Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
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23rd Joint Meeting of the British Endocrine Societies with the European Federation of Endocrine Societies

Oral Communications

Endocrine tumours

ea0007oc23 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Expression of vitamin D metabolism and signalling components in breast tumours compared to paired normals

Townsend K , Guy M , Colston K , Mansi J , Campbell M , Hewison M

Recent studies have highlighted a role for vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), is a potent antiproliferative/proapoptotic agent and its nuclear receptor (vitamin D receptor, VDR) is well expressed in breast tissue. We have investigated whether or not VDR signalling in breast tumours is due to systemic (renal) 1,25D3 or, as with oestrogens, there is local sy...

ea0007oc24 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Microarray analysis of IGF-I mRNA positive and negative breast tumours

Laban C , McCarthy K , Ogunkolade B , Bustin S , Ahmed S , Carpenter R , Jenkins P

Background: There is considerable evidence to support a role for the GH/IGF-I axis in the development of breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated that IGF-I is expressed in both normal and malignant breast tissue, but that approximately 10% of primary breast cancers reveal no IGF-I mRNA expression. However the molecular differences between IGF-I positive and IGF-I negative tumours is unknown.Aims: To investigate the molecular differences between IG...

ea0007oc25 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

PPAR gamma expression in pituitary tumours

Emery M , Merulli C , Bonner S , Nanzer A , Musat M , Galloway M , Grossman A , Korbonits M

It has been reported that both normal pituitary and pituitary tumours express PPAR gamma, a nuclear hormone receptor, the expression being much more abundant in pituitary tumours. It has also been suggested that PPAR gamma agonists, such as the thiazolidenediones, could be used as a therapeutic option for pituitary tumours. In order to investigate this further, 'Real time' PCR was used to assess PPAR gamma RNA expression, and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry was used ...

ea0007oc26 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Mechanisms of HER2 resistance in endocrine tumours

Myers E , Hill A , McDermott E , O'Higgins N , Young L

Introduction: Regulation of HER2 through the transcription factor PEA3 is associated with tumour progression and resistance to endocrine treatment in human breast cancer. The mechanism of this resistance remains unclear. Activation of estrogen receptor co-activator proteins via the MAP-kinase pathway is thought to be central to tamoxifen insensitivity. We hypothesised that activation of HER2 by PEA3 may result in activation of co-activator proteins such as AIB1 (amplified-in-b...

ea0007oc27 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Gamma knife sterotactic radiosurgery for acromegaly

Nawaz A , Newton D , Sandeman D , Rowe J , Ross R , Kemeny A , Newell-Price J

Background: Gamma-Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery (STRS) is a single highly focused dose of radiotherapy used for intracranial pathologies, including pituitary tumours. At the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Sheffield more than 450 patients undergo STRS per year. The UK experience of this modality of treatment for acromegaly is limited because of the few gamma knife units in operation.Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of ...

ea0007oc28 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Biochemical and genetic screening in isolated and familial MEN1

Lee S , Roper E , Kirk R , Howie H , Doane A , Quarrell O , Harrison B , Ross R

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited cancer syndrome characterized by the development of tumours in at least two of the following three main sites: parathyroid, pituitary and endocrine pancreas. Hyperparathyroidism is the most common presenting feature, with a typical age at onset of 20-25 years, and > 90% penetrance by 40 years. After extended family studies, an index case may have no affected relatives and be apparently 'isolated'. We rep...

ea0007oc29 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Clinical experience of intra-arterial calcium gluconate-stimulated hepatic venous sampling in the localisation of insulinomas

Kassim S , Ellis P , Atkinson A , Hunter S , Sheridan B , Russell C , McCance D

Objective: to evaluate the role of pre-operative insulinoma localisation using selective intra-arterial calcium gluconate stimulated hepatic venous sampling.Method: Calcium gluconate (0.025 milliEquivalents Ca per kilogram) is used as a secretagogue to promote insulin secretion. Simultaneous catheterisation of right hepatic vein and pancreatic arterial supply were performed. The secretagogue was infused into the gastroduodenal, splenic, common hepatic an...

ea0007oc30 | Endocrine tumours | BES2004

Effect of human growth hormone in haemato-oncology patients receiving intensive chemotherapy. A double blind randomized, placebo-controlled study

Powles R , Sirohi B , Das M , Kulkarni S , Treleaven J , Dearden C , Morgan G , McCormack R , Wass J

Patients with haematological malignancies receiving neutropenia inducing chemotherapy sometimes have delayed discharge because of debility relating to complications of treatment. We assessed if these problems could be reduced by human growth hormone (GH) and also if haemopoetic recovery was quicker because stem cells have receptors for GH. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, trial patients were assigned to receive either GH, 250 mcg BD (n =75) or placebo (n =75)...