, Open-Label Phase 2 Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.662865.].

Biochemical and Radiological Changes in Liver Steatosis Following Mifepristone Treatment in Patients With Hypercortisolism.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder in Western industrialized countries and may progress to liver injury. Cortisol is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, and cortisol modulation has shown efficacy in preclinical models. However, published reports on the clinical effects of glucocorticoid receptor antagonism in these patients are limited. CASE REPORT: Two women (aged 66 and 60 years) with endogenous hypercortisolism presented with a history of hepatic steatosis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Both patients declined adrenalectomy or pituitary tumor surgery, and treatment with mifepristone 300 mg daily was initiated. During mifepristone treatment (follow up durations ranging from 10 months to 5 years), improvements in hypercortisolism-related cardiometabolic abnormalities were observed, including the normalization of lipid levels and improvement of hyperglycemia. In both cases, findings on follow-up imaging revealed resolution of fatty liver, which was supported by a decrease in liver enzymes on liver function tests. No adverse events were reported. DISCUSSION: NAFLD is frequently observed in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism. Improvement in liver function tests has previously been demonstrated in patients with hypercortisolism treated with mifepristone. The present cases showed, for the first time, radiological improvement of liver steatosis following mifepristone use in patients with hypercortisolism and NAFLD. CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrated improvements in biochemical and imaging parameters of NAFLD in patients with hypercortisolism treated with mifepristone. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of glucocorticoid receptor modulation in fatty liver disease.

Relacorilant, a Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator, Induces Clinical Improvements in Patients With Cushing Syndrome: Results From A Prospective, Open-Label Phase 2 Study.

Introduction/Purpose: Relacorilant is a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator (SGRM) with no progesterone receptor activity. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of relacorilant in patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS). Materials and Methods: A single-arm, open-label, phase 2, dose-finding study with 2 dose groups (NCT02804750, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02804750) was conducted at 19 sites in the U.S. and Europe. Low-dose relacorilant (100-200 mg/d; n = 17) was administered for 12 weeks or high-dose relacorilant (250-400 mg/d; n = 18) for 16 weeks; doses were up-titrated by 50 mg every 4 weeks. Outcome measures included proportion of patients with clinically meaningful changes in hypertension and/or hyperglycemia from baseline to last observed visit. For patients with hypertension, clinical response was defined as a ≥5-mmHg decrease in mean systolic or diastolic blood pressure, measured by a standardized and validated 24-h ABPM. For patients with hyperglycemia, clinical response was defined ad-hoc as ≥0.5% decrease in HbA1c, normalization or ≥50-mg/dL decrease in 2-h plasma glucose value on oral glucose tolerance test, or decrease in daily insulin (≥25%) or sulfonylurea dose (≥50%). Results: 35 adults with CS and hypertension and/or hyperglycemia (impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus) were enrolled, of which 34 (24 women/10 men) received treatment and had postbaseline data. In the low-dose group, 5/12 patients (41.7%) with hypertension and 2/13 patients (15.4%) with hyperglycemia achieved response. In the high-dose group, 7/11 patients (63.6%) with hypertension and 6/12 patients (50%) with hyperglycemia achieved response. Common (≥20%) adverse events included back pain, headache, peripheral edema, nausea, pain at extremities, diarrhea, and dizziness. No drug-induced vaginal bleeding or hypokalemia occurred. Conclusions: The SGRM relacorilant provided clinical benefit to patients with CS without undesirable antiprogesterone effects or drug-induced hypokalemia.

Evaluation of FKBP5 as a cortisol activity biomarker in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of FKBP5 as a cortisol activity biomarker in patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome (CS). METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, noninterventional study of a cortisol activity biomarker in adult patients (≥18 years) with documented ACTH-dependent, endogenous CS. The impact of surgery on FKBP5 mRNA expression levels in these patients and the difference in expression levels between these patients and healthy controls were evaluated. Cortisol and biomarker samples were collected before and immediately after surgery. A custom NanoString assay was used to quantify FKBP5 mRNA expression levels. The same method was used to analyze healthy volunteer samples collected from a different study. RESULTS: Surgery was considered successful in 14/24 patients (58.3%) and changes from baseline in serum cortisol were -92.6% (P = 0.0005) and -43.8% (not significant) in patients with successful and unsuccessful surgeries, respectively. A strong positive correlation between FKBP5 and cortisol levels was observed (before surgery: r = 0.72, P = 0.0002; after surgery: r = 0.85, P < 0.0001). After successful surgery, FKBP5 expression levels were similar to those of healthy subjects. In patients without surgical success, FKBP5 levels remained unchanged from baseline and distinct from healthy subjects (P = 0.0025). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that FKBP5 levels are higher in the presence of excess cortisol exposure in patients with CS and decrease to normal baseline levels after successful surgery. These findings suggest that FKBP5 can serve as a measure of biological cortisol activity and set the stage for the development of an FKBP5 mRNA expression assay as a biomarker of cortisol activity.

Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Upregulates Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 2 Expression in ACTH-Producing Neuroendocrine Tumors: New Insight Based on the Selective Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator Relacorilant.

Somatostatin exhibits an inhibitory effect on pituitary hormone secretion, including inhibition of growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and it can have antisecretory and antitumor effects on neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that express somatostatin receptors. Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, the finding that glucocorticoids downregulate somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) expression has been used to explain the lack of efficacy of traditional SSTR2-targeting analogs in patients with ACTH-secreting NETs. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism with mifepristone has been shown to reverse the glucocorticoid-induced downregulation of SSTR2; however, the effects of GR modulation on SSTR2 expression in ACTH-secreting NETs, particularly corticotroph pituitary tumors, are not well known. The current study presents new insight from in vitro data using the highly selective GR modulator relacorilant, showing that GR modulation can overcome dexamethasone-induced suppression of SSTR2 in the murine At-T20 cell line. Additional data presented from clinical case observations in patients with ACTH-secreting NETs suggest that upregulation of SSTR2 via GR modulation may re-sensitize tumors to endogenous somatostatin and/or somatostatin analogs. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings from 4 patients [2 ACTH-secreting bronchial tumors and 2 ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors (Cushing disease)] who were treated with relacorilant as part of two clinical studies (NCT02804750 and NCT02762981) are described. In the patients with ectopic ACTH secretion, SSTR2-based imaging (Octreoscan and 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography) performed before and after treatment with relacorilant showed increased radiotracer uptake by the tumor following treatment with relacorilant without change in tumor size at computed tomography. In the patients with Cushing disease who received relacorilant prior to scheduled pituitary surgery, magnetic resonance imaging after a 3-month course of relacorilant showed a reduction in tumor size. Based on these findings, we propose that GR modulation in patients with ACTH-secreting NETs upregulates previously suppressed SSTR2s, resulting in tumor-specific antisecretory and anti-proliferative effects. The effect of relacorilant on pituitary corticotroph tumors is being investigated in an ongoing phase 3 study (NCT03697109; EudraCT 2018-003096-35).

Successful Treatment of Estrogen Excess in Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenocortical Hyperplasia with Leuprolide Acetate.

Primary bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (PBMAH) is an uncommon cause of adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) in which cortisol and occasionally other steroid hormones can be secreted under the influence of aberrantly expressed G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the adrenal cortex. We describe the unique case of a 64-year-old postmenopausal female with PBMAH whose adrenal lesions expressed luteinizing hormone receptors (LHr). She presented initially with CS and underwent right adrenalectomy; a few years later she presented with macromastia and mastodynia, possibly due to estrogen excess from her remaining left adrenocortical masses. Testing before and after treatment with quarterly leuprolide acetate therapy and immunohistochemistry on tissue and targeted sequencing of the genes of interest were performed. Tissue from the patient's right adrenal was tested for P450 aromatase (CYP19A1) and LHr expression; both were expressed throughout the hyperplastic cortex, although expression was more intense in the adenomatous areas. Targeted sequencing revealed a pathogenic PDE11A mutation, as well as variants in the ARMC5 and INHA genes. PDE11A expression was decreased in the adenoma but there was no loss of heterozygosity for the PDE11A locus. Because of the clinical presentation and LHr expression, quarterly leuprolide acetate therapy was started. Shortly after initiation of therapy, the patient reported decreased breast size and pain; she remains well controlled to date, after 10 years of treatment. This is the first description of a patient with PBMAH presenting with severe macromastia and mastodynia from what appears to be excess estrogen production from her adrenal tumor. The patient had a long-lasting response to chronic leuprolide acetate treatment, showing that drug therapy exploiting the aberrant receptor expression in PBMAH is possible even in the absence of cortisol overproduction.

Octreotide long-acting repeatable in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors: patient selection and perspectives.

