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Mulders MCF, de Herder WW, Hofland J. What Is Carcinoid Syndrome? A Critical Appraisal of Its Proposed Mediators. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:351-360. [PMID: 38038364 PMCID: PMC11074795 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Carcinoid syndrome (CS) is a debilitating disease that affects approximately 20% of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN). Due to the increasing incidence and improved overall survival of patients with NEN over recent decades, patients are increasingly suffering from chronic and refractory CS symptoms. At present, symptom control is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology of this syndrome. This systematic review is the first to critically appraise the available evidence for the various hormonal mediators considered to play a causative role in CS. Overall, evidence for the putative mediators of CS was scarce and often of poor quality. Based on the available literature, data are only sufficient to agree on the role of serotonin as a mediator of CS-associated diarrhea and fibrosis. A direct role for tachykinins and an indirect role of catecholamines in the pathogenesis of CS is suggested by several studies. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to link histamine, bradykinin, kallikrein, prostaglandins, or motilin to CS. To summarize, available literature only sufficiently appoints serotonin and suggests a role for tachykinins and catecholamines as mediators of CS, with insufficient evidence for other putative mediators. Descriptions of CS should be revised to focus on these proven hormonal associations to be more accurate, and further research is needed into other potential mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merijn C F Mulders
- ENETS Center of Excellence, Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC & Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter W de Herder
- ENETS Center of Excellence, Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC & Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Hofland
- ENETS Center of Excellence, Section of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC & Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Bulj N, Tomasic V, Cigrovski Berkovic M. Managing end-stage carcinoid heart disease: A case report and literature review. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1076-1083. [PMID: 38577438 PMCID: PMC10989396 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i3.1076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are rare tumors, often diagnosed in an advanced stage when curative treatment is impossible and grueling symptoms related to vasoactive substance release by tumor cells affect patients' quality of life. Cardiovascular complications of GEP-NENs, primarily tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease, and right-sided heart failure, are the leading cause of death, even compared to metastatic disease. CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a 35-year-old patient with progressive dyspnea, back pain, polyneuropathic leg pain, and nocturnal diarrhea lasting for a decade before the diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma of unknown primary with extensive liver metastases. During the initial presentation, serum biomarkers were not evaluated, and the patient received five cycles of doxorubicin, which he did not tolerate well, so he refused further therapy and was lost to follow-up. After 10 years, he presented to the emergency room with signs and symptoms of right-sided heart failure. Panneuroendocrine markers, serum chromogranin A, and urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were extremely elevated (900 ng/mL and 2178 µmol/L), and transabdominal ultrasound confirmed hepatic metastases. Computed tomography (CT) showed liver metastases up to 6 cm in diameter and metastases in mesenteric lymph nodes and pelvis. Furthermore, an Octreoscan showed lesions in the heart, thoracic spine, duodenum, and ascendent colon. A standard transthoracic echocardiogram confirmed findings of carcinoid heart disease. The patient was not a candidate for valve replacement. He started octreotide acetate treatment, and the dose escalated to 80 mg IM monthly. Although biochemical response and symptomatic improvement were noted, the patient died. CONCLUSION Carcinoid heart disease occurs with carcinoid syndrome related to advanced neuroendocrine tumors, usually with liver metastases, which manifests as right-sided heart valve dysfunction leading to right-sided heart failure. Carcinoid heart disease and tumor burden are major prognostic factors of poor survival. Therefore, they must be actively sought by available biochemical markers and imaging techniques. Moreover, imaging techniques aiding tumor detection and staging, somatostatin receptor positron emission tomography/CT, and CT or magnetic resonance imaging, should be performed at the time of diagnosis and in 3- to 6-mo intervals to determine tumor growth rate and assess the possibility of locoregional therapy and/or palliative surgery. Valve replacement at the onset of symptoms or right ventricular dysfunction may be considered, while any delay can worsen right-sided ventricular failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Bulj
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Centre “Sestre Milosrdnice,“ Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Vedran Tomasic
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre “Sestre Milosrdnice,” Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Maja Cigrovski Berkovic
- Department for Sport and Exercise Medicine, University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
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Grundmann E, Curioni-Fontecedro A, Christ E, Siebenhüner AR. Outcome of carcinoid heart syndrome in patients enrolled in the SwissNet cohort. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:338. [PMID: 37055717 PMCID: PMC10099832 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10739-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carcinoid heart disease is a rare disease which develops in patients with functional neuroendocrine tumors in an advanced tumor state. Patients diagnosed with carcinoid heart disease have a poor longtime prognosis with respect to morbidity and mortality and long-term data on patient outcomes are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS In this retrospective study, we analyzed outcomes of 23 patients with carcinoid heart disease enrolled into the SwissNet database. We observed that early diagnosis with echocardiographic surveillance of carcinoid heart disease during the course of the neuroendocrine tumor disease was beneficial to overall survival of patients. CONCLUSION Through nationwide patient enrollment, the SwissNet registry is a powerful data tool to identify, follow-up and evaluate long-term patient outcomes in patients with rare neuroendocrine tumor driven pathologies including carcinoid heart syndrome with observational methods enabling better therapy optimization to improve patient`s long-term perspectives and survival. In line with the current ESMO recommendations, our data proposes that heart echocardiography should be included as part of the general physical assessment in patients with newly diagnosed NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Grundmann
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Curioni-Fontecedro
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Emanuel Christ
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Basel University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander R Siebenhüner
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zurich and University Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland.
