1
|
Liu S, Zhao H, Li X. Serum Biochemical Markers for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:299-310. [PMID: 38617188 PMCID: PMC11011642 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s440477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare malignancy, requires early diagnosis for optimal patient outcomes. An important aspect of MTC diagnosis is the assessment of serum biomarkers. This review aimed to evaluate the use of serum biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of MTC. Methods A thorough search of PubMed covering 1975 to 2022 was conducted to identify English-language articles on MTC serum biomarkers. Results The review revealed that calcitonin (Ctn) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remain the most important serum biomarkers for MTC diagnosis and management. Despite limited studies on procalcitonin (PCT), its stability and ability to exclude interference from inflammation make it a valuable potential marker of MTC. Although the positive rate of serum CA19-9 levels in MTC patients was not high, it can be used as an indicator of poor prognosis in advanced MTC. Other serum markers, including chromogranin A, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, and neurospecific enolase, did not show any unique value in MTC diagnosis and management. Conclusion Taken together, this review emphasized the importance of serum biomarkers, particularly Ctn and CEA, in the diagnosis and management of MTC. PCT shows promise as a valuable potential marker, whereas CA19-9 can be used as a prognostic indicator of advanced MTC. Further research is needed to validate the significance of these serum biomarkers in MTC and determine the effects of confounding factors on their levels. Clinicians should consider using these markers in MTC diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up, particularly for patients with advanced disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhou Liu
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100010, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Crescenzi A, Baloch Z. Immunohistochemistry in the pathologic diagnosis and management of thyroid neoplasms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1198099. [PMID: 37324272 PMCID: PMC10266214 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1198099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of immunohistochemistry cannot be underestimated in the everyday practice of thyroid pathology. It has evolved over the years beyond the traditional confirmation of thyroid origin to molecular profiling and the prediction of clinical behavior. In addition, immunohistochemistry has served to implement changes in the current thyroid tumor classification scheme. It is prudent to perform a panel of immunostains, and the immunoprofile should be interpreted in light of the cytologic and architectural features. Immunohistochemistry can also be easily performed in the limited cellularity specimen preparation generated from thyroid fine-needle aspiration and core biopsy; however, it will require laboratory validation of immunostains specific to these preparations to avoid diagnostic pitfalls. This review discusses the application of immunohistochemistry in thyroid pathology with a focus on limited cellularity preparations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Crescenzi
- Pathology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico, Rome, Italy
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Censi S, Manso J, Benvenuti T, Piva I, Iacobone M, Mondin A, Torresan F, Basso D, Crivellari G, Zovato S, Mian C. The role of procalcitonin in the follow-up of medullary thyroid cancer. Eur Thyroid J 2023; 12:e220161. [PMID: 36476491 PMCID: PMC9874959 DOI: 10.1530/etj-22-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Calcitonin (Ct) represents the most important biochemical marker of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), but has certain limits. We analyzed the performance of procalcitonin (ProCt) in follow-up MTC patients. Methods In this monocentric and retrospective study, we consecutively obtained ProCt and Ct values from all MTC patients that we visited during the period from April 2021 to May 2022. Patients were defined as having structural evidence of disease (29/90, 32.2%) irrespective of Ct values or, in its absence, as not evident disease (NED) if Ct was ≤10 ng/L (47/90, 52.2%), or minimal residual disease if Ct was >10 ng/L (14/90, 15.6%). Results Ct and ProCt values were highly correlated (r = 0.883, P < 0.01). Median ProCt values differed between NED, minimal residual disease, and structural disease, being 0.04 ng/mL, 0.26 ng/mL, and 1.98 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.01). ProCt was undetectable (<0.04 ng/mL) in 40/47 (85.1%) of NED patients, in 3/14 (21.4%) patients with minimal residual disease and in none of the patients with a structural disease (P < 0.01). Among the 11 patients with detectable but ≤10 ng/L Ct and undetectable ProCt values, none had a structural disease. The most accurate cut-off of ProCt to distinguish between the presence or absence of a structural disease was >0.12 ng/mL (P < 0.01, area under the curve: 0.963), with the following sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV): 100%, 83.61%, 74.4%, and 100.0%. Conclusions ProCt and Ct have a high correlation in MTC follow-up. ProCt may be useful as an adjunct to Ct, especially for its NPV concerning the structural disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Censi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manso
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Teresa Benvenuti
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Ilaria Piva
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iacobone
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Mondin
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Torresan
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniela Basso
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gino Crivellari
- Hereditary Tumor Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Zovato
- Hereditary Tumor Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV - Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Y, Qin T, Chen Y, Gao M. Case report: Ewing sarcoma with EWSR-ERG fusion elevates procalcitonin extremely in the long term without infection. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1047738. [PMID: 36713573 PMCID: PMC9880485 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1047738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ewing sarcoma (ES) represents a rare, aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer. Unlike breast, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, Ewing sarcoma has had no representative tumor marker until now. The use of procalcitonin (PCT) as a tumor marker is also rarely reported. PCT is a clinically recognized and widely used inflammatory marker in recent years. In rare cases, PCT may also be falsely positive due to non-infectious factors. In the few previously reported papers regarding the correlation between tumors and PCT, we learned that abnormalities of PCT level can also be impacted by individual cancers. Case presentation Here, we first reported a case of Ewing sarcoma with markedly elevated PCT without infection and carried out some literature review. The patient was a middle-aged man with extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma whose lesion was located in the distal abdominal ileum. He had a sudden and unprovoked onset of high fever during chemotherapy before surgery. After multiple examinations, the patient's blood routine, C-reactive protein, blood culture, and CT examination showed no signs of infection, and even the culture from the end of the central venous catheter showed no pathogen growth. Only PCT increased dramatically to more than 200 ng/ml. PCT remained at this level for several months until a single abdominal lumpectomy was performed before it dropped to near-normal levels. Conclusion In our report, PCT is significantly elevated in Ewing sarcoma in the absence of infection. Not only that, but we particularly highlighted the precipitous drop in PCT following tumor resection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China,*Correspondence: Yan Chen, ; Ming Gao,
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Yan Chen, ; Ming Gao,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Censi S, Manso J, Mian C. Other markers of medullary thyroid cancer, not only calcitonin. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 188:6990870. [PMID: 36651167 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor originating from parafollicular C-cells. It represents 2% of all thyroid malignancies and 0.4-1.4% of all thyroid nodules. MTC has a variable clinical course, with complete remission often difficult to achieve. An early diagnosis is still crucial in MTC management, enabling a radical surgical treatment, the only chance for curing the patient. Calcitonin (Ct) is a very sensitive MTC tumor marker in patients with thyroid nodules, although Ct-negative MTCs have been described, but not all clinical guidelines recommend the Ct routine measurement in thyroid nodules because of the absolute low prevalence of MTC in the general population and the consequent scarce positive predictive value of Ct. Moreover, the specificity of moderately high Ct levels is not high. Thus, the scientific community has been investigating the possible role of other tumor markers for MTC diagnosis and prognosis. AIM OF THE REVIEW The present review is an attempt to summarize the knowledge available today on the role of other serum markers for MTC alternative to Ct. CONCLUSIONS At present, literature data does not seem solid enough yet to establish effective flowcharts in evaluating a thyroid nodule for MTC, involving alternative serum markers, particularly in cases of moderately high CT levels. MTC is a rare diagnosis in thyroid nodules, and this makes the evaluation of any tumor serum marker accuracy problematic. More extensive and prospective studies are needed to shed more light on this intriguing challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Censi
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Endocrinology Unit; University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manso
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Endocrinology Unit; University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Endocrinology Unit; University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Akbulut S, Tuncer A, Ogut Z, Sahin TT, Koc C. High-Level Procalcitonin in Patient with Mixed Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Gastrointest Cancer 2022; 53:1130-1134. [PMID: 34738189 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-021-00731-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Course of blood procalcitonin levels by days.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sami Akbulut
- Department of Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig Yolu 10. Km, 44280, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Adem Tuncer
- Department of Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, 44280, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Zeki Ogut
- Department of Surgery, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, 44280, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Tevfik Tolga Sahin
- Department of Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig Yolu 10. Km, 44280, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Cemalettin Koc
