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La Rocca E, De Santis MC, Silvestri M, Ortolan E, Valenti M, Folli S, de Braud FG, Bianchi GV, Scaperrotta GP, Apolone G, Daidone MG, Cappelletti V, Pruneri G, Di Cosimo S. Early stage breast cancer follow-up in real-world clinical practice: the added value of cell free circulating tumor DNA. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 148:1543-1550. [PMID: 35396978 PMCID: PMC9114063 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-03990-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Physical examinations and annual mammography (minimal follow-up) are as effective as laboratory/imaging tests (intensive follow-up) in detecting breast cancer (BC) recurrence. This statement is now challenged by the availability of new diagnostic tools for asymptomatic cases. Herein, we analyzed current practices and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in monitoring high-risk BC patients treated with curative intent in a comprehensive cancer center. Patients and methods Forty-two consecutive triple negative BC patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and surgery were prospectively enrolled. Data from plasma samples and surveillance procedures were analyzed to report the diagnostic pattern of relapsed cases, i.e., by symptoms, follow-up procedures and ctDNA. Results Besides minimal follow-up, 97% and 79% of patients had at least 1 non-recommended imaging and laboratory tests for surveillance purposes. During a median follow-up of 5.1(IQR, 4.1–5.9) years, 13 events occurred (1 contralateral BC, 1 loco-regional recurrence, 10 metastases, and 1 death). Five recurrent cases were diagnosed by intensive follow-up, 5 by symptoms, and 2 incidentally. ctDNA antedated disseminated disease in all evaluable cases excepted two with bone-only and single liver metastases. The mean time from ctDNA detection to suspicious findings at follow-up imaging was 3.81(SD, 2.68), and to definitive recurrence diagnosis 8(SD, 2.98) months. ctDNA was undetectable in the absence of disease and in two suspected cases not subsequently confirmed. Conclusions Some relapses are still symptomatic despite the extensive use of intensive follow-up. ctDNA is a specific test, sensitive enough to detect recurrence before other methods, suitable for clarifying equivocal imaging, and exploitable for salvage therapy in asymptomatic BC survivors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-022-03990-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- E La Rocca
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Radiation Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M C De Santis
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Radiation Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Silvestri
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - E Ortolan
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Valenti
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Folli
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Breast Cancer Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - F G de Braud
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G V Bianchi
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Division of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G P Scaperrotta
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,Radiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Apolone
- Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M G Daidone
- Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - V Cappelletti
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Pruneri
- Breast Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Di Cosimo
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Silvestri M, Vingiani A, De Cecco L, Belfiore A, Ortolan E, Veneroni S, Trama A, Cappelletti V, Pruneri G, Di Cosimo S. 12P The RODILIA pilot study for molecular screening of patients with metaplastic breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Ortolan E, Appierto V, Silvestri M, Miceli R, Veneroni S, Folli S, Pruneri G, Vingiani A, Belfiore A, Cappelletti V, Vismara M, Dell'Angelo F, De Cecco L, Bianchi GV, de Braud FG, Daidone MG, Di Cosimo S. Blood-based genomics of triple-negative breast cancer progression in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100086. [PMID: 33743331 PMCID: PMC8010400 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly used in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), we investigated the value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for patient monitoring prior, during, and after NAC, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for disease characterization at clinical progression. Materials and methods Forty-two TNBC patients undergoing NAC were prospectively enrolled. Primary tumor mutations identified by targeted-gene sequencing were validated and tracked in 168 plasma samples longitudinally collected at multiple time-points by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. At progression, plasma DNA underwent direct targeted-gene assay, and CTCs were collected and analyzed for copy number alterations (CNAs) by low-pass whole genome sequencing. Results ctDNA detection after NAC was associated with increased risk of relapse, with 2-year event-free survival estimates being 44.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21.4%-92.3%] versus 77.4% (95% CI 57.8%-100%). ctDNA prognostic value remained worthy even after adjusting for age, residual disease, systemic inflammatory indices, and Ki-67 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.91; 95% CI 0.51-7.08]. During follow-up, ctDNA was undetectable in non-recurrent cases with the unique exception of one showing a temporary peak over eight samples. Conversely, ctDNA was detected in 8/11 recurrent cases, and predated the clinical diagnosis up to 13 months. Notably, recurrent cases without ctDNA developed locoregional, contralateral, and bone-only disease. At clinical progression, CTCs presented chromosome 10 and 21q CNAs whose network analysis showed connected modules including HER/PI3K/Ras/JAK signaling and immune response. Conclusion ctDNA is not only associated with but is also predictive of prognosis in TNBC patients receiving NAC, and represents an exploitable tool, either alone or with CTCs, for personalized TNBC management. ctDNA was detected in 77% of early-stage TNBC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with still detectable ctDNA after NAC were more than twice as likely to relapse as those with undetectable levels. Detection of ctDNA during follow-up antedated clinical overt metastases up to 13 months. ctDNA was undetectable in all but one non-recurrent patient with a temporary peak in only 1 of 8 samples tested. CTCs of progressing cases lacked epithelial surface markers and showed therapeutically exploitable molecular features.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ortolan