Over the past three decades, the incidence and prevalence of neuroendocrine tumors have gradually increased. Due to the slow-growing nature of these tumors, most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages. Prognosis and survival are associated with location of primary lesion, biochemical functional status, differentiation, initial staging, and response to therapy. Octreotide, the first synthetic somatostatin analog, was initially used for the management of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with functional carcinoid tumors. Its commercial development over time led to long-acting repeatable octreotide acetate, a long-acting version that provided greater administration convenience. Recent research demonstrates that octreotide's efficacy has evolved beyond symptomatic management to targeted therapy with antitumoral effects. This review examines the history and development of octreotide, provides a synopsis on the classification, grading, and staging of neuroendocrine tumors, and reviews the evidence of long-acting repeatable octreotide acetate as monotherapy and in combination with other treatment modalities in the management of non-pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with special attention to recent high-quality Phase III trials.

The role of glucocorticoid receptors in metabolic syndrome and psychiatric illness.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are involved in a large number of the physiological changes associated with metabolic syndrome and certain psychiatric illness. Although significance is often given to the concentration of GC, its biological action is determined by the activation of intracellular GC receptors (GR). Genetic polymorphisms of the GR and the large array of GR related cofactors can directly or indirectly affect the pathophysiology and evolution of these conditions. This review will discuss the effects of GR mutations on metabolic syndrome and psychotic depression.

Effects of Mifepristone on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Patient with a Cortisol-Secreting Adrenal Adenoma.

Cushing syndrome (CS), a complex, multisystemic condition resulting from prolonged exposure to cortisol, is frequently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In patients with adrenal adenoma(s) and NAFLD, it is essential to rule out coexisting endocrine disorders like CS, so that the underlying condition can be properly addressed. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, prediabetes, dyslipidemia, biopsy-confirmed steatohepatitis, and benign adrenal adenoma, who was referred for endocrine work-up for persistent weight gain. Overt Cushing features were absent. Biochemical evaluation revealed nonsuppressed cortisol on multiple 1-mg dexamethasone suppression tests, suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone, and low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. The patient initially declined surgery and was treated with mifepristone, a competitive glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. In addition to improvements in weight and hypertension, substantial reductions in her liver enzymes were noted, with complete normalization by 20 weeks of therapy. This case suggests that autonomous cortisol secretion from adrenal adenoma(s) could contribute to the metabolic and liver abnormalities in patients with NAFLD. In conclusion, successful management of CS with mifepristone led to marked improvement in the liver enzymes of a patient with long-standing NAFLD.

Mifepristone Improves Octreotide Efficacy in Resistant Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome.

A 30-year-old Caucasian man presented with severe Cushing's syndrome (CS) resulting from ectopic adrenocorticotropin syndrome (EAS) from a metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The patient remained hypercortisolemic despite treatment with steroidogenesis inhibitors, chemotherapy, and octreotide long-acting release (LAR) and was enrolled in a 24-week, phase 3 clinical trial of mifepristone for inoperable hypercortisolemia. After mifepristone was added to ongoing octreotide LAR treatment, EAS symptoms essentially resolved. Cortisol decreased dramatically, despite mifepristone's competitive glucocorticoid receptor antagonist effects. The clinical and biochemical effects reversed upon mifepristone discontinuation despite the continued use of octreotide LAR therapy. Substantial improvement in octreotide LAR efficacy with mifepristone use was noted in this patient with ectopic CS, consistent with upregulation of somatostatin receptors previously downregulated by hypercortisolemia.

Adrenal Lymphangioma Masquerading as a Catecholamine Producing Tumor.

Objective. To report the unusual case of an adrenal lymphangioma presenting in a patient with an adrenal cystic lesion and biochemical testing concerning for pheochromocytoma. The pertinent diagnostic and imaging features of adrenal lymphangiomas are reviewed. Methods. We describe a 59-year-old patient who presented with hyperhidrosis and a 2.2 by 2.2 cm left adrenal nodule. Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated plasma-free normetanephrine, urine normetanephrine, urine vanillylmandelic acid, and urine norepinephrine levels. Elevated plasma norepinephrine levels were not suppressed appropriately with clonidine administration. Results. Given persistent concern for pheochromocytoma, the patient underwent adrenalectomy. The final pathology was consistent with adrenal lymphangioma. Conclusions. Lymphangiomas are benign vascular lesions that can very rarely occur in the adrenal gland. Imaging findings are generally consistent with a cyst but are nonspecific. Excluding malignancy in patients presenting with adrenal cysts can be difficult. Despite its benign nature, the diagnosis of adrenal lymphangioma may ultimately require pathology.