- Department of Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig Yolu 10. Km, 44280, Malatya, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sabır YA, Çift T, Karaşin SS. Determining the relationship between serum acute phase reactants and cervical premalignant lesions: a cohort study. SAO PAULO MED J 2022; 141:S1516-31802022005023217. [PMID: 36794669 PMCID: PMC10065111 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0186.29042022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute phase reactants play a role in the progression and prognosis of many malignant and premalignant tumors. This study investigated the diagnostic value of certain reactants as markers for cervical premalignant lesions. OBJECTIVE Despite advanced screening and vaccination programs, cervical cancer remains a serious health problem worldwide. We aimed to determine the possible relationship between premalignant cervical disease and serum acute phase reactant levels. DESIGN AND SETTING This study included 124 volunteers who underwent cervical cancer screening. We divided the patients into three groups according to cervical cytology and histopathological findings as follows: no cervical lesion, low-grade neoplasia, or high-grade neoplasia. METHODS We included women aged 25-65 years with benign smear or colposcopy results, low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The benign group was based only on cytology findings, whereas the other groups were based on histopathology findings. Demographic data and serum albumin, fibrinogen, ferritin, and procalcitonin levels were evaluated in the three groups. RESULTS We found significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, albumin level, albumin/fibrinogen ratio, and procalcitonin level. The regression analysis revealed lower serum albumin levels in the low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion groups compared with the benign group. CONCLUSION This is the first study to evaluate the importance of serum inflammatory markers in cervical intraepithelial lesions. Our results indicate that serum albumin level, albumin/fibrinogen ratio, procalcitonin level, and neutrophil values differ among cervical intraepithelial lesions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeliz Acar Sabır
- MD. Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Health Sciences Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa,
Turkey
| | - Tayfur Çift
- MD. Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health
Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa,
Turkey
| | - Süleyman Serkan Karaşin
- MD. Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Health Sciences Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, Bursa,
Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Saha A, Mukhopadhyay M, Paul S, Bera A, Bandyopadhyay T. Incidental diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma due to persistently elevated procalcitonin in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:7171-7177. [PMID: 36051107 PMCID: PMC9297425 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i20.7171] [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: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procalcitonin (Pct) is a common biomarker in clinical practice, especially in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Although it is frequently used for the diagnosis and prognostication of bacterial infections or sepsis, it is also elevated in a few other conditions, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old female presented with moderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia in April 2021. She gradually recovered clinically; however, despite normalization of other inflammatory markers, Pct levels remained persistently elevated. Further workup identified the cause as left lobe MTC with locoregional metastasis. Calcitonin levels were high, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were normal. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and neck dissection, which was followed by another radical neck dissection due to residual disease. Currently, she is doing well, nearly having completed her course of external beam radiotherapy with no recurrence. Pct is well documented as a screening tool for MTC, especially because of its stable nature compared to calcitonin in the community settings. It is important to keep in mind the differential diagnosis of MTC in patients with persistently elevated Pct levels despite normal levels of other acute phase reactants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from Asia of such an incidental diagnosis of MTC due to persistently elevated Pct levels in a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
CONCLUSION Persistently elevated Pct levels can occur in any pro-inflammatory state including infections, sepsis, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. In the current setting, SARS-CoV-2 infection is one such clinical scenario, and in rare situations of persistent elevation, MTC may need to be ruled out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amitabha Saha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata 700099, West Bengal, India
| | - Madhusha Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata 700099, West Bengal, India
| | - Souvik Paul
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata 700099, West Bengal, India
| | - Arnab Bera
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata 700099, West Bengal, India
| | - Tapas Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata 700099, West Bengal, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
The ability of inflammatory markers to recognize infection in cancer patients with fever at admission. Immunol Res 2022; 70:667-677. [PMID: 35764901 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-022-09299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Infection is one of the main causes of death in cancer patients. Accurate identification of fever caused by infection could avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment and hospitalization. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and other commonly used inflammatory markers in suspected infected adult cancer patients with fever, for better use of antibiotics. This research retrospective analyzed the clinical data of 102 adult cancer patients with fever and compared the serum levels of commonly used inflammatory markers for different fever reasons. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analyses were performed. In adult cancer patients with fever, the serum PCT, CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 levels of infected patients were significantly higher than uninfected patients (median 1.19 ng/ml vs 0.14 ng/ml, 93.11 mg/l vs 56.55 mg/l, 123.74 pg/ml vs 47.35 pg/ml, 8.74 pg/ml vs 3.22 pg/ml; Mann-Whitney p = 0.000, p = 0.009, p = 0.004, p = 0.000, respectively). The ROC area under the curve(AUC) was 0.769 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.681-0.857; p = 0.000) for PCT, 0.664 (95% CI 0.554-0.775; p = 0.009) for CRP, 0.681(95% CI 0.576-0.785; p = 0.004) for IL-6, and 0.731(95% CI 0.627-0.834; p = 0.000) for IL-10. PCT had specificity of 96.67% and positive predictive value (PPV) of 97.6%, when the cut-off value is set as 0.69 ng/ml. The serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels also had significant differences between the infected and uninfected cancer patients with advanced disease (median 128.92 pg/ml vs 36.40 pg/ml, 8.05 pg/ml vs 2.92 pg/ml; Mann-Whitney p = 0.003, p = 0.001, respectively). For the patients with neutropenia, IL-6 and IL-10 had higher AUC of 0.811 and 0.928, respectively. With a cut-off of 9.10 pg/ml, IL-10 had the highest sensitivity 83.33% and specificity 100%. In adult cancer patients, PCT had the best performance compared to CRP, IL-6, and IL-10 in differentiating infected from uninfected causes of fever, with high specificity and PPV. IL-6 and IL-10 might be useful in cancer patients with severe bloodstream infections and advanced disease. However, for patients with neutropenia, IL-10 might be more valuable than PCT in diagnosing infection.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ramadan FA, Ellingson KD, Canales RA, Bedrick EJ, Galgiani JN, Donovan FM. Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical Predictors of Coccidioidomycosis, Arizona, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1091-1100. [PMID: 35608552 PMCID: PMC9155888 DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.212311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Demographic and clinical indicators have been described to support identification of coccidioidomycosis; however, the interplay of these conditions has not been explored in a clinical setting. In 2019, we enrolled 392 participants in a cross-sectional study for suspected coccidioidomycosis in emergency departments and inpatient units in Coccidioides-endemic regions. We aimed to develop a predictive model among participants with suspected coccidioidomycosis. We applied a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to specific coccidioidomycosis predictors and developed univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Univariable models identified elevated eosinophil count as a statistically significant predictive feature of coccidioidomycosis in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Our multivariable outpatient model also identified rash (adjusted odds ratio 9.74 [95% CI 1.03–92.24]; p = 0.047) as a predictor. Our results suggest preliminary support for developing a coccidioidomycosis prediction model for use in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
11
|
Rosario PW, Mourão GF. Diagnostic Utility of Procalcitonin for Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients with Nodular Disease and Mild or Moderate Hypercalcitoninemia. Horm Metab Res 2022; 54:220-223. [PMID: 35413742 DOI: 10.1055/a-1773-1127] [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: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Many authors recommend the measurement of serum calcitonin (Ctn) to screen for sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in patients with thyroid nodules. In this situation, procalcitonin (pro-Ctn) would have greater utility in patients with hypercalcitoninemia<100 pg/ml. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of pro-Ctn in patients with thyroid nodules and without a suspicion of familial MTC or type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia who had mild or moderate hypercalcitoninemia without an apparent cause. Consecutive patients with nodular thyroid disease assessed routinely by Ctn measurement were selected. Sixty patients with basal Ctn>10 pg/ml but<100 pg/ml were included. Nine patients (15%) had MTC, with cytology being diagnostic in only four. Among the 51 patients without MTC, pro-Ctn was<0.1 ng/ml in 46 (90.2%). All patients with MTC had pro-Ctn>0.1 ng/ml. Basal Ctn was>24.6 pg/ml in all patients with MTC and in 42 patients (82.3%) without MTC. It is noteworthy that among patients with basal Ctn>24.6 pg/ml (n=18) pro-Ctn>0.1 ng/ml identified all patients with MTC and 64.2% of subjects with these pro-Ctn concentrations had this tumor. In conclusion, we did not find superiority of pro-Ctn over Ctn for the diagnosis of sporadic MTC in patients with nodular disease and mild or moderate hypercalcitoninemia. However, in the case of patients with hypercalcitoninemia in the gray zone, pro-Ctn has an excellent negative predictive value while the data regarding its positive predictive value are not uniform.
