1
|
Kimpel O, Altieri B, Dischinger U, Fuss CT, Kurlbaum M, Fassnacht M. Early Detection of Recurrence and Progress Using Serum Steroid Profiling by LC-MS/MS in Patients with Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Metabolites 2023; 14:20. [PMID: 38248823 PMCID: PMC10819433 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Serum liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) steroid profiling is used for the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Guidelines recommend endocrine work-up in addition to radiological imaging for follow-up in ACC, but data on this topic are scarce. Patients were included in this retrospective study if pre-therapeutic hormone values, regular tumour evaluation by imaging, steroid measurements by LC-MS/MS, and details on therapies were available. The utility of steroid profiles in detecting recurrence or disease progression was assessed, whereby "endocrine progress" was defined by an elevation of at least 3 of 13 analysed hormones. Cohort A included 47 patients after R0 resection, of whom 15 experienced recurrence and 32 did not. In cohort B, 52 patients with advanced disease (including 7 patients of cohort A with recurrence) could be evaluated on 74 visits when progressive disease was documented. In 20 of 89 cases with documented disease progression, "endocrine progress" was detectable prior to radiological progress. In these cases, recurrence/progression was detected at a median of 32 days earlier by steroid measurement than by imaging, with 11-deoxycortisol and testosterone being the most sensitive markers. Notably, these patients had significantly larger tumour burden. In conclusion, steroid profiling by LC-MS/MS is of value in detecting recurrent/progressive disease in ACC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Otilia Kimpel
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Ulrich Dischinger
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Carmina Teresa Fuss
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Max Kurlbaum
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Core Unit Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; (B.A.); (C.T.F.); (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Core Unit Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ghosh C, Hu J, Kebebew E. Advances in translational research of the rare cancer type adrenocortical carcinoma. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:805-824. [PMID: 37857840 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00623-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare malignancy with an annual worldwide incidence of 1-2 cases per 1 million and a 5-year survival rate of <60%. Although adrenocortical carcinoma is rare, such rare cancers account for approximately one third of patients diagnosed with cancer annually. In the past decade, there have been considerable advances in understanding the molecular basis of adrenocortical carcinoma. The genetic events associated with adrenocortical carcinoma in adults are distinct from those of paediatric cases, which are often associated with germline or somatic TP53 mutations and have a better prognosis. In adult primary adrenocortical carcinoma, the main somatic genetic alterations occur in genes that encode proteins involved in the WNT-β-catenin pathway, cell cycle and p53 apoptosis pathway, chromatin remodelling and telomere maintenance pathway, cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway or DNA transcription and RNA translation pathways. Recently, integrated molecular studies of adrenocortical carcinomas, which have characterized somatic mutations and the methylome as well as gene and microRNA expression profiles, have led to a molecular classification of these tumours that can predict prognosis and have helped to identify new therapeutic targets. In this Review, we summarize these recent translational research advances in adrenocortical carcinoma, which it is hoped could lead to improved patient diagnosis, treatment and outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiangnan Hu
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Asa SL, Uccella S, Tischler A. The Unique Importance of Differentiation and Function in Endocrine Neoplasia. Endocr Pathol 2023; 34:382-392. [PMID: 37043101 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-023-09762-4] [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] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of cell differentiation in endocrine neoplasms involves not only the identification of a cell's structure and expression of specific transcription factors which regulate that cell, but also the identification of hormones and/or enzymes involved in hormone synthesis. The importance of this functional characterization is emphasized by the fact that the hormones serve as biomarkers for clinical surveillance to identify persistence, recurrence, or progression of disease. Sometimes, unusual patterns of hormone expression lead to unexpected clinical signs and symptoms. Loss of differentiated hormone production can be a sign of dedifferentiation as a tumor becomes more aggressive. In addition to prognostic information, cell differentiation can be predictive, since differentiated endocrine cells express targets for therapy, such as the sodium iodide symporter in thyroid cancers and somatostatin receptors in neuroendocrine tumors. The salient features of differentiation in the three main types of endocrine cells can be used to determine prognosis and to tailor management of patients with endocrine neoplasms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Silvia Uccella
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Arthur Tischler
- Department of Pathology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guan Y, Yue S, Chen Y, Pan Y, An L, Du H, Liang C. Molecular Cluster Mining of Adrenocortical Carcinoma via Multi-Omics Data Analysis Aids Precise Clinical Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233784. [PMID: 36497046 PMCID: PMC9737968 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignancy of the endocrine system. We collected clinical and pathological features, genomic mutations, DNA methylation profiles, and mRNA, lncRNA, microRNA, and somatic mutations in ACC patients from the TCGA, GSE19750, GSE33371, and GSE49278 cohorts. Based on the MOVICS algorithm, the patients were divided into ACC1-3 subtypes by comprehensive multi-omics data analysis. We found that immune-related pathways were more activated, and drug metabolism pathways were enriched in ACC1 subtype patients. Furthermore, ACC1 patients were sensitive to PD-1 immunotherapy and had the lowest sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Patients with the ACC2 subtype had the worst survival prognosis and the highest tumor-mutation rate. Meanwhile, cell-cycle-related pathways, amino-acid-synthesis pathways, and immunosuppressive cells were enriched in ACC2 patients. Steroid and cholesterol biosynthetic pathways were enriched in patients with the ACC3 subtype. DNA-repair-related pathways were enriched in subtypes ACC2 and ACC3. The sensitivity of the ACC2 subtype to cisplatin, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and etoposide was better than that of the other two subtypes. For 5-fluorouracil, there was no significant difference in sensitivity to paclitaxel between the three groups. A comprehensive analysis of multi-omics data will provide new clues for the prognosis and treatment of patients with ACC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guan
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Shaoyu Yue
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yiding Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yuetian Pan
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lingxuan An
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Hexi Du
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Correspondence: (H.D.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-18856040979 (H.D.); +86-13505604595 (C.L.)