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.

Profiles of 21-Carbon Steroids in 21-hydroxylase Deficiency.

CONTEXT: Marked elevations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) are characteristic of classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD). Testing of 17OHP provides the basis for 21OHD diagnosis, although it suffers from several pitfalls. False-positive or false-negative results and poor discrimination of nonclassic 21OHD from carriers limit the utility of serum 17OHP and necessitate dynamic testing after cosyntropin stimulation when values are indeterminate. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to provide a detailed characterization of 21-carbon (C21) steroids in classic 21OHD, which might identify other candidate steroids that could be employed for the diagnosis of 21OHD. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients (11 women, 10 men) with classic 21OHD and 21 sex- and age-matched controls seen in a tertiary referral center were studied. METHODS: C21 steroids in the peripheral sera from all subjects, as well as in media from cultured testicular adrenal rest tumor (TART) cells and normal adrenal (NA) cells, were analyzed using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (10 steroids). Additionally, the dynamics of C21 steroid metabolism in TART and NA cells were assessed with radiotracer studies. RESULTS: Five C21 steroids were significantly higher in 21OHD patients: 17OHP (67-fold; P < .01), 21-deoxycortisol (21dF; 35-fold; P < .01), 16α-hydroxyprogesterone (16OHP; 28-fold; P < .01), progesterone (2-fold; P < .01), and 11ß-hydroxyprogesterone (11OHP; not detected in controls; P < .01). The same steroids were the highest in media from TART cells relative to the NA cells: 11OHP, 58- to 65-fold; 21dF, 30- to 41-fold; 17OHP, 9-fold; progesterone, 9- to 12-fold; and 16OHP, 7-fold. CONCLUSION: Measurement of 16OHP and 11OHP along with 17OHP and 21dF by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry might comprise a biomarker panel to accurately diagnose all forms of 21OHD.

Elevated interleukin-10: a new cause of dyslipidemia leading to severe HDL deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Investigating mechanisms underlying acquired severe HDL deficiency in noncritically ill patients ("disappearing HDL syndrome") could provide new insights into HDL metabolism. OBJECTIVE: To determine the cause of low HDL-C in patients with severe acquired HDL deficiency. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (n = 2), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 1), and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (n = 1) presenting with markedly decreased HDL-C, low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and elevated triglycerides were identified. The abnormal lipoprotein profile returned to normal after therapy in all 4 patients. All patients were found to have markedly elevated serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels that also normalized after therapy. In a cohort of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome patients (n = 93), IL-10 showed a strong inverse correlation with HDL-C (R(2) = 0.3720, P < .0001). A direct causal role for increased serum IL-10 in inducing the observed changes in lipoproteins was established in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of recombinant human IL-10 in psoriatic arthritis patients (n = 18). Within a week of initiating subcutaneous recombinant human IL-10 injections, HDL-C precipitously decreased to near-undetectable levels. LDL-C also decreased by more than 50% (P < .0001) and triglycerides increased by approximately 2-fold (P < .005). All values returned to baseline after discontinuing IL-10 therapy. CONCLUSION: Increased IL-10 causes severe HDL-C deficiency, low LDL-C, and elevated triglycerides. IL-10 is thus a potent modulator of lipoprotein levels, a potential new biomarker for B-cell disorders, and a novel cause of disappearing HDL syndrome.

Genetics, diagnosis, and management of medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma.

OBJECTIVE: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PHEO/PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. Because of the increased metastatic rates in certain genetic backgrounds, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improved patient outcomes. Our objective was to summarize recent findings related to the genetics, diagnosis, and management of MTC and PHEO/PGL. METHODS: A literature review was performed. RESULTS: MTC is primarily associated with mutations in the rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene. Determining the specific genetic mutation can guide patient management and screening. Early detection and appropriate surgical management of MTC is critical to prevent or limit metastatic spread, as treatment options for patients with metastatic disease are limited. PHEO/PGL also has a strong genetic component, with approximately 50% of cases linked to germline and somatic mutations in 15 genes. Although most PHEO/PGLs are benign, factors such as genetic background, size, tumor location, and high methoxytyramine levels are associated with higher rates of metastatic disease. The state-of-the-art diagnosis and localization of PHEO/PGLs is based on measurement of plasma metanephrines and methoxytyramine and functional imaging studies. For both PHEO/PGL and MTC, surgery is the only curative treatment. Treatment options for patients with metastatic disease are limited. CONCLUSION: As genetic testing becomes more widely available, the diagnosis of MTC and PHEO/PGL will be made earlier due to routine screening of at-risk patients. In addition, continued advances in basic science, diagnostic methods, and imaging techniques will improve understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases and facilitate the introduction of novel treatment strategies for patients with metastatic disease.