Collapse
|
12
|
Moretti G, Troiani E, Sarlo F, Baroni S, Urbani A. Analytical Performance Evaluation of a New Calcitonin Assay. J Appl Lab Med 2022; 7:568-574. [PMID: 34993539 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfab162] [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: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of efficient laboratory calcitonin (CT) testing is required for optimal management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Several pitfalls are related to the calcitonin laboratory assays and a careful evaluation is needed. We report the analytical performances of the new Siemens ADVIA-Centaur-CALCT (CT-XPT) assay and its comparison with our standard method DiaSorin-Calcitonin-II-Gen (CT-LIA) assay. METHODS Analytical performance of the CT-XPT-assay, limit of blank (LOB), limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ), were determined. We also evaluated the in vitro stability of the sample, together with the linearity and percentage recovery. RESULTS The CT-XPT-assay showed a better detection limit than the CT-LIA assay, with lower values of LOB (0.86 pg/mL vs 1.00 pg/mL) and LOQ (1.65 pg/mL vs 3.00 pg/mL). Both values were in agreement with those reported by the manufacturer. Within- and between-run precision demonstrated a good concordance of results. Regarding the in vitro stability of CT, the low CT concentration sera showed a much greater decrease in CT levels compared to the high concentration sera. Correlation studies showed a good correlation between the two methods (Kappa Cohen coefficent, KC: 0.68, agreement % for male: 89.58%; KC: 0.63; agreement % for female: 88.33%). CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed a good correlation between the CT-LIA and CT-XPT methods. Moreover, we demonstrated that the analytical performance of the CT-XPT assay, together with its technical specifications, could represent major features of the CT-XPT method. Collectively, the technical evaluation and the analytical results described in the presented paper highlight that the novel CT-XPT is a valid method for CT testing in a clinical diagnostic setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Moretti
- Dipartimento di Chimica Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy
| | - Eliana Troiani
- Dipartimento di Chimica Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Sarlo
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Baroni
- Dipartimento di Chimica Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Urbani
- Dipartimento di Chimica Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli I.R.C.C.S., Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Utilizing the circulating tumor markers in diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 229:153694. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
14
|
Eckelt F, Pfaeffle R, Kiess W, Kratzsch J. Calcitonin and complementary biomarkers in the diagnosis of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2021; 34:1491-1504. [PMID: 34543539 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2021-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignancy that is effectively curable by surgery. Unlike in adults, hereditary MTC has a predominant role in children. A fast and safe diagnosis is important to assure the good prognosis for the patients. A major cornerstone is the assessment of biomarkers, but the interpretation must respect their pre-, post- and analytical features. Especially calcitonin (Ctn) is a challenging biomarker in daily laboratory diagnostics. However, Ctn is of particular relevance for the diagnostic in MTC. The American Thyroid Association recommends thyroidectomy if the upper reference range of Ctn is exceeded. Interestingly, age-dependent reference ranges for children and adolescents have become available only recently for Ctn assays. With this review, we aim to highlight the importance of a timely diagnosis of MTC in children and adolescents. CONTENT Recent developments in pediatric biochemical diagnostics of MTC were summarized. This includes guidance on interpretation of RET, Ctn, procalcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and chromogranin A. SUMMARY Currently, Ctn is the most investigated biomarker in the diagnosis of MTC in children and adolescents. Other biomarkers as PCT suggest complementary evidence about pediatric MTC but their interpretation based largely on adult's data. A successful treatment of MTC requires, besides results of biomarkers, information about medical history, RET gene analysis and recent guideline knowledge. OUTLOOK More research is required to validate complementary biomarkers of Ctn in children. Additionally, the effect of different confounder on pediatric Ctn levels has to be further clarified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felix Eckelt
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Pfaeffle
- Department Woman and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wieland Kiess
- Department Woman and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juergen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Giovanella L, Garo ML, Ceriani L, Paone G, Campenni' A, D'Aurizio F. Procalcitonin as an Alternative Tumor Marker of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:3634-3643. [PMID: 34382653 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Calcitonin (CT) measurement is pivotal in the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but several pitfalls can affect its reliability. Procalcitonin (ProCT) has been reported as a promising alternative MTC tumor marker. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the ProCT diagnostic accuracy in prediction and treatment monitoring of MTC. METHODS Electronic databases were searched for observational studies published until May 2021 without language or time restrictions. Studies comparing ProCT and calcitonin accuracy were included. After removing duplicates and exclusion of not-eligible articles, relevant articles were screened independently by 2 reviewers. Eleven studies (4.5% of the identified studies) met the selection criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed data quality and validity through QUADAS-2. RESULTS A meta-analysis was performed on 11 sufficiently clinically and statistically homogeneous studies (n = 5817 patients, 335 MTC patients). Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics and bivariate methods were applied. Serum ProCT was found to be a highly accurate test for MTC diagnosis and monitoring. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, area under the curve, and positive and negative predictive values for ProCT were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.71-0.97), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.85-1.00), 288 (95% CI: 5.6-14 929.3), 0.10 (95% CI: 0.03-0.33), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98), 99%, and 2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The high accuracy, compounded with favorable analytical characteristics, give ProCT great potential to replace calcitonin as a new standard of care in the management of MTC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanella
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and Thyroid Center, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Center, University and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Luca Ceriani
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and Thyroid Center, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Gaetano Paone
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and Thyroid Center, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alfredo Campenni'
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morpho-Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica D'Aurizio
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kratzsch J, Willenberg A, Frank-Raue K, Kempin U, Rocktäschel J, Raue F. Procalcitonin measured by three different assays is an excellent tumor marker for the follow-up of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 59:1861-1868. [PMID: 34256421 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2021-0428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Procalcitonin (PCT) has been suggested as a tumor marker in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Clinical application data in long term follow-up are missing. METHODS 210 serum samples of 169 consecutive patients with MTC (92 sporadic, 77 hereditary, 158 postoperative follow-up, 11 preoperative) were collected between 2018 and 2020. Postoperative patients were stratified into three groups according to their disease status at the end of follow-up: cured (n=51, calcitonin (CT) levels < limit of quantitation), minimal residual disease (n=55, detectable CT and no metastases provable by imaging methods), metastatic disease (n=52). In five patients CT and PCT were measured while on therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). CT was analyzed by the Roche ECLIA, PCT by three assays from Roche, PES, Abbott. RESULTS The mean ± SD values seen with the three PCT assays in the MTC response groups, cured: <0.06, 0.016 ± 0.007, 0.014 ± 0.007 ng/mL, minimal residual disease: 0.511 ± 0.800, 0.389 ± 0.687, 0.341 ± 0.614 ng/mL, metastatic disease 109 ± 202, 60.4 ± 110, 63.3 ± 115 ng/mL correlate well with the CT results in these groups: cured <1.0 pg/mL, minimal residual disease 91.3 ± 121.5 pg/mL, metastatic disease 14,489 ± 30,772 pg/mL. There was a significant correlation (p<0.001) between the three PCT assays (Roche/PES r=0.970, Roche/Abbott r=0.976, Abbott/PES r=0.995). In the course of treatment with TKI both CT and PCT reflected clinical state. Preoperative PCT in hereditary MTC has the same diagnostic validity than CT. CONCLUSIONS PCT measured with three different immunoassays is as good as the standard tumor marker CT in the follow-up of MTC but has a superior analytical stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Willenberg
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Uwe Kempin
- pes Gesellschaft für medizinische Diagnose-Systeme mbH, Markkleeberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Rocktäschel
- pes Gesellschaft für medizinische Diagnose-Systeme mbH, Markkleeberg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Combining Calcitonin and Procalcitonin and Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Biomarkers Improve Diagnostic Outcomes in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:6331994. [PMID: 34136020 PMCID: PMC8175179 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6331994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective To demonstrate whether procalcitonin (PCT) combined with calcitonin (CT) could provide additional diagnostic value to other clinically available rheumatoid arthritis- (RA-) related biomarkers in the early diagnosis of RA. Method The blood samples aseptically collected by venipuncture were centrifuged within 1 hour and frozen at -80°C. PCT and CT levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) in 260 subjects (48 patients with early RA, 34 patients with established RA, 37 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 30 with osteoarthritis, 31 with gouty arthritis, and 80 healthy participants). Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (Anti-CCP) and anti-RA33 antibodies (Anti-RA33) were analyzed by ELISA. RF was detected by transmission immunoturbidimetry. Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests compared differences among groups. Spearman's rank correlation analysis determined the relationship between biomarkers. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and diagnostic performance was assessed by area under the curve (AUC), as well as specificity, sensitivity, likelihood ratios (LR). Results Median serum PCT concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in patients with early RA (0.065 ng/ml) when compared with healthy controls (0.024 ng/ml), and patients with osteoarthritis (0.025 ng/ml). When compared with gouty arthritis (GA) controls (0.072 ng/ml) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) controls (0.093 ng/ml), median serum PCT concentrations were not significant in patients with early RA (0.065 ng/ml). Median serum CT concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in patients with early RA (0.880 pg/ml) compared with healthy controls (3.159 pg/ml), patients with SLE (2.480 pg/ml), and patients with GA (2.550 pg/ml). When compared with osteoarthritis controls (0.586 pg/ml), median serum CT concentrations were not significant in patients with early RA (0.880 pg/ml). ROC curve analysis comparing early RA with healthy controls demonstrated that the AUC of RF, anti-CCP, and anti-RA33 were 0.66, 0.73, and 0.64, respectively; the additions of PCT and CT further improved the diagnostic ability of early RA with the AUC of 0.97, 0.98, and 0.97, respectively (p < 0.01). The sensitivities of RF, anti-CCP, and anti-RA33 for early RA were 33.33%, 44.74%, and 58.33%, respectively, and the additions of PCT and CT showed very high sensitivities of 83.33%, 92.11%, and 87.50%. The high-value groups of PCT moderately correlated with the anti-RA33 levels (r = 0.417, p < 0.05). CT had no significant correlation with disease duration, radiographic progression, or clinical/serological variables, such as ESR levels, CRP levels, RF, anti-CCP, and anti-RA33 levels in early RA. Conclusions Serum PCT and CT combined with clinically available RA-related biomarkers could further improve the diagnostic efficiency of early RA.