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of Urology, The First Affifiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218th Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University (AHMU), 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230022, China
- Correspondence: (H.D.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-18856040979 (H.D.); +86-13505604595 (C.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang J, Wang Y, Zeng Y, Huang D. Feature selection approaches identify potential plasma metabolites in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. Metabolomics 2022; 18:86. [PMID: 36318345 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01937-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (PMOP) are prone to fragility fractures. Osteoporosis is associated with alterations in the levels of specific circulating metabolites. OBJECTIVES To analyze the metabolic profile of individuals with PMOP and identify novel metabolites associated with bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS We performed an unsupervised metabolomics analysis of plasma samples from participants with PMOP and of normal controls (NC) with normal bone mass. BMD values for the lumber spine and the proximal femur were determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were performed for metabolomic profile analyses. Metabolites with P < 0.05 in the t-test, VIP > 1 in the PLS-DA model, and SNR > 0.3 between the PMOP and NC groups were defined as differential abundant metabolites (DAMs). The SHapley additive explanations (SHAP) method was utilized to determine the importance of permutation of each DAM in the predictive model between the two groups. ROC analysis and correlation analysis of metabolite relative abundance and BMD/T-scores were conducted. KEGG pathway analysis was used for functional annotation of the candidate metabolites. RESULTS Overall, 527 annotated molecular markers were extracted in the positive and negative total ion chromatogram (TIC) of each sample. The PMOP and NC groups could be differentiated using the PLS-DA model. Sixty-eight DAMs were identified, with most relative abundances decreasing in the PMOP samples. SHAP was used to identify 9 DAM metabolites as factors distinguishing PMOP from NC. The logistic regression model including Triethanolamine, Linoleic acid, and PC(18:1(9Z)/18:1(9Z)) metabolites demonstrated excellent discrimination performance (sensitivity = 97.0, specificity = 96.6, AUC = 0.993). The correlation analysis revealed that the abundances of Triethanolamine, PC(18:1(9Z)/18:1(9Z)), 16-Hydroxypalmitic acid, and Palmitic acid were significantly positively correlated with the BMD/T score (Pearson correlation coefficients > 0.5, P < 0.05). Most candidate metabolites were involved in lipid metabolism based on KEGG functional annotations. CONCLUSION The plasma metabolomic signature of PMOP patients differed from that of healthy controls. Marker metabolites may help provide information for the diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of PMOP. We highlight the application of feature selection approaches in the analysis of high-dimensional biological data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihan Wang
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- School of Electronics and Information, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuhong Zeng
- Department of Osteoporosis, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dageng Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sigala S, Bothou C, Penton D, Abate A, Peitzsch M, Cosentini D, Tiberio GAM, Bornstein SR, Berruti A, Hantel C. A Comprehensive Investigation of Steroidogenic Signaling in Classical and New Experimental Cell Models of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:1439. [PMID: 35563746 PMCID: PMC9103477 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma is a heterogeneous and aggressive cancer that originates from steroidogenic cells within the adrenal cortex. In this study, we have assessed for the preclinical gold standard NCI-H295 in direct comparison with the more recently established MUC-1 and a here newly reported ACC cell line (TVBF-7) the mutational status of important driver genes (TP53, MEN1, PRKAR1A, CTNNB1, APC, ZNRF-3, IGF-2, EGFR, RB1, BRCA1, BRCA2, RET, GNAS and PTEN), Wnt-signaling specificities (CTNNB1 mutation vs. APC mutation vs. wildtype), steroidogenic-(CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B2, HSD17B4, CYP21A2, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, MC2R, AT1R) and nuclear-receptor-signaling (AR, ER, GCR), varying electrophysiological potentials as well as highly individual hormone secretion profiles (Cortisol, Aldosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, Testosterone, 17-OH Progesterone, among others) which were investigated under basal and stimulated conditions (ACTH, AngII, FSK). Our findings reveal important genetic and pathophysiological characteristics for these three cell lines and reveal the importance of such cell-line panels reflecting differential endocrine functionalities to thereby better reflect clinically well-known ACC patient heterogeneities in preclinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Christina Bothou
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
| | - David Penton
- Electrophysiology Facility (e-phac), Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich (UZH), 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Andrea Abate
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.S.); (A.A.)
