Management of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma in patients with germline SDHB pathogenic variants: an international expert Consensus statement

Adult and paediatric patients with pathogenic variants in the gene encoding succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunit B (SDHB) often have locally aggressive, recurrent or metastatic phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs). Furthermore, SDHB PPGLs have the highest rates of disease-specific morbidity and mortality compared with other hereditary PPGLs. PPGLs with SDHB pathogenic variants are often less differentiated and do not produce substantial amounts of catecholamines (in some patients, they produce only dopamine) compared with other hereditary subtypes, which enables these tumours to grow subclinically for a long time. In addition, SDHB pathogenic variants support tumour growth through high levels of the oncometabolite succinate and other mechanisms related to cancer initiation and progression. As a result, pseudohypoxia and upregulation of genes related to the hypoxia signalling pathway occur, promoting the growth, migration, invasiveness and metastasis of cancer cells. These factors, along with a high rate of metastasis, support early surgical intervention and total resection of PPGLs, regardless of the tumour size. The treatment of metastases is challenging and relies on either local or systemic therapies, or sometimes both. This Consensus statement should help guide clinicians in the diagnosis and management of patients with SDHB PPGLs.

Diagnosis and management of secondary adrenal crisis

Adrenal crisis (AC) is a life threatening acute adrenal insufficiency (AI) episode which can occur in patients with primary AI but also secondary AI (SAI), tertiary AI (TAI) and iatrogenic AI (IAI). In SAI, TAI and IAI, AC may develop when the HPA axis is unable to mount an adequate glucocorticoid response to severe stress due to pituitary or hypothalamic disruption. It manifests as an acute deterioration in multi-organ homeostasis that, if untreated, leads to shock and death. Despite the availability of effective preventive strategies, its prevalence is increasing in patients with SAI, TAI and IAI due to more frequent exogenous steroid administration, pituitary immune-related effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors and opioid use in pain management. The delayed diagnosis of acute AI which remains infrequently suspected increases the risk of AC. Its main precipitating factors are infections, emotional distress, surgery, cessation or reduction in GC doses, pituitary infarction or surgical cure of endogenous Cushing's syndrome. In patients not known previously to have SAI/TAI/IAI, recognition of its symptoms, signs, and biochemical abnormalities can be challenging and cause delay in proper diagnosis and therapy. Effective therapy of AC is rapid intravenous administration of hydrocortisone (initial bolus of 100 mg followed by 200 mg/24 h as continuous infusion or bolus of 50 mg every 6 h) and 0.9% saline. In diagnosed patients, preventive education in sick-day rules adjustment of glucocorticoid replacement and hydrocortisone parenteral self-administration must be performed repeatedly by trained health care providers. Strategies to improve the adequate preventive education in patients at risk for secondary AI should be promoted in collaboration with various medical specialist societies and patients support associations.

Sex-Related Differences in Self-Reported Symptoms at Diagnosis in Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas

Context

Biological sex can play a role in the severity of certain diseases.

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate whether sex-related differences affect the signs and symptoms of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) at presentation.

Methods

We reviewed the records of patients with PPGLs at our center from 1995 to 2022.

Results

Our study included 385 patients with PPGLs: 118 (30.6%) head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs), 58 (15.1%) thoracoabdominal paragangliomas (TAPGLs) and 209 (54.3%) pheochromocytomas (PHEOs). The cohort consisted of 234 (60.8%) women and 151 (39.2%) men. At diagnosis, more women than men presented with headaches (47.5% vs 32.4%; P = .007); however, more men presented with diabetes (21.1% vs 12.5%; P = .039). When subdivided by tumor location, headaches occurred more often in women with HNPGLs and TAPGLs (31.0% vs 11.4%; P = .0499 and 60.0% vs 21.7%; P = .0167). More men presented with diabetes among patients with PHEOs (28.2% vs 11.2%; P = .0038). In regard to nonsecretory PPGLs, women presented with a higher prevalence of headaches (46.9% vs 3.6%; P = .0002), diaphoresis (16.3% vs 0.0%; P = .0454), and palpitations (22.4% vs 0.0%; P = .0057). In patients with secretory tumors, women presented with more headaches (58.9% vs 42.7%; P = .0282) and men with more diabetes (29.3% vs 12.5%; P = .0035).

Conclusion

In our cohort, more women presented with headaches across all tumor types and secretory statuses. More men presented with diabetes among patients with PHEOs and secretory tumors. In nonsecretory PPGLs, women had more adrenergic symptoms. These findings can be explained by differences in adrenergic receptor sensitivity, self-reported symptoms, and possibly other vasoactive peptides and sex-hormone status.

ARMC5 controls the degradation of most Pol II subunits, and ARMC5 mutation increases neural tube defect risks in mice and humans

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are caused by genetic and environmental factors. ARMC5 is part of a novel ubiquitin ligase specific for POLR2A, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II).

RESULTS

We find that ARMC5 knockout mice have increased incidence of NTDs, such as spina bifida and exencephaly. Surprisingly, the absence of ARMC5 causes the accumulation of not only POLR2A but also most of the other 11 Pol II subunits, indicating that the degradation of the whole Pol II complex is compromised. The enlarged Pol II pool does not lead to generalized Pol II stalling or a generalized decrease in mRNA transcription. In neural progenitor cells, ARMC5 knockout only dysregulates 106 genes, some of which are known to be involved in neural tube development. FOLH1, critical in folate uptake and hence neural tube development, is downregulated in the knockout intestine. We also identify nine deleterious mutations in the ARMC5 gene in 511 patients with myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. These mutations impair the interaction between ARMC5 and Pol II and reduce Pol II ubiquitination.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in ARMC5 increase the risk of NTDs in mice and humans. ARMC5 is part of an E3 controlling the degradation of all 12 subunits of Pol II under physiological conditions. The Pol II pool size might have effects on NTD pathogenesis, and some of the effects might be via the downregulation of FOLH1. Additional mechanistic work is needed to establish the causal effect of the findings on NTD pathogenesis.