Collapse
|
18
|
Gianotti L, D’Agnano S, Pettiti G, Tassone F, Giraudo G, Lauro C, Lauria G, Del Bono V, Borretta G. Persistence of Elevated Procalcitonin in a Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Uncovered a Diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. AACE Clin Case Rep 2021; 7:288-292. [PMID: 33997278 PMCID: PMC8113110 DOI: 10.1016/j.aace.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, procalcitonin (PCT) levels have proven useful in assisting clinicians to diagnose bacterial superinfection. However, in the absence of signs of infection or at the resolution thereof, inappropriately and persistently high PCT levels may suggest and reveal the presence of other pathologies. We report a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia with initially elevated PCT levels that persisted during recovery, prompting the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods A 43-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of fever, sneezing, sore throat, and dry cough. His PCT was 94 ng/mL (normal value, 0.00-0.10 ng/mL), and he was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA. Results Empirical antibiotic therapy was administered for 7 days, but despite a clinical improvement, serum PCT remained high (84 ng/mL). Serum calcitonin (CTN) was 2120 pg/mL (normal, ≤12 pg/mL). Cytologic examination of thyroid nodules and CTN measurement of the aspiration needle washout confirmed MTC. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral cervical lymph node dissection. Lowered CTN (986 pg/mL) and PCT (16 ng/mL) levels were observed 48 hours after surgery. A close follow-up was planned following the results of RET gene analysis. Conclusion PCT can be a useful biochemical marker of MTC suspicion in patients with inflammatory conditions and persistently elevated PCT, even after resolution. In our case, high levels of PCT in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia without signs of bacterial infection led to MTC diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gianotti
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Salvatore D’Agnano
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pettiti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Francesco Tassone
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giraudo
- Division of General and Oncological Surgery, Department of Surgery. Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Corrado Lauro
- Division of General and Oncological Surgery, Department of Surgery. Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Valerio Del Bono
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Borretta
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Hospital Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Giorgio Borretta, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Carle Hospital, Via Antonio Carle 5, Confreria, Cuneo 12100, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Itoga M, Tanaka H, Taima K, Ishioka Y, Sakamoto H, Takanashi S, Kurose A, Tasaka S. Procalcitonin expression in patients with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:25. [PMID: 33451319 PMCID: PMC7811266 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05448-4] [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: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Procalcitonin (PCT) has received much attention as a serum marker for bacterial infection. Elevated serum PCT is occasionally seen in severe trauma, heatstroke, and neoplastic diseases, including lung cancer with neuroendocrine component. Results In the present study, we evaluated PCT expression in the specimen of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, comparing large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), carcinoid, and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Pathological specimens of 10 LCNEC, 4 carcinoid, and 7 SCLC cases were evaluated with immunochemical staining of PCT. Clinical characteristics and serum levels of PCT and C-reactive protein were also evaluated. We observed positive PCT expression in 5 (50%) LCNEC and 2 (50%) carcinoid specimens that were surgically resected. Whereas serum PCT levels were not elevated in patients with PCT-positive carcinoid, two out of three LCNEC patients with high PCT expression in the tumor had elevated serum PCT levels that reflected disease progression. In patients with SCLC, PCT was not detected in the tumor or serum. This is the first immunohistochemical study of the PCT expression in the lung tumor specimens. We concluded that, in patients with LCNEC, high serum PCT levels may be indicative of disease activity and serve as a biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masamichi Itoga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Hisashi Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Kageaki Taima
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Ishioka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Sakamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Shingo Takanashi
- Hirosaki University Health Administration Center, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Akira Kurose
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Sadatomo Tasaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Henwood M, Lake D, Allen F, Sange M. Myocarditis in SARS-CoV-2 negative patients with suspected preceding infection. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:e239513. [PMID: 33436362 PMCID: PMC10577729 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-239513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is primarily a respiratory disease; however, there have been multiple reports of associated myocarditis. In our 463 bedded, district general hospital, we noted an influx of young patients with myocarditis shortly after the peak of the outbreak. We report two cases presenting with myocarditis, both of whom tested negative for the virus despite clinical and biochemical evidence of recent infection. Diagnosis was made based on positive transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) findings and a raised troponin, not in the context of suspected acute coronary syndrome. We recommend that patients with negative coronavirus tests should still be considered at risk of potential sequelae from the disease. There should be a low threshold for performing basic cardiac investigations: ECG, troponin and TTE as well as seeking a cardiology opinion. Colchicine is a recognised treatment for viral pericarditis and should be considered as adjunctive treatment; however, further research is required specific to SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Henwood
- Anaesthetics, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Maidstone, UK
| | - Daniel Lake
- Anaesthetics, Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, UK
| | - Felix Allen
- Intensive Care, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Sira L, Balogh Z, Vitális E, Kovács D, Győry F, Molnár C, Bodor M, Nagy EV. Case Report: Medullary Thyroid Cancer Workup Initiated by Unexpectedly High Procalcitonin Level-Endocrine Training Saves Life in the COVID-19 Unit. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:727320. [PMID: 34707568 PMCID: PMC8543013 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.727320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that has caused a worldwide pandemic. The majority of medullary thyroid cancers present as a thyroid nodule. At the time of diagnosis, cervical lymph nodes and distant metastases are frequently detected. CASE REPORT Here, we present a case of a 46-year-old man with coronavirus disease (COVID) pneumonia, who had persistently high serum procalcitonin levels despite normal C-reactive protein levels. The attending infectologist happened to be a colleague who spent some time, as part of her internal medicine rotation, in the Endocrine Ward and recalled that medullary thyroid cancer might be the cause. This led to the timely workup and treatment of the medullary cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Livia Sira
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Balogh
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Eszter Vitális
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Dávid Kovács
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Győry
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Molnár
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Miklos Bodor
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Endre V. Nagy
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Endre V. Nagy,
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Censi S, Di Stefano M, Repaci A, Benvenuti T, Manso J, Pagotto U, Iacobone M, Barollo S, Bertazza L, Galuppini F, Benna C, Pennelli G, Plebani M, Faggian D, Colombo C, Fugazzola L, Mian C. Basal and Calcium-Stimulated Procalcitonin for the Diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Cancers: Lights and Shadows. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:754565. [PMID: 34721303 PMCID: PMC8548712 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.754565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procalcitonin (proCt) was recently proposed as an alternative or in addition to calcitonin (Ct) in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) diagnostics. METHODS Serum basal Ct (bCt) and proCt (bproCt) levels were measured before surgery from a consecutive series of patients with (n=43) and without (n=75) MTC, retrospectively collected in Padua. Serum bproCt, bCt and stimulated proCt and Ct (sproCt and sCt) were measured in another consecutive series of 33 patients seen at three tertiary-level institutions undergoing a calcium stimulation test prior to surgery, 20 of them with a final diagnosis of MTC, and 13 with non-MTC nodular disease. RESULTS Median bproCt levels were higher in MTC than in non-MTC. A positive correlation was found for bproCt with bCt (P<0.01, R2 = 0.75), and with tumor size (P<0.01, R2 = 0.39). The cut-off for bproCt differentiating between MTC and non-MTC patients was >0.07 ng/ml (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 98.9%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 98.2%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 90.6%, P<0.01). While bproCt was >0.07 ng/ml in 38/39 (97.4%) patients with MTC >10 mm, it was above said cut-off only in 15/23 (65.2%) patients with tumors ≤10 mm. A sproCt >0.19 ng/ml was able to identify MTC [sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity:100.0%, PPV: 100.0%, NPV: 86.7% (P<0.01)]. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that bproCt can be a good adjunct to Ct for MTC diagnostic purposes. In consideration of its high specificity, it can be used in combination with Ct in MTC diagnostics, particularly in the case of mildly elevated basal Ct levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Censi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marta Di Stefano
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Repaci
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Teresa Benvenuti
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manso
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Uberto Pagotto
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Iacobone
- Endocrine Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Susi Barollo
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Loris Bertazza
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Galuppini
- Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Clara Benna
- Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Pennelli
- Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Plebani
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Diego Faggian
- Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carla Colombo
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Fugazzola
- Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Mian
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Caterina Mian,
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Giovanella L, Fontana M, Keller F, Verburg FA, Ceriani L. Clinical performance of calcitonin and procalcitonin Elecsys® immunoassays in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Chem Lab Med 2020; 59:743-747. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-1424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is caused by a malignant transformation in the parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid, where calcitonin (CT) is released. Nowadays, CT is the main tumor marker used in the diagnosis and follow-up of MTC patients. Nonetheless, procalcitonin (PCT) has recently been proposed as a useful complementary/alternative biomarker in MTC. Our aims were to investigate the diagnostic performance of CT and PCT and their combination in the differential diagnosis between active and inactive MTC and between MTC and non-MTC thyroid diseases, respectively.