- Clinic of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Hirslanden Zurich AG, Witellikerstrasse 40, Zurich, CH-8032, Switzerland.
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Kostiainen I, Karppinen N, Simonen P, Rosengård-Bärlund M, Lindén R, Tarkkanen M, Gordin D, Rapola J, Schalin-Jäntti C, Matikainen N. Arterial function, biomarkers, carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid heart disease in patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours. Endocrine 2022; 77:177-187. [PMID: 35536452 PMCID: PMC9242958 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a life-threatening complication of carcinoid syndrome (CS) characterised by tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, there is an unmet need for earlier diagnosis of CHD. We cross-sectionally assessed the prevalence and potential predictive or diagnostic markers for CS and CHD in a contemporary cohort of patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs). METHODS Biochemical characteristics, hepatic tumour load, measures of arterial and endothelial function, atherosclerosis, and transthoracic echocardiography were analysed in a prospective cross-sectional setting. RESULTS Among the 65 patients studied, 29 (45%) had CS (CS+ ), and 3 (5%) CHD. CS+ was characterised by significantly higher hepatic tumour load, S-5-HIAA and fP-CgA, higher frequency of diarrhoea and flushing, and more frequent PRRT compared to CS- (for all, P < 0.05). Central systolic, central mean, and central end-systolic blood pressures were significantly higher in CS+ than in CS- (for all, P < 0.05). Subjects with grades 2-4 TR had higher hepatic tumour burden, fP-CgA, and S-5-HIAA compared to those with grades 0-1 TR, but measures of vascular function did not differ. fP-CgA (P = 0.017) and S-5-HIAA (P = 0.019) but not proBNP increased significantly according to the severity of TR. CONCLUSION Although CS is common, the prevalence of CHD was found to be lower in a contemporary cohort of SI-NET patients than previously anticipated. Measures of arterial or endothelial function or carotid atherosclerosis do not identify subjects with mild TR. Echocardiography remains the most sensitive means to diagnose CHD in CS patients with high tumour burden and elevated CgA and 5-HIAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iiro Kostiainen
- Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Noora Karppinen
- Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia Simonen
- Cardiology, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Milla Rosengård-Bärlund
- Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Lindén
- Radiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maija Tarkkanen
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Medicines Agency FIMEA, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Gordin
- Department of Nephrology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Janne Rapola
- Cardiology, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Schalin-Jäntti
- Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Matikainen
- Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Levy S, Kilgallen AB, Korse CM, Oerlemans MIFJ, Sluijter JPG, van Laake LW, Valk GD, Tesselaar MET. Elevated Serotonin and NT-proBNP Levels Predict and Detect Carcinoid Heart Disease in a Large Validation Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102361. [PMID: 35625964 PMCID: PMC9139809 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a rare fibrotic cardiac complication of neuroendocrine tumors. Besides known biomarkers N-Terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and serotonin, activin A, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) have been suggested as potential biomarkers for CHD. Here, we validated the predictive/diagnostic value of these biomarkers in a case-control study of 114 patients between 1990 and 2021. Two time-points were analyzed: T0: liver metastasis without CHD for all patients. T1: confirmed CHD in cases (CHD+, n = 57); confirmed absence of CHD five or more years after liver metastasis in controls (CHD−, n = 57). Thirty-one (54%) and 25 (44%) females were included in CHD+ and CHD− patients, respectively. Median age was 57.9 years for CHD+ and 59.7 for CHD- patients (p = 0.290). At T0: activin A was similar across both groups (p = 0.724); NT-proBNP was higher in CHD+ patients (17 vs. 6 pmol/L, p = 0.016), area under the curve (AUC) 0.84, and the most optimal cut-off at 6.5 pmol/L. At T1: activin A was higher in CHD+ patients (0.65 vs. 0.38 ng/mL, p = 0.045), AUC 0.62, without an optimal cut-off value. NT-pro-BNP was higher in CHD+ patients (63 vs. 11 pmol/L, p < 0.001), AUC 0.89, with an optimal cut-off of 27 pmol/L. Serotonin (p = 0.345), sST2 (p = 0.867) and CTGF (p = 0.232) levels were similar across groups. This large validation study identified NT-proBNP as the superior biomarker for CHD. Patients with elevated serotonin levels and NT-proBNP levels between 6.5 and 27 pmol/L, and specifically >27 pmol/L, should be monitored closely for the development of CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Levy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-20-512-9111
| | - Aoife B. Kilgallen
- Regenerative Medicine Centre Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.B.K.); (J.P.G.S.); (L.W.v.L.)
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Catharina M. Korse
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Marish I. F. J. Oerlemans
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Joost P. G. Sluijter
- Regenerative Medicine Centre Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.B.K.); (J.P.G.S.); (L.W.v.L.)
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Linda W. van Laake
- Regenerative Medicine Centre Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; (A.B.K.); (J.P.G.S.); (L.W.v.L.)
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Gerlof D. Valk
- Department of Endocrine Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Margot E. T. Tesselaar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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