Endocrine Abstracts

Inhibiting tumor angiogenesis by targeting the activity of angiogenic growth factors, especially the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A signalling pathway, is a new promising therapeutic strategy for patients with different cancer types. Several VEGF inhibitors have been developed including a humanized anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab), an anti-VEGFR-2 antibody, a VEGF receptor chimeric protein and various small molecules inhibiting VEGFR-2 signal transduc...

Introduction: Unilateral forms or primary aldosteronism (PA) can be treated by adrenalectomy of by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, whereas bilateral forms are always treated by mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Most studies find similar results for the control of blood pressure and kalemia, but also to reverse organ damages, however recent studies are discordant and show a benefit of adrenalectomy regarding cardiovascular events and blood pressure (BP). Regarding...

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the first cause of endocrine hypertension accounting for about 6% of all cases of hypertension. According to international guidelines, PA screening is based on plasma aldosterone-to-renin concentration ratio (ARR) computation. Nevertheless, measurement of urine aldosterone excretion may be of interest since it integrates aldosterone secretion over 24 hours. However, available urine aldosterone immuno-assays have poor specificity.<p ...

Objective: Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the gold standard method to assess lateralization of aldosterone secretion in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). The selectivity index (SIcortisol, the adrenal to peripheral vein ratio of cortisol concentrations) determines correct catheter positioning during AVS. The lateralization index (LIcortisol, the aldosterone to cortisol ratios between adrenal veins) distinguishes unilateral aldosterone producing ...