Methods
Serum samples were collected from 16 patients with active (i.e. primary tumour before surgery or post-surgical recurrent disease) and 23 with inactive (i.e. complete remission) MTC, 125 patients with non-MTC benign thyroid disease and 62 patients with non-MTC thyroid cancers, respectively. Elecsys® CT and PCT measurements were simultaneously performed on the Cobas e601 platform (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreutz, Switzerland).
Results
Both CT and PCT median values in active MTC (94 pmol/L and 1.17 ng/mL, respectively) were significantly higher compared with inactive MTC (0.28 and 0.06) and either benign (0.37 and 0.06) or malignant (0.28 and 0.06) non-MTC. Undetectable PCT was found in five non-MTC patients with false positive CT results.
Conclusions
Elecsys® PCT assay is a highly sensitive and specific alternative MTC marker. At the very least it appears useful in patients with positive CT results as negative PCT values securely exclude active MTC. The availability of both markers on the same automated platform facilitates reflex or reflective strategies to refine the laboratory diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanella
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona , Switzerland
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Interdisciplinary Thyroid Centre, University Hospital and University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
- Department of Laboratory Medicine , Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona , Switzerland
| | - Martina Fontana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine , Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona , Switzerland
| | - Franco Keller
- Department of Laboratory Medicine , Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona , Switzerland
| | - Frederik A. Verburg
- Erasmus MC , Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine , Rotterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Luca Ceriani
- Clinic for Nuclear Medicine and Competence Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Imaging Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale , Bellinzona , Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research , Bellinzona , Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bai Y, Niu D, Yao Q, Lin D, Kakudo K. Updates in the advances of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: from the molecules to the clinic. Gland Surg 2020; 9:1847-1856. [PMID: 33224860 DOI: 10.21037/gs-2019-catp-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy that originates in parafollicular cells. It is well-known that a quarter of MTC are involved in hereditary multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes, whereas most MTC are sporadic. Unlike the commonly encountered gastrointestinal or pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors, most sporadic MTCs have distinct genetic alterations featured by somatic changes of either Rearranged during Transfection (RET) or RAS point mutation. The increasing application of next-generation sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and other molecular detection techniques enables us to understand MTC comprehensively concerning its detailed molecular changes and their clinical correlations. This article reviews the advances in genetic alterations and their prognostic impact in sporadic MTC among different populations and discusses the associated tumor immune microenvironments and the potential role of immunotherapy targeting PD-L1/PD-1 in treating MTC. Furthermore, the current multikinase inhibitor targeting therapy for sporadic MTC has been summarized here and its efficacy and drug toxicity are discussed. Updates in advance of the role of calcitonin/procalcitonin/calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha (CALCA) gene transcripts in diagnosing and handling MTC are also mentioned. The treatment of advanced MTC is still challenging and might require a combination of several modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Bai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Dongfeng Niu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Yao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Dongmei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Pathology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Kennichi Kakudo
- Department of Pathology and Thyroid Disease Center, Izumi City General Hospital, Izumi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Lin IF, Lin JN, Tsai CT, Wu YY, Chen YH, Lai CH. Serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values in acute Q fever, scrub typhus, and murine typhus. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:334. [PMID: 32398008 PMCID: PMC7216490 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05058-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are widely used inflammatory markers for infectious diseases, their role and potential application for rickettsioses were rarely studied. Methods A retrospective chart review and serological study were conducted in patients with rickettsioses. The clinical presentations, characteristics, laboratory data, and treatment responses were recorded and their associations with CRP and PCT values were analyzed. Results A total of 189 cases of rickettsioses, including 115 cases of acute Q fever (60.8%), 55 cases of scrub typhus (29.1%), and 19 cases of murine typhus (10.1%) were investigated. Both CRP and PCT values increased in the acute phase and declined in the convalescent phase. In the acute phase, mean CRP and PCT values were 78.2 ± 63.7 mg/L and 1.05 ± 1.40 ng/mL, respectively. Percentages of patients falling under different cut-off values of CRP and PCT were calculated systematically. Only 10.8% of CRP was > 150 mg/L and 14.2% of PCT was > 2.0 ng/mL. Patients with delayed responses to doxycycline treatment (> 3 days from treatment to defervescence) had significantly higher CRP values (102.7 ± 77.1 vs. 72.2 ± 58.2 mg/L, p = 0.041) and more PCT > 1.0 ng/ml (48.4% vs. 26.0%, p = 0.019) in the acute phase; higher CRP values (19.1 ± 37.4 vs. 3.6 ± 13.1 mg/L, p = 0.049) and more PCT > 0.5 ng/ml (19.2% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.005) in the convalescent phase. Correlation analysis was conducted for patients with acute Q fever. CRP and PCT values were positively correlated to each other, and both markers also had a positive correlation with serum aspartate transaminase values. Both CRP and PCT values and white blood cell counts were positively correlated to the days needed from doxycycline treatment to defervescence. Conclusion CRP and PCT values might be useful in clinical investigations for patients with suspected rickettsioses and in predicting the response to doxycycline treatment for rickettsioses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I-Fan Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Nong Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ta Tsai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.,Department of Infection Control, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ying Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Sepsis Research Center, Center of Dengue Fever Control and Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsung, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsu Lai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, No.1, Yi-Da Road, Jiao-Su Village, Yan-Chao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Soh SB, Aw TC. Laboratory Testing in Thyroid Conditions - Pitfalls and Clinical Utility. Ann Lab Med 2019; 39:3-14. [PMID: 30215224 PMCID: PMC6143469 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2019.39.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid disorders are common, affecting more than 10% of people in the US, and laboratory tests are integral in the management of these conditions. The repertoire of thyroid tests includes blood tests for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), and calcitonin. TSH and free thyroid hormone tests are frequently used to assess the functional status of the thyroid. TPO-Ab and TRAb tests are used to diagnose Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, respectively. Tg and calcitonin are important tumor markers used in the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), respectively. Procalcitonin may replace calcitonin as a biomarker for MTC. Apart from understanding normal thyroid physiology, it is important to be familiar with the possible pitfalls and caveats in the use of these tests so that they can be interpreted properly and accurately. When results are discordant, clinicians and laboratorians should be mindful of possible assay interferences and/or the effects of concurrent medications. In addition, thyroid function may appear abnormal in the absence of actual thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and in critical illness. Hence, it is important to consider the clinical context when interpreting results. This review aims to describe the above-mentioned blood tests used in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders, as well as the pitfalls in their interpretation. With due knowledge and care, clinicians and laboratorians will be able to fully appreciate the clinical utility of these important laboratory tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shui Boon Soh
- Department of Endocrinology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tar Choon Aw
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hu Q, Jin P, Zhao X, Wu W, Huang B, Shao S, Que R, Liang T. Esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma complicated with unexpected hyperprocalcitonin: Case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12219. [PMID: 30290592 PMCID: PMC6200475 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with hyperprocalcitonin are relatively rare with a low incidence rate. PATIENT CONCERNS An afebrile 63-year-old male with persistent low back pain unexpectedly presented with an extreme hyperprocalcitonin. Radiological assessment revealed thickening of the esophageal wall with vertebral bone destruction and liver lesions. Endoscopy showed an irregular-shaped esophageal lesion which turned out to be poorly-differentiated NETs. DIAGNOSIS Esophageal NETs with multiple metastases. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with chemotherapies, and was evaluated by procalcitonin level and radiology within follow-up. OUTCOME The procalcitonin levels were altered in line with the therapeutic response and disease progression during the treatment course. LESSONS Increased procalcitonin occurs in several malignancies with neuroendocrine components, such as NETs of the digestive system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qida Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Piaopiao Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Wangteng Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Bingfeng Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Shiyi Shao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Risheng Que
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Procalcitonin (PCT) Predicts Worse Outcome in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF). DISEASE MARKERS 2018; 2018:9542784. [PMID: 30245756 PMCID: PMC6136577 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9542784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Procalcitonin (PCT) is an excellent marker of sepsis but was not extensively studied in cardiology. The present study investigated PCT plasma concentration in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its prognostic value during 24-month follow-up. Material and Methods Study group consisted of 130 patients with HFrEF (LVEF ≤ 45%) and 32 controls. PCT level was assessed on admission in all patients. Telephone follow-up was performed every three months over a period of 2 years. Endpoints were death of all causes and readmission for HFrEF exacerbation. Results HFrEF patients had significantly higher PCT concentration than controls (166.95 versus 22.15 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Individuals with peripheral oedema had increased PCT comparing to those without oedema (217.07 versus 152.12 pg/ml; p < 0.02). In ROC analysis, PCT turned out to be a valuable diagnostic marker of HFrEF (AUC 0.91; p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with PCT in the 4th quartile had significantly lower probability of survival than those with PCT in the 1st and 2nd quartiles. In univariate, but not multivariate, analysis, procalcitonin turned out to be a significant predictor of death during 24-month follow-up. (HR 1.002; 95% CI 1.000–1.003; p < 0.03). Conclusions Elevated PCT concentration may serve as another predictor of worse outcome in patients with HFrEF.
