Long-term safety of growth hormone replacement therapy in survivors of cancer and tumors of the pituitary region.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a common complication in survivors of cancer and patients with tumors of the pituitary region. Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHT) has proven beneficial effects, including increased growth velocity, positive effects on body composition and skeletal integrity, and increased quality of life. However, due to known pro-proliferative, angiogenic, and anti-apoptotic properties of growth hormone, there are still some concerns about the safety of GHT in survivors.

Dissecting the In Vitro Efficacy of Octreotide and Cabergoline in GH- and GH/PRL-Secreting Pituitary Tumors.

Context: Cabergoline (CAB) is an off-label medical therapy for acromegaly, overshadowed by first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands, eg, octreotide (OCT).

Objective: This was a head-to-head comparison between OCT and CAB in inhibiting growth hormone (GH) secretion in primary cultures of GH- and GH/prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumors; we also investigated the role of somatostatin (SST) and dopamine type 2 (D2R) receptor expression.

Methods: We evaluated the antisecretory effect of OCT and CAB, together with receptor mRNA expression, in 23 tumor cultures obtained from acromegaly patients referred to the Erasmus Medical Center (Rotterdam, The Netherlands).

KETOgenic diet therapy in patients with HEPatocellular adenoma: study protocol of a matched interventional cohort study.

Introduction: Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is an uncommon, solid and benign liver lesion, mainly occurring in women using oral contraceptives. Patients are advised to stop using oral contraceptives (OC) and, as overweight is frequently observed, dietary restrictions. Metabolic changes are assumed to play a role and it has been suggested that diet may help to reduce tumour size.

Can biomarkers be used to improve diagnosis and prediction of metabolic syndrome in childhood cancer survivors? A systematic review.

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk to develop metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Common criteria underestimate adiposity and possibly underdiagnose MetS, particularly after abdominal radiotherapy. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the diagnostic and predictive value of nine newer MetS related biomarkers (adiponectin, leptin, uric acid, hsCRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, apolipoprotein B (apoB), and lipoprotein(a) [lp(a)]) in survivors and adult non-cancer survivors was performed by searching PubMed and Embase.

Trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) versus DSAEK.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) versus standard DSAEK.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis using data from a multicentre randomized clinical trial was performed. The time horizon was 12 months postoperatively.