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - V Appierto
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Silvestri
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - R Miceli
- Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organization Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Veneroni
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Folli
- Breast Cancer Unit, Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Pruneri
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Vingiani
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Belfiore
- Department of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - V Cappelletti
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Vismara
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - F Dell'Angelo
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - L De Cecco
- Integrated Biology Platform, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G V Bianchi
- Department of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - F G de Braud
- Department of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M G Daidone
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - S Di Cosimo
- Biomarkers Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Di Cosimo S, Appierto V, Silvestri M, Ortolan E, De Cecco L, Veneroni S, Pruneri G, Vingiani A, Belfiore A, Scaperrotta G, Folli S, Daidone MG. Primary tumor somatic mutations in the blood of women with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Ann Oncol 2019; 31:435-437. [PMID: 32067686 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2019.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Di Cosimo
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - V Appierto
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M Silvestri
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - E Ortolan
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - L De Cecco
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Veneroni
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Pruneri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Vingiani
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Belfiore
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Scaperrotta
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Folli
- Breast Cancer Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - M G Daidone
- Department of Applied Research and Technical Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Di Cosimo S, Appierto V, Ortolan E, Dell’Angelo F, Silvestri M, Bianchi G, Folli S, De Cecco L, Pruneri G, Daidone M. Circulating tumor DNA and disease recurrence in early stage breast cancer: From a case-control study to a prospective longitudinal trial. Ann Oncol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz096.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Lo Buono N, Morone S, Parrotta R, Giacomino A, Chiorino G, Ostano P, Mello-Grand M, Funaro A, Ortolan E. 441 Involvement of CD157 in the Control of Ovarian Cancer Progression. Eur J Cancer 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(12)71119-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Ortolan E, Spadella C, Caramori C, Machado J, Gregorio E, Rabello K. Microscopic, Morphometric and Ultrastructural Analysis of Anastomotic Healing in the Intestine of Normal and Diabetic Rats. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2007; 116:198-202. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Lavagno L, Ferrero E, Ortolan E, Malavasi F, Funaro A. CD157 is part of a supramolecular complex with CD11b/CD18 on the human neutrophil cell surface. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2007; 21:5-11. [PMID: 18211745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
CD157 is a GPI-anchored cell surface glycoprotein expressed by human peripheral blood neutrophils. Cross-linking of CD157 induces intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and re-shaping in neutrophils, thus regulating their adhesive and migratory properties. Results obtained by immunolocalization and confocal microscopy indicate that CD157 lies in close proximity to the CD11b/CD18 complex which is strongly expressed on the activated neutrophil cell membrane where it plays a predominant role in adhesion. This study analyses the physical association between CD157 and CD18 in human neutrophils by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. The anti-CD157 monoclonal antibody RF3 co-precipitates CD18, and the anti-CD18 antibody TS1/18 co-precipitates CD157 from human neutrophil lysates. These results confirm that CD157 physically interacts with CD11b/CD18 complex in human neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lavagno
