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Tai Y, Shang J. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the tumor progression of adrenocortical carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1260701. [PMID: 38269250 PMCID: PMC10806569 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1260701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon, aggressive endocrine malignancy with a high rate of recurrence, a poor prognosis, and a propensity for metastasis. Currently, only mitotane has received certification from both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency for the therapy of advanced ACC. However, treatment in the advanced periods of the disorders is ineffective and has serious adverse consequences. Completely surgical excision is the only cure but has failed to effectively improve the survival of advanced patients. The aberrantly activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway is one of the catalysts for adrenocortical carcinogenesis. Research has concentrated on identifying methods that can prevent the stimulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and are safe and advantageous for patients in view of the absence of effective treatments and the frequent alteration of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ACC. Comprehending the complex connection between the development of ACC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for accurate pharmacological targets. In this review, we summarize the potential targets between adrenocortical carcinoma and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We analyze the relevant targets of drugs or inhibitors that act on the Wnt pathway. Finally, we provide new insights into how drugs or inhibitors may improve the treatment of ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanghao Tai
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jiwen Shang
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ambulatory Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Cozma D, Siatra P, Bornstein SR, Steenblock C. Sensitivity of the Neuroendocrine Stress Axis in Metabolic Diseases. Horm Metab Res 2024; 56:65-77. [PMID: 38171373 DOI: 10.1055/a-2201-6641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic diseases are prevalent in modern society and have reached pandemic proportions. Metabolic diseases have systemic effects on the body and can lead to changes in the neuroendocrine stress axis, the critical regulator of the body's stress response. These changes may be attributed to rising insulin levels and the release of adipokines and inflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue, which affect hormone production by the neuroendocrine stress axis. Chronic stress due to inflammation may exacerbate these effects. The increased sensitivity of the neuroendocrine stress axis may be responsible for the development of metabolic syndrome, providing a possible explanation for the high prevalence of severe comorbidities such as heart disease and stroke associated with metabolic disease. In this review, we address current knowledge of the neuroendocrine stress axis in response to metabolic disease and discuss its role in developing metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Cozma
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Panagiota Siatra
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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FGFR-2 and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Endometrial Cancer. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11185416. [PMID: 36143062 PMCID: PMC9504491 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11185416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. At present, EC staging is based on the WHO conservative criteria, which only consider the percentage of gland formation. The molecular subgrouping of EC recently proposed by the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) represents a milestone in precise molecular-based patient triage. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of FGFR-2 on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and whether it can lead to endometrial cancer dedifferentiation. Methods. One hundred and three White female patients with confirmed EC were enrolled in our research. For the analysis, we performed next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemical analyses of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and vimentin. Results. Tumor grade progression was closely correlated with LVI (p = 0.0338), expression of vimentin (p = 0.000), tumor budding (p = 0.000), and lack of E-cadherin (p = 0.0028). Similar observations were noted with regard to TNM/FIGO stage progression. In terms of FGFR-2 mutation, we found the following correlation p-values: LVI (p = 0.069), expression of vimentin (p = 0.000), tumor budding (p = 0.000), and lack of E-cadherin (p = 0.000), RFS (p = 0.032), ECSS (p = 0.047). Conclusions. FGFR-2 is the important factor influencing on EMT.
