Endocrine Abstracts

First generation somatostatin receptor ligands (SRL) are the first-line drugs in primary acromegaly treatment or after surgical failure in patients with active acromegaly. In previous studies we confirmed the association of the expression of SSTR2, Ki67 and E-cadherin (CDH1) in responsive GH-secreting adenomas response to SRL. Moreover, E-cadherin showed a greater predictive capacity than most of the markers described. Loss of E-cadherin is a typical mark of ...

Introduction: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a sensitive, non-invasive imaging technique capable of measuring brain metabolites in vivo. Chronic exposure to endogenous hypercortisolism in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with negative effects on memory and hippocampal volumes, even after biochemical cure.Objective: To investigate metabolites in the hippocampi of CS patients and controls, using 1</sup...

Ghrelin was isolated from stomach by its ability to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release through the GH-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a). However, ghrelin/GHS-R expression in multiple tissues and tumor types suggested additional roles for this tandem. Ghrelin, a 28-aminoacid peptide, requires a unique O-acylation at its Ser-3 residue to bind GHS-R1a and release GH. Conversely, unacylated ghrelin (UAG), initially considered inactive, seems to play distinct metabolic role...

Two adipokines highly expressed in fat mass, adiponectin with antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic properties, and visfatin with an insulin-mimetic effect, are potential contributors to bone metabolism. In acromegaly data on adiponectin are contradictory and there are no data on visfatin.Objectives: To evaluate adiponectin and visfatin in acromegaly, compared to control subjects and to analyze their relationship with body composition and bone mineral mar...

Chronic exposure to hypercortisolism significantly impacts on patient’s health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We developed a disease-generated questio-nnaire to evaluate HRQoL in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) (CushingQoL); in 125 (104 females) patients recruited in Spain, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy, clinical and hormonal data were collected and correlated with results of the generic SF-36 questionnaire, a question on self-perceived general heal...

High dose and long-term glucocorticoid (GC) therapy reduce bone mass and negatively affect the metabolic profile. Patients in remission after successful treatment of Cushing’s syndrome (CS) often present hypoadrenalism and require long-term GC replacement.Objective: To evaluate the effect of GC therapy on bone and metabolic parameters in women after long-term remission of CS. Materials and methods: Thirty-two women (mean age: 50±14 years) with ...

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are the most common pituitary tumours. They usually come to medical attention because of a mass effect and/or hypopituitarism. Tumour shrinkage during therapy with either dopamine agonists (DA) or somatostatin analogues (SSA) has been previously reported in some cases; however, response of NFPA to medical treatment is still poor and unpredictable. Our aim was to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying this lack of efficacy through ...

For all ERCUSYN investigatorsBackground: Patients with Cushing’s syndrome (CS) have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolic complications. There is currently no standard practise for thromboprophylaxis in CS patients.Aim: To study the details of VTE in patients included in The European Registry on Cushing’s syndrome (ERCUSYN) and study various thromboprophylaxis protocols used among the centres where VTE&#14...

ATL1103 is a second generation antisense 20mer intended to inhibit expression of the GH receptor (GHR) gene. Phosphorothioate and 2′-O-methoxyethyl modifications to nucleotides increase its plasma half-life and affinity for the target RNA to allow post-hybridization RNaseH degradation. We previously reported a phase 2, randomised, open-label, parallel group study of ATL1103 in 26 patients with acromegaly which demonstrated a fall in serum IGF-I of 26% with 200 mg twice w...

ATL1103 is a second generation antisense oligomer directed at the GH receptor. It is a 20mer with a phosphorothioate backbone and 2′-O-methoxyethyl modifications of the five nucleotides at either end intended to increase its plasma half-life and affinity for the target RNA to allow post-hybridization RNaseH degradation. We report a phase 2 randomised, open-label, parallel group study of subcutaneously administered ATL1103 in patients with active acromegaly. Appr...