| | - Mirko Peitzsch
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Guido A. M. Tiberio
- Surgical Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Stefan R. Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
- Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Paul-Langerhans-Institute Dresden, Helmholtz Center Munich, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia at ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zürich, Switzerland; (C.B.); (S.R.B.)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vega-Beyhart A, Laguna-Moreno J, Díaz-Catalán D, Boswell L, Mora M, Halperin I, Casals G, Hanzu FA. Ketoconazole- and Metyrapone-Induced Reductions on Urinary Steroid Metabolites Alter the Urinary Free Cortisol Immunoassay Reliability in Cushing Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:833644. [PMID: 35282465 PMCID: PMC8905543 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.833644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (24h-UFC) is the most used test for follow-up decision-making in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) under medical treatment. However, 24h-UFC determinations by immunoassays (IA) are commonly overestimated because of steroid metabolites' cross-reaction. It is still uncertain how ketoconazole (KTZ)- and metyrapone (MTP)-induced changes on the urinary steroid metabolites can alter the 24h-UFC*IA determinations' reliability. METHODS 24h-UFC was analyzed by IA and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in 193 samples (81 before treatment, 73 during KTZ, and 39 during MTP) from 34 CS patients. In addition, urinary steroidome was analyzed by GC-MS on each patient before and during treatment. RESULTS Before treatment, 24h-UFC*IA determinations were overestimated by a factor of 1.75 (95% CI 1.60-1.94) compared to those by GC-MS. However, during KTZ treatment, 24h-UFC*IA results were similar (0.98:1) to those by GC-MS (95% CI, 0.83-1.20). In patients taking MTP, IA bias only decreased 0.55, resulting in persistence of an overestimation factor of 1.33:1 (95% CI, 1.09-1.76). High method agreement between GC-MS and IA before treatment (R2 = 0.954) declined in patients under KTZ (R2 = 0.632) but not in MTP (R2 = 0.917). Upper limit normal (ULN) reductions in patients taking KTZ were 27% larger when using 24h-UFC*IA compared to 24h-UFC*GC-MS, which resulted in higher false efficacy and misleading biochemical classification of 15% of patients. Urinary excretion changes of 22 urinary steroid metabolites explained 86% of the 24h-UFC*IA interference. Larger urinary excretion reductions of 6β-hydroxy-cortisol, 20α-dihydrocortisol, and 18-hydroxy-cortisol in patients with KTZ elucidated the higher 24h-UFC*IA bias decrement compared to MTP-treated patients. CONCLUSION KTZ and MTP alter the urinary excretion of IA cross-reactive steroid metabolites, thus decreasing the cross-reactive interference of 24h-UFC*IA determinations present before treatment. Consequently, this interference reduction in 24h-UFC*IA leads to loss of method agreement with GC-MS and high risk of overestimating the biochemical impact of KTZ and MTP in controlling CS because of poor reliability of reference ranges and ULN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Vega-Beyhart
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Daniela Díaz-Catalán
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Boswell
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Mora
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Halperin
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregori Casals
- Biomedical Diagnostics Center, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felicia A. Hanzu
- Group of Endocrine Disorders, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Felicia A. Hanzu,
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mizdrak M, Tičinović Kurir T, Božić J. The Role of Biomarkers in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2021; 9:174. [PMID: 33578890 PMCID: PMC7916711 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy arising from the adrenal cortex often with unexpected biological behavior. It can occur at any age, with two peaks of incidence: in the first and between fifth and seventh decades of life. Although ACC are mostly hormonally active, precursors and metabolites, rather than end products of steroidogenesis are produced by dedifferentiated and immature malignant cells. Distinguishing the etiology of adrenal mass, between benign adenomas, which are quite frequent in general population, and malignant carcinomas with dismal prognosis is often unfeasible. Even after pathohistological analysis, diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinomas is not always straightforward and represents a great challenge for experienced and multidisciplinary expert teams. No single imaging method, hormonal work-up or immunohistochemical labelling can definitively prove the diagnosis of ACC. Over several decades' great efforts have been made in finding novel reliable and available diagnostic and prognostic factors including steroid metabolome profiling or target gene identification. Despite these achievements, the 5-year mortality rate still accounts for approximately 75% to 90%, ACC is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages and therapeutic options are unfortunately limited. Therefore, imperative is to identify new biological markers that can predict patient prognosis and provide new therapeutic options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Mizdrak
- Department of Nephrology and Hemodialysis, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Tina Tičinović Kurir
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Joško Božić
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| |
Collapse
|