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Ramírez-Rentería C, Hernández-Ramírez LC. Genetic diagnosis in acromegaly and gigantism: From research to clinical practice. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 38:101892. [PMID: 38521632 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2024.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
It is usually considered that only 5% of all pituitary neuroendocrine tumours are due to inheritable causes. Since this estimate was reported, however, multiple genetic defects driving syndromic and nonsyndromic somatotrophinomas have been unveiled. This heterogeneous genetic background results in overlapping phenotypes of GH excess. Genetic tests should be part of the approach to patients with acromegaly and gigantism because they can refine the clinical diagnoses, opening the possibility to tailor the clinical conduct to each patient. Even more, genetic testing and clinical screening of at-risk individuals have a positive impact on disease outcomes, by allowing for the timely detection and treatment of somatotrophinomas at early stages. Future research should focus on determining the actual frequency of novel genetic drivers of somatotrophinomas in the general population, developing up-to-date disease-specific multi-gene panels for clinical use, and finding strategies to improve access to modern genetic testing worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ramírez-Rentería
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Endocrinas, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura C Hernández-Ramírez
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, e Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Sada V, Puliani G, Feola T, Pirchio R, Pofi R, Sesti F, De Alcubierre D, Amodeo ME, D'Aniello F, Vincenzi L, Gianfrilli D, Isidori AM, Grossman AB, Sbardella E. Tall stature and gigantism in transition age: clinical and genetic aspects-a literature review and recommendations. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:777-793. [PMID: 37891382 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02223-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tall stature is defined as height greater than the threshold of more than 2 standard deviations above the average population height for age, sex, and ethnicity. Many studies have described the main aspects of this condition during puberty, but an analysis of the characteristics that the physician should consider in the differential diagnosis of gigantism-tall stature secondary to a pituitary tumour-during the transition age (15-25 years) is still lacking. METHODS A comprehensive search of English-language original articles was conducted in the MEDLINE database (December 2021-March 2022). We selected all studies regarding epidemiology, genetic aspects, and the diagnosis of tall stature and gigantism during the transition age. RESULTS Generally, referrals for tall stature are not as frequent as expected because most cases are familial and are usually unreported by parents and patients to endocrinologists. For this reason, lacking such experience of tall stature, familiarity with many rarer overgrowth syndromes is essential. In the transition age, it is important but challenging to distinguish adolescents with high constitutional stature from those with gigantism. Pituitary gigantism is a rare disease in the transition age, but its systemic complications are very relevant for future health. Endocrine evaluation is crucial for identifying conditions that require hormonal treatment so that they can be treated early to improve the quality of life and prevent comorbidities of individual patient in this age range. CONCLUSION The aim of our review is to provide a practical clinical approach to recognise adolescents, potentially affected by gigantism, as early as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - G Puliani
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - T Feola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Neuromed Institute, IRCCS, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - R Pirchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - R Pofi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - F Sesti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D De Alcubierre
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M E Amodeo
- Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - F D'Aniello
- Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - L Vincenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Gianfrilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ENDO-ERN Accredited), Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - A B Grossman
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - E Sbardella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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De Sousa SMC, Shen A, Yates CJ, Clifton-Bligh R, Santoreneos S, King J, Toubia J, Trivellin G, Lania AG, Stratakis CA, Torpy DJ, Scott HS. PAM variants in patients with thyrotrophinomas, cyclical Cushing's disease and prolactinomas. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1305606. [PMID: 38075079 PMCID: PMC10710132 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1305606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Germline loss-of-function variants in PAM, encoding peptidylglycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), were recently discovered to be enriched in conditions of pathological pituitary hypersecretion, specifically: somatotrophinoma, corticotrophinoma, and prolactinoma. PAM is the sole enzyme responsible for C-terminal amidation of peptides, and plays a role in the biosynthesis and regulation of multiple hormones, including proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Methods We performed exome sequencing of germline and tumour DNA from 29 individuals with functioning pituitary adenomas (12 prolactinomas, 10 thyrotrophinomas, 7 cyclical Cushing's disease). An unfiltered analysis was undertaken of all PAM variants with population prevalence <5%. Results We identified five coding, non-synonymous PAM variants of interest amongst seven individuals (six germline, one somatic). The five variants comprised four missense variants and one truncating variant, all heterozygous. Each variant had some evidence of pathogenicity based on population prevalence, conservation scores, in silico predictions and/or prior functional studies. The yield of predicted deleterious PAM variants was thus 7/29 (24%). The variants predominated in individuals with thyrotrophinomas (4/10, 40%) and cyclical Cushing's disease (2/7, 29%), compared to prolactinomas (1/12, 8%). Conclusion This is the second study to demonstrate a high yield of suspected loss-of-function, predominantly germline, PAM variants in individuals with pathological pituitary hypersecretion. We have extended the association with corticotrophinoma to include the specific clinical entity of cyclical Cushing's disease and demonstrated a novel association between PAM variants and thyrotrophinoma. PAM variants might act as risk alleles for pituitary adenoma formation, with a possible genotype-phenotype relationship between truncating variants and altered temporal secretion of cortisol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita M. C. De Sousa
- Endocrine & Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Adult Genetics Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Angeline Shen
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher J. Yates
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roderick Clifton-Bligh
- Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Santoreneos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - James King
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John Toubia
- ACRF Cancer Genomics Facility, Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Giampaolo Trivellin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea G. Lania
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Constantine A. Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
- Human Genetics and Precision Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
- Research Institute, ELPEN, Athens, Greece
| | - David J. Torpy
- Endocrine & Metabolic Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hamish S. Scott
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Centre for Cancer Biology, An SA Pathology and University of South Australia Alliance, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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