Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Heterozygous activating somatic mutations in the catalytic subunit α (Cα) of Protein Kinase A (PKA) underlie 30–40% of cortisol producing adrenocortical adenomas (CPA). The activity of the catalytic subunits α,β,γ is controlled by the regulatory subunits (Iα,Iβ, IIα, IIβ). Previous reports found uncommonly reduced levels of RIIβ in CPA compared to other adrenocortical tumors.Aim: Investig...

Introduction: Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) are adrenocortical tumors leading to adrenal Cushing’s syndrome. Recently, our laboratory has identified the first gene predisposing frequently to PBMAH in adults, named ARMC5 (Armadillo Repeat Containing 5)1. The ARMC5-inactivating mutations identified in leucocyte and tumour DNA in PBMAH patients suggest that ARMC5 is a tumour suppressor gene. However, the mechanisms of action of ARMC5 remain unkno...

The cortisol secretion level of adrenocortical adenomas range from hormonally silent to overt hypercortisolism. The mechanisms leading to the autonomous hypersecretion of cortisol are unknown. The aim was to identify the gene expression alterations associated with the autonomous and excessive cortisol secretion of adrenocortical adenomas.Methods: The transcriptome of 22 unilateral adrenocortical adenomas (5 non-secreting, 6 subclinical cortisol-producing...

Background: Cushing syndrome due to PPNAD is the main endocrine disorder of CNC, an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia caused by germline inactivating mutations of the subunit type 1A (PRKAR1A) of the protein kinase A (PKA). In addition, germline inactivating mutations in the gene encoding phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) have been identified in patients with PPNAD.Aim of the study: To investigate the role of PDE11A genetic alterati...

Diagnosing malignancy and assessing the prognosis of adrenocortical tumors is challenging. The aim is to identify molecular predictors of malignancy and of survival.Patients and methods: Of 153 unilateral adrenocortical tumors were studied by microarray (n=92) or RT-qPCR (n=148). A 2-gene predictor of malignancy was built using the disease-free survival as the end-point in a training cohort (n=47), then validated in an independent va...

Introduction: We have previously identified (using a whole-genome large scale SNP- screening approach) germline inactivating stop codon mutations of the PDE11A4 in patients with Cushing syndrome due to micronodular adrenal hyperplasia. PDE11A4 is a cAMP/cGMP phosphodiesterase.Aim of the study: To investigate the role of PDE11A genetic alterations in a large cohort of ACT.Materials and methods: Leukocyte DNA from 117 adrenocortical ...

IntroductionFasting trial remains the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis of insulinoma, based on low blood glucose level concomitant with inadequate high insulin level. However, diagnostic criteria are not consensual. Glycemia and insulin thresholds differ between the different consensus statements : endogenous hyperinsulism diagnosis relies on a glycemia < 3 mmol/l associated with an insulin level > 3 mUI/l in Endocrine Society guidelines (2009)...

IntroductionPheochromocytoma might be associated with hypercortisolism and post-operative adrenal insufficiency. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of cortisol dysregulation before and after pheochromocytoma surgery.MethodsSingle center retrospective study of consecutive pheochromocytoma patients investigated in the Endocrinology department of Cochin Hospital before and after surgery from 200...

Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with high morbidity and presents high interindividual variability. Easily measurable biomarkers, in addition to the hormone assays currently used for diagnosis, could better quantify the individual biological impact of glucocorticoids. The aim of this study is to identify such biomarkers through the analysis of whole blood transcriptome.Methods: Whole blood transcriptome was evaluated in 57 samples (...

Introduction: Subcutaneous (sc) pasireotide effectively reduces cortisol levels and is generally well tolerated in Cushing’s disease (CD) patients, as demonstrated by a Phase III study (NCT00434148). We report data from a non-interventional, multinational study (NCT02310269) evaluating long-term safety and efficacy of pasireotide sc for CD patients.Methods: Adults with CD, for whom surgery has failed or is not an option, were analysed by time of pas...