Graves' disease TSHR-stimulating antibodies (TSAbs) induce the activation of immature thymocytes: a clue to the riddle of TSAbs generation?

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disease defined by the production of stimulating autoantibodies to the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) (TSAbs) that induce a sustained state of hyperthyroidism in patients. We previously demonstrated that TSHR, the target of this autoimmune response, is also a key susceptibility gene for GD, probably acting through thymic-dependent central tolerance. We also showed that TSHR is, unexpectedly, expressed in thymocytes.

Evolution of differentiated thyroid cancer: a decade of thyroidectomies in a single institution.

Background: Numerous studies have shown an increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) in recent years.

Objectives: In this paper, we reviewed the incidence of TC in a series of patients undergoing thyroid surgery at a single institution over a 10-year period.

Patients And Methods: The cohorts were divided into two periods (2001-2005 and 2006-2010) with the purpose of comparing various clinicopathologic variables.

Preoperative TSH level and risk of thyroid cancer in patients with nodular thyroid disease: nodule size contribution.

Background: Many reports have supported the relationship between high preoperative TSH levels and risk of thyroid cancer in nodular thyroid disease (NTD).

Objectives: We investigated whether TSH levels are related to the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy for NTD. The relationship between TSH and size of malignant nodule was investigated.

[Abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in acromegaly].

Background And Objective: Carbohydrate metabolism (CHM) is impaired in over 50% of acromegalic patients. Natural history of acromegaly and treatment modalities may impact in a different way on CHM. We assessed CHM alterations in acromegaly and their relationship with clinical features and treatment options.

Low frequency of GITR+ T cells in ex vivo and in vitro expanded Treg cells from type 1 diabetic patients.

Reported alterations in T(reg) cells from type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients led us to a revision of their phenotypical features compared with controls. A fine cytometric analysis was designed for their characterization, using a panel of markers including FOXP3, CTLA4, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family related (GITR) and CD127. The frequency of peripheral CD4(+)CD25(hi) T(reg) cells was similar between samples.

Second primary cancer in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background And Aim: There is an increased incidence of secondary primary cancer (SPC) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The risk is stronger in the first year after the first malignancy (synchronous tumours). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SPC in patients with PTC, and to analyse whether the timing of tumour presentation influenced the clinicopathological characteristics of PTC.

Sorafenib in metastatic thyroid cancer.

Although thyroid cancer usually has an excellent prognosis, few therapeutic options are available in the refractory setting. Based on the recent results of phase II studies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we designed a retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic thyroid cancer treated with sorafenib in seven Spanish referral centers. Consecutive patients with progressive metastatic thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic) not suitable for curative surgery, radioactive-iodine therapy, or radiotherapy were treated with sorafenib 400 mg twice a day.

Preoperative thyrotropin serum concentrations gradually increase from benign thyroid nodules to papillary thyroid microcarcinomas then to papillary thyroid cancers of larger size.

We evaluated the preoperative serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels in 386 patients operated on for nodular thyroid disease (NTD). TSH levels for cases with final benign disease and differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) were compared. No evidence of cancer was detected in 310 patients (80.

Differences in the Form of Presentation between Papillary Microcarcinomas and Papillary Carcinomas of Larger Size.

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) with a diameter ≤1 cm are referred to as papillary microcarcinomas (PTMCs). The prognostic factors for PTMCs have not been defined. Different clinical and histopathologic variables were studied in 152 PTCs, including 74 PTMCs and 78 PTCs of larger size.

[Usefulness of the immunohistochemical analysis of several molecular markers in the characterization of papillary thyroid carcinoma with initial lymph node metastasis].

Introduction And Objective: Regional lymph node metastases (LNM) are a common finding in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Approximately half of patients have LNM at diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyze immunohistochemically the combined expression of different PTC-related molecules in order to identify cases with a tendency to show LNM.

Targeted therapies in thyroid cancer.

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is the most frequent neoplasm of the endocrine system. Although thyroid cancer usually has an excellent prognosis, no therapeutic options are available for patients that develop metastases and are or became resistant to radioiodine therapy. The deeper knowledge of molecular aberrations that characterize tumor growth has provided novel targets in cancer therapy.

[The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in papillary thyroid cancer. From the molecular bases to clinical practice].

In recent years, significant progress has been made in elucidating the genetic bases promoting tumorigenesis in various human neoplasms. Constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a major event in the carcinogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the most prevalent endocrine malignancy. Affected elements include RET/PTC rearrangements and point mutations of the Ras and BRAF genes.

Expression of p21cip1, p27kip1, and p16INk4a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in papillary thyroid carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological factors.

In a variety of human malignancies, aberrant expression of proteins involved in the control of cell-cycle progression has been reported. In this study, p21cip1, p27kip1, and p16INk4a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors were analyzed to evaluate their usefulness in clinical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Archived material derived from 46 cases of PTC was analyzed immunohistochemically.

Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, outcome, morbidity and mortality in acromegaly based on the Spanish Acromegaly Registry (Registro Espanol de Acromegalia, REA).

Objective: To undertake a multicentre epidemiological study reflecting acromegaly in Spain.

Design: Voluntary reporting of data on patients with acromegaly to an online database, by the managing physician.

Methods: Data on demographics, diagnosis, estimated date of initial symptoms and diagnosis, pituitary imaging, visual fields, GH and IGF-I concentrations (requested locally), medical, radiotherapy and neurosurgical treatments, morbidity and mortality were collected.

[Usefullness of intraoperatory parathyroid hormone measurement in surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma].

Background And Objective: Surgical neck exploration of the 4 parathyroid glands is quite an aggressive procedure for most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) due to a parathyroid adenoma. Intraoperatory measurement of parathyroid hormone (PTH) seems to be a useful tool for the management of these cases, allowing the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques with a lower morbidity. Our aims was to assess the usefulness of PTH intraoperatory measurement for the surgical management of PHPT.