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Hou Y, Lin B, Xu T, Jiang J, Luo S, Chen W, Chen X, Wang Y, Liao G, Wang J, Zhang J, Li X, Xiang X, Xie Y, Wang J, Peng S, Lv W, Liu Y, Xiao H. The neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in medullary thyroid cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5555. [PMID: 39030177 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49824-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitters are key modulators in neuro-immune circuits and have been linked to tumor progression. Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), an aggressive neuroendocrine tumor, expresses neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is insensitive to chemo- and radiotherapies, and the effectiveness of immunotherapies remains unknown. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of the tumor microenvironment would facilitate effective therapies and provide evidence on CGRP's function outside the nervous system. Here, we compare the single-cell landscape of MTC and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and find that expression of CGRP in MTC is associated with dendritic cell (DC) abnormal development characterized by activation of cAMP related pathways and high levels of Kruppel Like Factor 2 (KLF2), correlated with an impaired activity of tumor infiltrating T cells. A CGRP receptor antagonist could offset CGRP detrimental impact on DC development in vitro. Our study provides insights of the MTC immunosuppressive microenvironment, and proposes CGRP receptor as a potential therapeutic target.
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MESH Headings
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Humans
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/immunology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/genetics
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/immunology
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/genetics
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology
- Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide/metabolism
- Cyclic AMP/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology
- Single-Cell Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingtong Hou
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyi Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuli Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wanna Chen
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinwen Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanqi Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanrui Liao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayuan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuyang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xiang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubin Xie
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ji Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sui Peng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiming Lv
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihao Liu
- Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Toraih E, Hussein M, Anker A, Baah S, Pinion D, Jishu J, Sadakkadulla S, Case M, LaForteza A, Moroz K, Kandil E. Survival Outcomes of Medullary Thyroid Cancer With and Without Amyloid Deposition. Endocr Pract 2024; 30:311-318. [PMID: 38184237 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyloid deposition within tumor stroma is a distinctive histologic feature of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, its prognostic significance remains uncertain. We aimed to elucidate the impact of amyloid status on survival outcomes in a large cohort. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was queried to identify patients diagnosed with MTC from 2000 to 2019. Patients with amyloid-positive (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition code 8345/3) and amyloid negative (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition code 8510/3) tumors were analyzed. Overall and disease-specific survival were compared between matched cohorts using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses. RESULTS Of the 2526 MTC patients, 511 of which were amyloid-positive and 2015 that were amyloid negative. Amyloid-positive patients displayed lower T stage (T3/4: 28% vs 85%, P < .001) and less extrathyroidal extension (11.3% vs 81.6%, P < .001). No difference in distant metastasis rate was observed between groups (14.5% vs 14.4%, P = .98). However, amyloid-positive patients showed a tendency for distal lymph node metastasis (1.2% vs 0.3%, P = .020). On univariate analysis, amyloid-positive status showed comparable overall survival times (mean 172.2 vs 177.8 months, P = .17), but a trend toward worse cancer-specific survival (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.99-1.71, P = .051). After adjusting for covariates, amyloid deposition did not independently predict overall (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.91-1.47, P = .25) or cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.96-1.77, P = .09). Initiating therapy later than 1 month following diagnosis was associated with worse overall survival (HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02-1.54, P = .029). CONCLUSIONS The presence of amyloid in MTC paradoxically associates with lower T stage yet exhibits a trend toward worse cancer-specific mortality. Amyloid deposition alone does not independently influence prognosis. Delayed treatment adversely impacted overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Toraih
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana; Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
| | - Mohammad Hussein
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Allison Anker
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Solomon Baah
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Dylan Pinion
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Jessan Jishu
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Madeline Case
- School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Krzysztof Moroz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Emad Kandil
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
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Trimboli P, Valderrabano P, Pitoia F, Piccardo A, Bojunga J. Appropriate and mindful measurement of serum calcitonin in patients with thyroid nodules. A white paper. Endocrine 2024; 83:60-64. [PMID: 37589814 PMCID: PMC10806050 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03485-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an infrequent thyroid malignancy that is often diagnosed at advanced stage with consequent poor prognosis. Thus, the earlier the diagnosis of MTC, the better the prognosis. Unfortunately, the preoperative detection of MTC remains challenging in clinical practice. In fact, while ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration cytology have suboptimal performance in this context, measuring serum calcitonin (Ctn), fully recognized as the most reliable test to detect MTC, is not universally accepted as routine test in all patients with thyroid nodule(s). The authors of this paper reappraise critically the matter of Ctn measurement in view of the recent advancements in the literature to point out the essential information to be known, and then to prepare an easy-to-use guide for clinicians to appropriately consider the measurement of serum Ctn during clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Servizio di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Lugano, Switzerland.
- Facoltà di Scienze Biomediche, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.
| | - Pablo Valderrabano
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabian Pitoia
- Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín-University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, E.O. "Ospedali Galliera", Genoa, Italy
| | - Jörg Bojunga
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Modica R, Minotta R, Liccardi A, Cannavale G, Benevento E, Colao A. Evaluation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) as Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC). J Pers Med 2023; 13:953. [PMID: 37373942 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13060953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm, and calcitonin is its main biomarker. An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) have been considered as negative prognostic factors in several neoplasms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential role of NLR, PLR and SII as biomarkers in MTC. Clinical data and tumor histological characteristics of patients with sporadic MTC, referred to the NET Unit of Federico II University of Naples (ENETS CoE) from 2012 to 2022, were retrospectively evaluated by analyzing preoperative and postoperative calcitonin, NLR, PLR and SII. We included 35 MTC patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. The mean preoperative NLR was 2.70 (±1.41, 0.93-7.98), the PLR was 121.05 (±41.9, 40.98-227.23) and SII was 597.92 (±345.58, 186.59-1628). We identified a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-thyroidectomy NLR (p = 0.02), SII (p = 0.02) and calcitonin (p = 0.0) values. No association with prognosis or tumor characteristics emerged. Elevated preoperative NLR and SII suggest a possible disease-associated inflammatory response, and their reduction after surgery may be related to debulking effects. Further studies are needed to define the role of NLR, PLR and SII as prognostic markers in MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Modica
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Minotta
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Liccardi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cannavale
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elio Benevento
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology, Diabetology and Andrology Unit, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
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