Hypercalcemia associated with mineral oil-induced sclerosing paraffinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Granuloma-forming diseases such as sarcoidosis are associated with extrarenal synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. We describe a case of extensive skin lesions associated with mineral oil injections in which we provide evidence for cutaneous granuloma synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D in the pathogenesis of the patient's hypercalcemia. METHODS: Analysis of expression of the 25(OH)D-1a-hydroxylase (1-a OHase [CYP27b1]) was carried out by immunohistochemical analysis of involved skin. RESULTS: In involved skin, expression of CYP27b1 was found in the dermis, where it is not normally expressed. Successful management of hypercalcemia was achieved with glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercalcemia associated with mineral oil induced skin lesions is likely driven by unregulated expression of CYP27b1 by inflammatory monocytes and macrophages infiltrating the dermis.

Gene mutations that promote adrenal aldosterone production, sodium retention, and hypertension.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of secondary hypertension, found in about 5% of all hypertension cases, and up to 20% of resistant hypertension cases. The most common forms of PA are an aldosterone-producing adenoma and idiopathic (bilateral) hyperaldosteronism. Rare genetic forms of PA exist and, until recently, the only condition with a known genetic mechanism was familial hyperaldosteronism type 1, also known as glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (FHA1/GRA). FHA type 3 has now been shown to derive from germline mutations in the KCNJ5 gene, which encodes a potassium channel found on the adrenal cells. Remarkably, somatic mutations in KCNJ5 are found in about one-third of aldosterone-producing adenomas, and these mutations are likely to be involved in their pathogenesis. Finally, mutations in the genes encoding an L-type calcium channel (CACNA1D) and in genes encoding a sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (ATP1A1) or a calcium adenosine triphosphatase (ATP2B3) are found in other aldosterone-producing adenomas. These findings provide a working model, in which adenoma formation and/or aldosterone production in many cases derives from increased calcium entry, which drives the pathogenesis of primary aldosteronism.

ZNF764 haploinsufficiency may explain partial glucocorticoid, androgen, and thyroid hormone resistance associated with 16p11.2 microdeletion.

CONTEXT: Nuclear hormone receptors exert their transcriptional effects through shared cofactor molecules; thus, defects in such intermediate proteins may be associated with multiple hormone resistance. Microdeletion of small chromosomal segments results in hereditary or sporadic diseases by affecting expression of residing genes. OBJECTIVES: We describe a 7-yr-old boy with partial resistance to glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, and possibly androgens. He was diagnosed as being in the autism spectrum disorder and had developmental delay and several facial morphological manifestations. We explored genes responsible for multiple hormone resistance of this case. RESULTS: We found in this patient an approximately 1.1-Mb heterozygous 16p11.2 microdeletion, which included an approximately 500-kb unique deletion along with the common, previously reported approximately 600-kb 16p11.2 microdeletion. The small interfering RNA-based screening revealed that knockdown of ZNF764, which is located in the deleted segment unique to our case, significantly reduced glucocorticoid-, androgen-, and thyroid hormone-induced transcriptional activity of their responsive genes in HeLa cells, whereas its overexpression enhanced their transcriptional activity. The activities of the estrogen and progesterone receptors, cAMP response element-binding protein, and p53 were not affected in these cells. ZNF764 (zinc finger protein 764) expression was reduced in the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells, whereas exogenously supplemented ZNF764 recovered responsiveness to glucocorticoids in the patient's Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes. The effect of ZNF764 on the glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activity was mediated through cooperation with a general nuclear hormone receptor coactivator, transcriptional intermediary factor 1. CONCLUSIONS: ZNF764 haploinsufficiency caused by microdeletion may be responsible for the partial multiple hormone resistance observed in our patient. ZNF764 appears to be involved in glucocorticoid, androgen, and thyroid hormone action.