Collapse
|
29
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Fletcher
- 2 Ochsner Clinical School of the University of Queensland, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Giovanella L, Imperiali M, Piccardo A, Taborelli M, Verburg FA, Daurizio F, Trimboli P. Procalcitonin measurement to screen medullary thyroid carcinoma: A prospective evaluation in a series of 2705 patients with thyroid nodules. Eur J Clin Invest 2018; 48:e12934. [PMID: 29635700 PMCID: PMC6001787 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To prospectively evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) in screening of patients with thyroid nodules for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS We measured PCT in 2705 patients with thyroid nodules referred to our centre between January 2011 and December 2017. Those with a positive PCT were operated after positive confirmatory tests such as fine-needle aspiration, measurement of calcitonin (CT) in serum and fine-needle aspiration washouts or CT stimulation testing. Patients with a negative PCT were operated based on the results of further diagnostics. The diagnostic performance of PCT was evaluated, and the best cut-off level was selected by ROC curve analysis. RESULTS Among 2705 patients, 9 with positive serum PCT (ie, above 0.1 μg/L) and 370 with negative PCT underwent thyroid surgery. MTC was histologically confirmed in all patients with positive PCT but not found in patients with negative PCT. Serum PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with MTC (median 0.64 μg/L, range 0.16-12.9 μg/L) than in those without (median 0.075 μg/L, range 0.075-0.16 μg/L; P < .0001). ROC curves were plotted to calculate the optimal PCT value separating patients with MTC from those without. The best cut-off was 0.155 μg/L with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values as well as accuracy of 100%, 99.7%, 91.7%, 100% and 99.7%, respectively. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 329 and zero, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of PCT is a sensitive and accurate method for detecting MTC in patients with thyroid nodules and can thus be a reliable alternative to CT measurement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Medical School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mauro Imperiali
- Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Arnoldo Piccardo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero "Ospedali Galliera", Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Taborelli
- Laboratory for Genetics and Cytogenetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | | | - Federica Daurizio
- Laboratory for Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Udine University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Trimboli P, Giovanella L. Procalcitonin as Marker of Recurrent Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2018; 33:204-210. [PMID: 29947178 PMCID: PMC6021302 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2018.33.2.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcitonin measurement is pivotal in the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but several pitfalls can affect its reliability. Other potential markers have been proposed, and procalcitonin (ProCT) has been reported as promising. The present study was undertaken to summarize the published data and provide more robust estimates on the reliability of ProCT as marker in the management of patients with MTC. METHODS The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The sources comprised studies published through May 2018. Journal Articles that reported series of MTC patients undergone ProCT during postoperative follow-up were searched. A random-effects model was used for statistical pooling of the data. The I² index was used to quantify the consistency among the studies. The Egger test evaluated the possible presence of significant publication bias. Quality assessment of the studies was performed according to Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2). RESULTS According to inclusion and exclusion criteria five papers, reporting 296 MTC patients undergone ProCT evaluation, were finally selected. The number of MTC with recurrence was 140. The pooled sensitivity of ProCT in detecting recurrence was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92% to 99%), with neither heterogeneity (I²=0%) nor publication bias (Egger test, 3.16; P=0.99). The pooled specificity was 96% (95% CI, 87% to 100%) with mild heterogeneity (I²=66.6%), while Egger test was not calculable. CONCLUSION The present meta-analysis provides evidence that ProCT is reliable to manage MTC patients during their postoperative follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Trimboli P, Lauretta R, Barnabei A, Valabrega S, Romanelli F, Giovanella L, Appetecchia M. Procalcitonin as a postoperative marker in the follow-up of patients affected by medullary thyroid carcinoma. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 33:156-160. [PMID: 29707993 DOI: 10.1177/1724600817747518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM Due to the limits of calcitonin, other markers are warranted to better manage medullary thyroid carcinoma patients, and procalcitonin has been reported as promising. Here we aimed to evaluate procalcitonin as a marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma in the post-treatment follow-up. METHODS Medullary thyroid carcinoma patients previously treated by thyroidectomy were enrolled. After complete imaging work-up (i.e. ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and 18FDG-PET-CT) we identified patients with structural recurrent/persistent medullary thyroid carcinoma (active medullary thyroid carcinoma) and subjects with no evidence of disease. Then, both calcitonin and procalcitonin were measured and their performance analyzed. RESULTS The final series included 55 medullary thyroid carcinoma patients treated and followed-up for about five years. Of these, 43 were assessed as no evidence of disease, and 12 as active medullary thyroid carcinoma. The median value of procalcitonin was significantly higher ( P < 0.0001) in active medullary thyroid carcinoma patients (3.10 ng/mL) than in those with no evidence of disease (0.10 ng/mL). Also, calcitonin levels of active medullary thyroid carcinoma (96.7 pg/mL) were significantly ( P < 0.0001) higher than that of no evidence of disease (2.0 pg/mL). At the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off of procalcitonin was ≥0.32 ng/mL with 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity, while the most accurate threshold of calcitonin was ≥12.0 pg/mL with 100% sensitivity and 91% specificity. There was no active medullary thyroid carcinoma with simultaneously negative results of procalcitonin and calcitonin. CONCLUSIONS Procalcitonin is reliable in discriminating medullary thyroid carcinoma patients with active disease from those with no evidence of disease. We suggest using procalcitonin as complementary to calcitonin to follow-up medullary thyroid carcinoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- 1 Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona - Switzerland
| | - Rosa Lauretta
- 2 Endocrinology Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome - Italy
| | - Agnese Barnabei
- 2 Endocrinology Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome - Italy
| | - Stefano Valabrega
- 3 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University, Rome - Italy
| | | | - Luca Giovanella
- 1 Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona - Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Jiang K, Lei J, Li C, Shu K, Li W, Zhang Y, Li Z, Gong R, Zhu J. Comparison of the prognostic values of selected inflammation based scores in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma: A pilot study. J Surg Oncol 2017; 116:281-287. [PMID: 28556902 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significance of inflammation based scores including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and plasma fibrinogen remains unclear in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). We aimed to compare the prognostic value of these scores. METHODS Seventy-eight patients newly diagnosed as MTC with operation in our institution from May 2009 to September 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Kaplan-Meier analyses were calculated to compare the prognostic value of these scores. RESULTS Increased PLR was predictive of lymph node metastasis (AUC = 0.644, P = 0.022), capsule invasion (AUC = 0.666, P = 0.007), advanced tumor stages (AUC = 0.657, P = 0.011), and recurrence (AUC = 0.655, P = 0.049). Increased fibrinogen was predictive of lymph node metastasis (AUC = 0.669, P = 0.006) and capsule invasion (AUC = 0.631, P = 0.038). Reduced PNI was predictive of recurrence (AUC = 0.655, P = 0.049). Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox regression analysis revealed that PLR was a significant predictor for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS PLR, fibrinogen, and PNI are all predictive. Specially, PLR is superior to other inflammation based scores in terms of prognostic ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Jiang
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianyong Lei
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Canjun Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kunpeng Shu
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhihui Li
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rixiang Gong
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingqiang Zhu
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
|
35
|
Trimboli P, Seregni E, Treglia G, Alevizaki M, Giovanella L. Procalcitonin for detecting medullary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review. Endocr Relat Cancer 2015; 22:R157-64. [PMID: 25934688 DOI: 10.1530/erc-15-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of published studies to provide a robust estimation of the use of procalcitonin (ProCT) as a diagnostic marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), with particular focus on its specificity and negative predictive value in excluding MTC. A comprehensive computer literature search was conducted to find relevant published articles on the topic. We used a search algorithm based on a combination of the terms 'medullary,' 'thyroid,' and 'ProCT.' The search was updated until February 2015. To expand our search, references of the retrieved articles were also screened. A total of 39 articles were retrieved, of which nine original papers published from 2003 to 2014 were selected for the review. Some of these studies used ProCT in the preoperative diagnosis of MTC, whereas others measured ProCT during the follow-up of patients who had been previously treated for MTC. Other laboratory measurements were performed in some of the included studies. The results of the majority of the studies indicate that ProCT measurement appears to be a very promising and reliable serum marker for the diagnosis of MTC, and it is not inferior to calcitonin (CT). The sample handling is less laborious, and in the few CT-negative cases reviewed, the assay had even greater sensitivity. It would be worthwhile to establish cutoff levels using larger patient series, because we speculate that this assay could potentially replace CT measurement in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - Ettore Seregni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - Giorgio Treglia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Alevizaki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid CentreOncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, 6500, SwitzerlandSection of Endocrinology and DiabetologyOspedale Israelitico, Rome, ItalyNuclear MedicineFondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, ItalyEndocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Alexandra General Hospital, Athens University, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Wells SA, Asa SL, Dralle H, Elisei R, Evans DB, Gagel RF, Lee N, Machens A, Moley JF, Pacini F, Raue F, Frank-Raue K, Robinson B, Rosenthal MS, Santoro M, Schlumberger M, Shah M, Waguespack SG. Revised American Thyroid Association guidelines for the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid 2015; 25:567-610. [PMID: 25810047 PMCID: PMC4490627 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2014.0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1262] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The American Thyroid Association appointed a Task Force of experts to revise the original Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Management Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association. METHODS The Task Force identified relevant articles using a systematic PubMed search, supplemented with additional published materials, and then created evidence-based recommendations, which were set in categories using criteria adapted from the United States Preventive Services Task Force Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The original guidelines provided abundant source material and an excellent organizational structure that served as the basis for the current revised document. RESULTS The revised guidelines are focused primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and hereditary MTC. CONCLUSIONS The Task Force developed 67 evidence-based recommendations to assist clinicians in the care of patients with MTC. The Task Force considers the recommendations to represent current, rational, and optimal medical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A. Wells
- Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sylvia L. Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Henning Dralle
- Department of General, Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Douglas B. Evans
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Robert F. Gagel
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nancy Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Andreas Machens
- Department of General, Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Jeffrey F. Moley
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Furio Pacini
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Policlinico Santa Maria alle Scotte, Siena, Italy
| | - Friedhelm Raue
- Endocrine Practice, Moleculargenetic Laboratory, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karin Frank-Raue
- Endocrine Practice, Moleculargenetic Laboratory, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bruce Robinson
- University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M. Sara Rosenthal
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Massimo Santoro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universita' di Napoli “Federico II,” Napoli, Italy
| | - Martin Schlumberger
- Institut Gustave Roussy, Service de Medecine Nucleaire, Université of Paris-Sud, Villejuif, France
| | - Manisha Shah
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Steven G. Waguespack
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
The utility of proadrenomedullin and procalcitonin in comparison to C-reactive protein as predictors of sepsis and bloodstream infections in critically ill patients with cancer*. Crit Care Med 2015; 42:2500-7. [PMID: 25083975 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infections in critically ill patients continue to impose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We seek to investigate the utility of proadrenomedullin and procalcitonin as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in febrile critically ill patients with cancer and compare their performance with that of C-reactive protein. DESIGN Single-center prospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary care, academic, university hospital. PATIENTS One hundred fourteen critically ill patients with cancer with fever. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood samples were withdrawn on the day of fever onset and 4 to 7 days thereafter, and the serum proadrenomedullin, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels were measured using the Kryptor technology afterward. Of the 114 adult patients, 27 had bloodstream infections, 36 had localized infections, and the remaining had no infections. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for bloodstream infection diagnosis was significantly greater for proadrenomedullin (0.70; 95% CI, 0.59-0.82) and procalcitonin (0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.83) compared with C-reactive protein (0.53; 95% CI, 0.39-0.66) (p = 0.021 and p = 0.003, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis also showed that proadrenomedullin (p = 0.005) and procalcitonin (p = 0.009) each had a better performance than C-reactive protein in predicting patients' mortality within 2 months after their fever onset. Regarding patients' response to antimicrobial therapy, proadrenomedullin, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein levels all significantly decreased from baseline to follow-up in responders (p ≤ 0.002), whereas only proadrenomedullin level significantly increased in nonresponders (p < 0.0001). In patients with documented infections, proadrenomedullin (0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.92) and procalcitonin (0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.85) each had a greater area under the curve compared with C-reactive protein (0.59; 95% CI, 0.45-0.73) as for as predicting response (p = 0.004 and p = 0.043, respectively). However, for all febrile patients, proadrenomedullin had a significantly greater area under the curve for predicting favorable response than procalcitonin (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In critically ill patients with cancer, proadrenomedullin and procalcitonin both have a promising role in predicting bloodstream infections in a manner more helpful than C-reactive protein. These two biomarkers were superior to C-reactive protein in the prognostic analysis of response to antimicrobial therapy for those patients with documented infections. However, proadrenomedullin was superior to procalcitonin in predicting response in all febrile patients and was unique in showing increased levels among nonresponders.
Collapse
|
38
|
Bae YJ, Schaab M, Kratzsch J. Calcitonin as Biomarker for the Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Recent Results Cancer Res 2015; 204:117-37. [PMID: 26494386 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22542-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Calcitonin (CTN) is a polypeptide hormone consisting of 32 amino acids with a disulfide bridge between position 1 and 7 that is mainly produced by the C-cells of thyroid gland. The measurement of CTN concentrations in blood reflects C-cell activity and is performed in general by immunoassay methods. However, there are analytical, physiological, pharmacological, and pathological factors that can influence results of serum CTN values. Due to the influence of these factors, there is a high variability in assay-dependent cutoffs used to discriminate between MTC, C-cell hyperplasia (CCH), and the absence of the pathological impairment of C-cells. There is a lot of evidence that the measurement of serum CTN concentrations in patients with thyroid nodules can lead to an earlier diagnosis of MTC or CCH than the exclusive use of imaging procedures and/or fine-needle aspiration cytology. Basal CTN concentrations higher than 60-100 pg/mL are highly indicative for the diagnosis MTC. In the range between cutoff and 60 pg/mL CTN, both MTC and HCC may be a relevant diagnosis. PCT and CTN appear to have a comparable diagnostic capability to diagnose MTCs. However, "positive" PCT values of more than 50 pg/mL may be reached also in subclinical infections and will lead, therefore, to an overdiagnosis of the tumor. Pentagastrin- or calcium-stimulated serum CTN concentrations higher than cutoff values might improve diagnostics of MTC, but the non-availability of the first and the lacking of relevant cutoff values for the second tool favors the use of only basal values currently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Ju Bae
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Universität Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13-15, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Schaab
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Universität Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13-15, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Juergen Kratzsch
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinische Chemie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Universität Leipzig, Paul-List-Str. 13-15, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Machens A, Lorenz K, Dralle H. Utility of serum procalcitonin for screening and risk stratification of medullary thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:2986-94. [PMID: 24840813 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-1278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The clinical utility of procalcitonin has not been demonstrated across the whole spectrum of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). OBJECTIVE This serum biomarker validation study aimed at defining the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin for screening and risk stratification of MTC and delineating biochemical thresholds predictive of lymph node involvement in the neck and mediastinum. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a retrospective analysis at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Included in this study were 457 consecutive patients with previously untreated MTC, 112 of whom had procalcitonin and calcitonin serum levels determined before the initial operation. INTERVENTION The intervention was compartment-oriented surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Main outcome measures included primary tumor diameter, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and biochemical cure. RESULTS Receiver operating characteristics analyses revealed similar diagnostic accuracy for procalcitonin vs the current calcitonin standard, yielding comparable areas under the curve for primary tumors at thresholds of 10 (0.94 vs 0.93) and 40 (0.92 vs 0.84) mm; extrathyroidal extension (0.84 vs 0.83), lymph node metastasis (0.88 vs 0.86), and distant metastasis (0.93 vs 0.91). Lymph node metastases were present in the ipsilateral lateral neck with procalcitonin levels ≤1.0 ng/mL and the ipsilateral central neck with procalcitonin levels ≤0.25 ng/mL. Above a threshold of 1.0 ng/mL, lymph node metastases emerged in the contralateral central and lateral neck and above 5.0 ng/mL also in the upper mediastinum. When procalcitonin levels exceeded 1, 5, 10, and 50 ng/mL, biochemical cure rates declined to no more than 71%, 36%, 23%, and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION Serum procalcitonin, having comparable diagnostic accuracy, has great potential to replace serum calcitonin as a new standard of care in the management of MTC because it does not need to be kept cool on ice or frozen and is easier to manage at the community level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Machens
- Department of General, Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06097 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Trimboli P, Giovanella L, Crescenzi A, Romanelli F, Valabrega S, Spriano G, Cremonini N, Guglielmi R, Papini E. Medullary thyroid cancer diagnosis: An appraisal. Head Neck 2014; 36:1216-23. [DOI: 10.1002/hed.23449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Trimboli
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetology; Ospedale Israelitico; Rome Italy
| | - Luca Giovanella
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Thyroid Centre; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland; Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - Anna Crescenzi
- Section of Pathology; Ospedale Israelitico; Rome Italy
- Anatomic Pathology Unit; Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Albano Laziale; Rome Italy
| | | | - Stefano Valabrega
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences; Ospedale S. Andrea, Sapienza University; Rome Italy
| | - Giuseppe Spriano
- Department of Otolaryngology; Head and Neck Surgery; Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena; Rome Italy
| | | | - Rinaldo Guglielmi
- Department of Endocrinology; Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Albano Laziale; Rome Italy
| | - Enrico Papini
- Department of Endocrinology; Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Albano Laziale; Rome Italy
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Tuttle RM, Ganly I. Risk stratification in medullary thyroid cancer: Moving beyond static anatomic staging. Oral Oncol 2013; 49:695-701. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2013.03.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
42
|
d'Herbomez M. [Calcitonin: indications and interpretation]. Presse Med 2011; 40:1141-6. [PMID: 22035862 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2011.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Revised: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcitonin is the sensitive and specific marker of the medullary thyroid cancers. It is a diagnostic, pronostic and follow-up marker. Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare disease representing 4% of the thyroid cancers and occurring in 0.4% of nodular thyroid pathology. The use of sex specific adults normal ranges allows a better interpretation of the moderately elevated calcitonin levels. Hypercalcitoninaemia non due to medullary thyroid cancer are attributed mainly to male sex, tobacco use, overweight, renal failure and other endocrine tumors. CT is associated to carcinoembryonic antigen and possible procalcitonin assays. Calcitonin can be assayed in the wash-out fluid of the fine needle aspiration too. Stimulation tests give poor additional diagnostic information and are about to be abandoned.
