There are several well-described molecular mechanisms that influence cell growth and are related to the development of cancer. Chemokines constitute a fundamental element that is not only involved in local growth but also affects angiogenesis, tumor spread, and metastatic disease. Among them, the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor the chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) have been widely studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe mechanisms triggering metastasis in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma are unknown, hindering therapeutic options for patients with metastatic tumors (mPPGL). Herein we show by genomic profiling of a large cohort of mPPGLs that high mutational load, microsatellite instability and somatic copy-number alteration burden are associated with ATRX/TERT alterations and are suitable prognostic markers. Transcriptomic analysis defines the signaling networks involved in the acquisition of metastatic competence and establishes a gene signature related to mPPGLs, highlighting CDK1 as an additional mPPGL marker.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: PET/MRI is an emerging imaging modality which enables the evaluation and quantification of biochemical processes in tissues, complemented with accurate anatomical information and low radiation exposure. In the framework of theragnosis, PET/MRI is of special interest due to its ability to delineate small lesions, adequately quantify them, and therefore to plan targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic performance of [ Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/MRI compared to PET/CT in advanced disease paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PGGLs) to assess in which clinical settings, PET/MRI may have a greater diagnostic yield.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are two entities closely linked together. DM has been described as a risk factor for the development of pNETs and for the aggressiveness of the disease. On the other hand, DM due to pNETs is frequently undiagnosed or misclassified as type 2 DM when it is due to type 3 DM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) with [I]MIBG and [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE is an alternative treatment to the classic schemes in slow progressive metastatic/inoperable paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO). There is no consensus on which treatment to administer and/or the best sequence in patients who are candidates for both therapies. To clarify these questions, this systematic review assesses the prognostic value of [I]MIBG and Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (PRRT-Lu) treatments in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) both globally and considering the primary location.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The aim of the study is to assess phenotypic imaging patterns and the response to treatment with [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and/or [I]MIBG in paragangliomas (PGLs) and pheochromocytomas (PHEOs), globally and according to the primary location.
Methods: This is a 17-patient retrospective observational study, with 9 cases treated with [Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and 8 with [I]MIBG (37 total treatments). Functional imaging scans and treatment responses were studied in order to choose the best therapeutic option and to define the progression-free survival (PFS) and disease control rate (DCR) according to treatment modality and primary location.
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are heterogeneous neoplasms which arise from neuroendocrine cells that are distributed widely throughout the body. Although heterogenous, many of them share their ability to overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on their cell surface. Due to this, SSTR and somatostatin have been a large subject of interest in the discovery of potential biomarkers and treatment options for the disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuroendocrine tumors (NETs) frequently overexpress somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on their cell surface. The first-line pharmacological treatment for inoperable metastatic functioning well-differentiated NETs are somatostatin analogs. On second line, Lu-DOTA-TATE (Lu-DOTA Tyr octreotate) has shown stabilization of the disease and an increase in progression free survival, as well as effectiveness in controlling symptoms and increasing quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To explore the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide in the hospital setting in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute coronary syndrome and to evaluate the safety and efficacy and its impact on hospitalization and short-term glycemic variability (GV).
Methods: A 12-week, open-label, prospective, randomized pilot clinical study with parallel groups that compared liraglutide (group 1) with glargine (group 2) and its impact on glycemic control and GV.
Results: Thirteen patients were included.
Background: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation is a proven option of treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and related end-stage renal disease. There is discrepancy between the results of different studies about the impact of prolonged normalization of glucose metabolism achieved by SPK on the course of diabetic complications including severe forms of diabetic neuropathy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients undergoing SPK transplantation and its evolution 10 years after transplantation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlycemic variability (GV) has been recently described as an independent cardiovascular risk factor in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Also, new findings suggest that GV plays an important role in the development of complications related to impaired glucose metabolism and oxidative stress. On the other hand, although treatment for diabetes can reduce HbA1c in a similar extent their effectiveness over GV can be radically different.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBACKGROUND Pancreas transplantation can be a viable treatment option for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), especially for those who are candidates for kidney transplantation. T1DM may rarely recur after pancreas transplantation, causing the loss of pancreatic graft. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of T1DM recurrence after pancreas transplantation in our series.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease prevalence of which is high and continually growing. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in patients with T2DM. The prevention of cardiovascular complications and the cardiovascular safety of treatments should be a primary objective when selecting treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Malnutrition is a common health problem, especially in hospitalized patients, where it's associated with longer hospital stays and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, current scientific advances and life expectancy increase, have produced a progressive increase of mid- to long-term stay units (UMLE).
Aims: To determinate the prevalence of malnutrition on admission to a mid- to long-term stay unit, using MNA and VGS and to analyze the possible factors/clinical features associated with malnutrition and its consequences.
We evaluated whether 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) (GlycoMark(®)), a test for measuring postprandial glucose and glucose variability, could be a tool for assessing short-term glycemic control in islet cell transplant (ICT) subjects. Data of 21 subjects, with type 1 DM and allogenic islet transplantation, who had concomitant fructosamine, HbA1c, 1,5-AG (n = 85 samples), and capillary glucose self-monitoring measurements (n = 2,979) were analyzed retrospectively at different time points after ICT. A significant negative association was observed between 1,5-AG and HbA1c (p = 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThyroid hormone resistance syndrome is characterized by a reduced target tissue response to the action of thyroid hormone, which leads to high levels of free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine with non-suppressed levels of thyrotropin (TSH). Recently, three cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome were published. The main challenge in this situation is the difficulty of maintaining the suppression of TSH levels without producing symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPancreatic islet allotransplantation is an option for patients with unstable type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Major improvements in islet isolation techniques and the implementation of steroid-free immunosuppressive regimens can maintain insulin independence in the majority of T1DM for at least 1 year after transplantation. Recent studies have emphasized the impact of sirolimus on female reproductive tract.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObesity has recently become one of the most important public health problems. It is associated with a high rate of mortality, mainly because of cardiovascular disease, and can cause hormonal abnormalities such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Weight loss is very beneficial for obese patients, because it results in improvement or even normalization of these conditions.
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