Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To identify miRNAs predictors of poor prognosis in adrenocortical cancer.Methods: Using microarrays, we evaluated the expression of 728 human miRNAs in six adenomas (ACAs) and twelve carcinomas (ACCs). The ACC group was composed of two subgroups A and B consisting of six recurrent (subgroup A) and six non-recurrent tumors (subgroup B). These two distinct subgroups have been characterized recently (de Reynies et al, 2009) on the basis of distin...

In the normal adrenal gland, serotonin (5-HT) stimulates cortisol secretion through activation of 5-HT4 receptors whereas, in some macronodular adrenal hyperplasia tissues, the corticotropic effect of 5-HT is mediated by ectopic 5-HT7 receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5-HT in the control of cortisol secretion in PPNAD tissues from 12 patients by using molecular, immunohistochemical and pharmacological approaches. RT-PCR studies revealed ove...

ACTH-independent macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH) affects both adrenals, and familial forms are reported, suggesting a genetic origin. Rare mutations have been reported in several genes, including Gs alpha (GNAS), Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), Fumarate Hydratase (FH), and the Glucocorticoids receptor (GR).Objective: To assess the prevalence known genes mutations, and identify new candidate genes in AIMAH.Design and methods: Germl...

Adrenal tumours have an incidence of 2–3% in the general population. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis, has an annual incidence of two per million but representation in pre-selected patient cohorts with adrenal masses undergoing surgery is up to 12%. Differentiating adrenocortical adenomas (ACA) from ACC represents a continuous challenge, with unfavourable sensitivities and specificities provided by tumour size, imaging criteri...

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are defined as malignant by the occurence of metastasis in extra paraganglionic sites. The natural evolution of these tumors remains unknown.The aim of our retrospective study was to define the progression-free survival (PFS) of untreated Malignant Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (MPP) at 12 months (12 m-PFS) and to look for prognostic markers of 12 m-PFS. We analyzed clinical parameters of patients followed within 8...

Mitotane (o,p’DDD) is commonly used for the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), both for advanced disease and in the adjuvant setting. Mitotane induces adrenal insufficiency but specific effects on steroidogenic enzymes are unknown.We investigated 24-h urinary steroid metabolite excretion in ACC patients on adjuvant mitotane (AD) or mitotane for metastatic disease (MET). We compared samples collected before mitotane treatment (BEFORE; MET <...

Objective: To assess outcome of stage III–ENSAT adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients after complete macroscopic resection and prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Methods: A retrospective review of 68 stage III ACC patients treated surgically between 1994 and 2009 in the French COMETE network was performed. Characteristics of patients were reviewed by a single investigator as well as the Weiss score by expe...