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Tamburello M, Altieri B, Sbiera I, Sigala S, Berruti A, Fassnacht M, Sbiera S. FGF/FGFR signaling in adrenocortical development and tumorigenesis: novel potential therapeutic targets in adrenocortical carcinoma. Endocrine 2022; 77:411-418. [PMID: 35583844 PMCID: PMC9385797 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
FGF/FGFR signaling regulates embryogenesis, angiogenesis, tissue homeostasis and wound repair by modulating proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration and metabolism of target cells. Understandably, compelling evidence for deregulated FGF signaling in the development and progression of different types of tumors continue to emerge and FGFR inhibitors arise as potential targeted therapeutic agents, particularly in tumors harboring aberrant FGFR signaling. There is first evidence of a dual role of the FGF/FGFR system in both organogenesis and tumorigenesis, of which this review aims to provide an overview. FGF-1 and FGF-2 are expressed in the adrenal cortex and are the most powerful mitogens for adrenocortical cells. Physiologically, they are involved in development and maintenance of the adrenal gland and bind to a family of four tyrosine kinase receptors, among which FGFR1 and FGFR4 are the most strongly expressed in the adrenal cortex. The repeatedly proven overexpression of these two FGFRs also in adrenocortical cancer is thus likely a sign of their participation in proliferation and vascularization, though the exact downstream mechanisms are not yet elucidated. Thus, FGFRs potentially offer novel therapeutic targets also for adrenocortical carcinoma, a type of cancer resistant to conventional antimitotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Tamburello
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Iuliu Sbiera
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- Oncology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehenssive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silviu Sbiera
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Higgs JA, Quinn AP, Seely KD, Richards Z, Mortensen SP, Crandall CS, Brooks AE. Pathophysiological Link between Insulin Resistance and Adrenal Incidentalomas. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084340. [PMID: 35457158 PMCID: PMC9032410 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenal incidentalomas are incidentally discovered adrenal masses greater than one centimeter in diameter. An association between insulin resistance and adrenal incidentalomas has been established. However, the pathophysiological link between these two conditions remains incompletely characterized. This review examines the literature on the interrelationship between insulin resistance and adrenal masses, their subtypes, and related pathophysiology. Some studies show that functional and non-functional adrenal masses elicit systemic insulin resistance, whereas others conclude the inverse. Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and the anabolic effects on adrenal gland tissue, which have insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors, offer possible pathophysiological links. Conversely, autonomous adrenal cortisol secretion generates visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance. Further investigation into the mechanisms and timing of these two pathologies as they relate to one another is needed and could be valuable in the prevention, detection, and treatment of both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A. Higgs
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Alyssa P. Quinn
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Kevin D. Seely
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Zeke Richards
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Shad P. Mortensen
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Cody S. Crandall
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA; (J.A.H.); (A.P.Q.); (Z.R.); (S.P.M.); (C.S.C.)
| | - Amanda E. Brooks
- Department of Research and Scholarly Activity, Rocky Vista University, Ivins, UT 84738, USA;
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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.
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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;
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Sbiera I, Kircher S, Altieri B, Lenz K, Hantel C, Fassnacht M, Sbiera S, Kroiss M. Role of FGF Receptors and Their Pathways in Adrenocortical Tumors and Possible Therapeutic Implications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:795116. [PMID: 34956100 PMCID: PMC8699171 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.795116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy and treatment of advanced disease is challenging. Clinical trials with multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the past have yielded disappointing results. Here, we investigated fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors and their pathways in adrenocortical tumors as potential treatment targets. We performed real-time RT-PCR of 93 FGF pathway related genes in a cohort of 39 fresh frozen benign and malignant adrenocortical, 9 non-adrenal tissues and 4 cell lines. The expression of FGF receptors was validated in 166 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues using RNA in situ hybridization (RNAscope) and correlated with clinical data. In malignant compared to benign adrenal tumors, we found significant differences in the expression of 16/94 FGF receptor pathway related genes. Genes involved in tissue differentiation and metastatic spread through epithelial to mesechymal transition were most strongly altered. The therapeutically targetable FGF receptors 1 and 4 were upregulated 4.6- and 6-fold, respectively, in malignant compared to benign adrenocortical tumors, which was confirmed by RNAscope in FFPE samples. High expression of FGFR1 and 4 was significantly associated with worse patient prognosis in univariate analysis. After multivariate adjustment for the known prognostic factors Ki-67 and ENSAT tumor stage, FGFR1 remained significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (HR=6.10, 95%CI: 1.78 - 20.86, p=0.004) and FGFR4 with overall survival (HR=3.23, 95%CI: 1.52 - 6.88, p=0.002). Collectively, our study supports a role of FGF pathways in malignant adrenocortical tumors. Quantification of FGF receptors may enable a stratification of ACC for the use of FGFR inhibitors in future clinical trials.
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MESH Headings
- Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/genetics
- Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/metabolism
- Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/mortality
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma/genetics
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma/metabolism
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma/mortality
- Adult
- Biomarkers, Tumor/biosynthesis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4/genetics
- Survival Rate/trends
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliu Sbiera
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Altieri
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Lenz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zürich (USZ) and University of Zürich (UZH), Zürich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Silviu Sbiera
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Silviu Sbiera, ; Matthias Kroiss,
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Silviu Sbiera, ; Matthias Kroiss,
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