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Bakonyi Neto A, Takegawa B, Ortolan E, Galvão F, Mendonça F, Sbragia L, Crepaldi N, Vicente Y, Chaves H, Guimarães J. Demographic of short gut syndrome: increasing demand is not followed by referral of potential candidates for small bowel transplantation. Transplant Proc 2004; 36:259-60. [PMID: 15050127 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.01.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite improvements in small bowel transplantation (SBTx), early referral of patients with irreversible intestinal failure (IF) remains a major obstacle. In this study we evaluated the demand for SBTx among seven surgical pediatric centers located at least 200 km from our center. METHODS From 1997 to 2001, 640 patients have been treated for neonatal diseases, including 248 who underwent a minor or major intestinal resection. Twenty-four patients with major resections presented with short gut syndrome, requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The greatest demand was in postsurgical neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis, gastroschiesis, onphalocoeles, or midgut volvulus, and in three adults with postradiotherapy arteritis (n = 2) and mesenteric vein thromboses (n = 1). The median length of residual bowel after resection was 20 to 30 cm, without an ileocecal valve. Four patients were referred for SBTx evaluation; three died while awaiting a donor; 20 were not referred, among whom 14 died of TPN complications. RESULTS Approximately 62 children per year require nutritional support for IF, most of whom develop complications related to TPN. Because many patients who are TPN-dependent develop complications, we believe that early referral would reduce mortality. CONCLUSIONS Greater medical awareness about the feasibility of SBTx procedures and earlier referral may improve results and quality of life after transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bakonyi Neto
- Department of Surgery, Botucatu Faculty of Medicine, UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Mallone R, Ortolan E, Pinach S, Volante M, Zanone MM, Bruno G, Baj G, Lohmann T, Cavallo-Perin P, Malavasi F. Anti-CD38 autoantibodies: characterisation in new-onset type I diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult (LADA) and comparison with other islet autoantibodies. Diabetologia 2002; 45:1667-77. [PMID: 12488956 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-002-0940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2002] [Revised: 06/28/2002] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Serum anti-CD38 autoantibodies (aAbs) have been reported in 17 to 19% of patients with long-standing Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Whether these aAbs are also found in new-onset Type I diabetes and in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is not known, as is their relationship with conventional islet aAbs. METHODS These issues were addressed by studying new-onset Type I and LADA diabetic cohorts with a recently developed anti-CD38 enzymatic immuno-assay. RESULTS Anti-CD38 aAb prevalence among new-onset Type I patients (3.8%) was lower than previously found in long-standing Type I diabetes (11.7%, as defined with the 97.5 percentile cutoff; p=0.01), suggesting a late appearance of these aAbs. Among LADA patients, 14.9% were anti-CD38(+). Anti-CD38 were only associated with anti-GAD aAbs in new-onset Type I diabetes. Although the CD38 target molecule was expressed in human pancreatic islets, anti-CD38 aAbs did not contribute to the islet cell antibody (ICA) immunofluorescence reactivity. All the positive sera analysed for Ca(2+) release were found to mobilise it. In agreement with these agonistic features, anti-CD38(+) new-onset Type I patients showed higher fasting C-peptide values as compared to negative counterparts; the association was stronger when the analysis was limited to the agonistic anti-CD38(+) sera. A similar trend was found among LADA patients. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION Anti-CD38 aAbs are distinct markers of islet autoimmunity which are more prevalent in long-standing disease, as opposed to the other known islet aAbs. Their in vitro agonistic properties could be operating in vivo as well, as they identify sub-groups of patients with higher residual beta-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mallone
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Torino, Italy.
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Mallone R, Ortolan E, Baj G, Funaro A, Giunti S, Lillaz E, Saccucci F, Cassader M, Cavallo-Perin P, Malavasi F. Autoantibody response to CD38 in Caucasian patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: immunological and genetic characterization. Diabetes 2001; 50:752-62. [PMID: 11289039 DOI: 10.2337/diabetes.50.4.752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Insulin secretion is one of the functions mediated by CD38, a nonlineage pleiotropic cell surface receptor. The molecule is the target of an autoimmune response, because serum autoantibodies (aAbs) to CD38 have been detected in diabetic patients. In the healthy Caucasian population, the CD38 gene is bi-allelic (86% CD38*B and 14% CD38*A), whereas an Arg140Trp mutation has been identified in Japanese diabetic patients. We investigated the relationship between CD38 and diabetes in Caucasian patients by characterizing anti-CD38 aAbs in terms of prevalence and function (agonistic/nonagonistic activity) and by exploring the potential influence of the CD38 genetic background. A novel enzymatic immunoassay, using recombinant soluble CD38 as the target antigen, was developed for the analysis of anti-CD38 aAb titers. Sera from 19.15% of type 1 and 16.67% of type 2 diabetic patients were positive. The majority of anti-CD38 aAbs (57.14%) displayed agonistic properties, i.e., they demonstrated the capability to trigger Ca2+ release in lymphocytic cell lines. In agreement with these functional features, the presence of anti-CD38 aAbs in type 2 diabetic patients was associated with significantly higher levels of fasting plasma C-peptide and insulin, as compared with anti-CD38-counterparts. No diabetic subject carrying the Arg140Trp mutation and no preferential association between diabetes or aAb status and the CD38*A allele was found in the study population. These results show the significance of anti-CD38 aAbs as a new diagnostic marker of beta-cell autoimmunity in diabetes. Moreover, the prevalent agonistic activity of these aAbs suggests that they could mediate relevant effects on target cells by means of Ca2+ mobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mallone
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Torino, Italy
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