Collapse
|
43
|
Bouillet B, Petit JM, Tison LO, Beynat C, Brunot S, Baudoin N. The first case report of diaphragmatic paralysis as a paraneoplastic syndrome of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2011; 75:143-5. [PMID: 21521275 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2011.04004.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B Bouillet
- Endocrinology and Diabetology DepartmentEndocrine Surgery DepartmentPneumology Department Neurology Department, CHU - Hôpital du Bocage, Dijon, France E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kratzsch J, Petzold A, Raue F, Reinhardt W, Bröcker-Preuβ M, Görges R, Mann K, Karges W, Morgenthaler N, Luster M, Reiners C, Thiery J, Dralle H, Fuhrer D. Basal and Stimulated Calcitonin and Procalcitonin by Various Assays in Patients with and without Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Clin Chem 2011; 57:467-74. [DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2010.151688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Calcitonin (CT) is a sensitive marker for evaluation of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, CT measurement can vary with assay- and nonassay-dependent factors, and procalcitonin (PCT) measurement has been proposed for evaluating questionable increases in CT.
METHODS
We tested 2 fully automated CT assays (Immulite [IL] and Liaison [LIA]) and 1 nonautomated CT assay (IRMA, Medipan) and compared these results with PCT (Brahms Kryptor). We evaluated preanalytical conditions and PCT cross-reactivity in sera of 437 patients with clinical conditions associated with hypercalcitoninemia. Additionally, we determined the true “nil” CT concentration in 60 thyroidectomized patients and defined CT cutoff concentrations for pentagastrin stimulation testing in 13 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and 10 MTC patients.
RESULTS
Markedly decreased CT concentrations were found after storage of sera for >2 h at room temperature and >6 h at 4 °C. Cutoff concentrations for basal and stimulated CT were disease and assay dependent. Proton pump inhibitor therapy was the most frequent reason for increased CT. PCT concentrations were higher in patients with MTC than in patients with CKD without infections (P < 0.001). Whereas IL and LIA demonstrated comparable analytical quality, the IRMA gave increased CT concentrations in nil sera and showed cross-reactivity with PCT in patients with concomitant bacterial infection.
CONCLUSIONS
IL, LIA, and IRMA detected increased CT concentrations in non-MTC patients and discriminated MTC from CKD patients in pentagastrin tests. PCT assessment may be helpful in the diagnostic work-up of increased CT concentrations in questionable clinical circumstances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics; and
| | - Anne Petzold
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics; and
- Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Clinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Rainer Görges
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Wolfram Karges
- Department of Internal Medicine III, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nils Morgenthaler
- Department of Research, Brahms Aktiengesellschaft, Henningsdorf, Germany
| | - Markus Luster
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christoph Reiners
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Thiery
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics; and
| | - Henning Dralle
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Dagmar Fuhrer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Clinic for Endocrinology and Nephrology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Giovanella L, Suriano S. Spurious hypercalcitoninemia and heterophilic antibodies in patients with thyroid nodules. Head Neck 2011; 33:95-7. [DOI: 10.1002/hed.21405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
46
|
|
47
|
Giovanella L, Maffioli M, Suriano S, Dorizzi RM. Elevated calcitonin and procalcitonin levels in nonmedullary benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2010; 72:852-3. [PMID: 19863575 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03733.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
48
|
Walter MA, Meier C, Radimerski T, Iten F, Kränzlin M, Müller-Brand J, de Groot JWB, Kema IP, Links TP, Müller B. Procalcitonin levels predict clinical course and progression-free survival in patients with medullary thyroid cancer. Cancer 2010; 116:31-40. [PMID: 19890958 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procalcitonin has been well established as an important marker of sepsis and systemic infection. The authors evaluated the diagnostic and predictive value of calcitonin and its prohormone procalcitonin in medullary thyroid cancer. METHODS The authors systematically explored the ability of calcitonin and procalcitonin to identify medullary thyroid cancer and predict the endpoints local recurrence and distant metastases, as well as the progression-free survival. Patients with C-cell hyperplasia; patients after thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer, goiter, or Graves disease; and healthy subjects served as controls. The study was performed in accordance with the Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies of the National Cancer Institute. RESULTS Sixty-nine medullary thyroid cancer patients and 96 controls were included (median observed interval: 10.9 years [range, 1.4-47.5 years]; 981.8 patient-years). The 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year recurrence rates were 9%, 34%, 45%, and 56%, respectively. Calcitonin had a higher diagnostic accuracy for detecting medullary thyroid cancer than procalcitonin (area under the curve [AUC], 0.94; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.90-0.99 vs AUC, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95 [P = .038]). The procalcitonin:calcitonin ratio predicted disease progression (AUC, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51-0.75 [P = .036]) and progression-free survival (hazards ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.09-2.04 [P = .013]). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study indicate a superior diagnostic accuracy of calcitonin and an independent predictive value of the procalcitonin:calcitonin ratio. These findings may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for medullary thyroid cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Walter
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
de Wit NCJ, de Jager CPC, Meekelenkamp JCE, Schoorl M, van Gageldonk-Lafeber AB, Leenders ACAP, Kusters R, Wever PC. Markers of infection in inpatients and outpatients with acute Q-fever. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010; 47:1407-9. [PMID: 19778289 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2009.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Query-fever (Q-fever) is a zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular Gram-negative coccobacillus Coxiella burnetii. A large ongoing outbreak of Q-fever has been reported in the Netherlands. We studied various markers of infection in inpatients (hospitalised) and outpatients (treated by a general physician) with acute Q-fever in relation to disease severity. METHODS Leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations were measured in 25 inpatients and 40 outpatients upon presentation with acute Q-fever. Chest X-rays, if available, were analysed and confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure-age 65 (CURB-65) scores, indicating severity of pneumonia, were calculated. RESULTS CRP was the only marker that significantly differentiated between inpatients and outpatients. It was increased in all patients from both groups. Leukocyte counts and PCT concentrations did not differ between inpatients and outpatients. Overall, only 13/65 patients had an increased leukocyte count and only 11/65 patients presented with PCT concentrations indicative of possible bacterial respiratory tract infection. Infiltrative changes on the chest X-ray were observed in the majority of patients. CURB-65 score was 0+/-1 (mean+/-SD). CONCLUSIONS Acute Q-fever, a relatively mild pneumonia with low CURB-65 scores, specifically induces a response in CRP, while PCT concentrations and leukocytes are within the normal range or increased only marginally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norbert C J de Wit
- Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Circulating procalcitonin in aseptic carcinoma patients: a specificity study with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography as benchmark. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010; 48:1163-5. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2010.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|