Adjuvant mitotane versus surveillance in low-grade, localised adrenocortical carcinoma (ADIUVO): an international, multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 trial and observational study

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant treatment with mitotane is commonly used after resection of adrenocortical carcinoma; however, treatment remains controversial, particularly if risk of recurrence is not high. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of adjuvant mitotane compared with surveillance alone following complete tumour resection in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma considered to be at low to intermediate risk of recurrence.

METHODS

ADIUVO was a multicentre, open-label, parallel, randomised, phase 3 trial done in 23 centres across seven countries. Patients aged 18 years or older with adrenocortical carcinoma and low to intermediate risk of recurrence (R0, stage I-III, and Ki67 ≤10%) were randomly assigned to adjuvant oral mitotane two or three times daily (the dose was adjusted by the local investigator with the target of reaching and maintaining plasma mitotane concentrations of 14-20 mg/L) for 2 years or surveillance alone. All consecutive patients at 14 study centres fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the ADIUVO trial who refused randomisation and agreed on data collection via the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors adrenocortical carcinoma registry were included prospectively in the ADIUVO Observational study. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival, defined as the time from randomisation to the first radiological evidence of recurrence or death from any cause (whichever occurred first), assessed in all randomly assigned patients by intention to treat. Overall survival, defined as time from the date of randomisation to the date of death from any cause, was a secondary endpoint analysed by intention to treat in all randomly assigned patients. Safety was assessed in all patients who adhered to the assigned regimen, which was defined by taking at least one tablet of mitotane in the mitotane group and no mitotane at all in the surveillance group. The ADIUVO trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00777244, and is now complete.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 23, 2008, and Dec 27, 2018, 45 patients were randomly assigned to mitotane and 46 to surveillance alone. Because the study was discontinued prematurely, 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival are reported instead of recurrence-free and overall survival as defined in the protocol. 5-year recurrence-free survival was 79% (95% CI 67-94) in the mitotane group and 75% (63-90) in the surveillance group (hazard ratio 0·74 [95% CI 0·30-1·85]). Two people in the mitotane group and five people in the surveillance group died, and 5-year overall survival was not significantly different (95% [95% CI 89-100] in the mitotane group and 86% [74-100] in the surveillance group). All 42 patients who received mitotane had adverse events, and eight (19%) discontinued treatment. There were no grade 4 adverse events or treatment-related deaths.

INTERPRETATION

Adjuvant mitotane might not be indicated in patients with low-grade, localised adrenocortical carcinoma considering the relatively good prognosis of these patients, and no significant improvement in recurrence-free survival and treatment-associated toxicity in the mitotane group. However, the study was discontinued prematurely due to slow recruitment and cannot rule out an efficacy of treatment.

FUNDING

AIFA, ENSAT Cancer Health F2-2010-259735 programme, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Cancer Research UK, and the French Ministry of Health.

Central Hypothyroidism is Frequent During Mitotane Therapy in Adrenocortical Cancer Patients: Prevalence and Timeline

CONTEXT

Central hypothyroidism was described previously in mitotane-treated patients but data on its prevalence and time of occurrence are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To better characterize thyroid hormone insufficiency in patients exposed to mitotane.

METHODS

We reviewed medical records of patients from 2 academic centers in Montreal (Canada) and Toulouse (France) with exposure to mitotane therapy for adrenocortical cancer between 1995 and 2020. We analyzed the thyroid function parameters during and after treatment.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 83 patients, 17 were excluded because of preexisting primary hypothyroidism or drug-induced hypothyroidism. During follow-up, 3/66 patients maintained a normal thyroid function and 63/66 developed central hypothyroidism. Among those 63 patients, 56 presented with an inappropriately normal or low TSH and 7 with a mildly elevated TSH. The onset of hypothyroidism was: <3 months in 33.3%, 3 to 6 months in 19.1%, 6 to 9 months in 14.3%, and 9 to 12 months in 9.5%. At least 14.3% of cases occurred after 12 months of exposure, and 6 patients had an undetermined time of occurrence. Over time, 27 patients stopped mitotane and partial (42.3%) or complete (23.1%) recovery from hypothyroidism was observed, mainly in the first 2 years after mitotane discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Mitotane therapy is frequently associated with new onset of central hypothyroidism with a prevalence of 95.5%. Most cases occurred in the first year of treatment. Partial or full recovery of thyroid function occurs in 65.4% of cases. This study supports the importance of systematic monitoring of TSH and free T4 levels during and following discontinuation of mitotane therapy.

Role of Adrenal Vein Sampling in Guiding Surgical Decision in Primary Aldosteronism

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is recommended for subtyping primary aldosteronism (PA) to identify lateralized or bilateral sources of aldosterone excess, allowing for better decision-making in regard to medical or surgical management on a case-by-case basis. To date, no consensus exists on protocols to be used during AVS, especially concerning sampling techniques, the timing of sampling, and whether or not to use adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation. Interpretation criteria for selectivity, lateralization, and contralateral suppression vary from one expert center to another, with some favoring strict cut-offs to others being more permissive. Clinical and biochemical post-operative outcomes can also be influenced by AVS criteria utilized to indicate surgical therapy.In this review, we reanalyze studies on AVS highlighting the recent pathological findings of frequent micronodular hyperplasia adjacent to a dominant aldosteronoma (APA) overlapping with bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) etiologies, as opposed to the less frequent unilateral single aldosteronoma. The variable expression of melanocortin type 2 receptors in the nodules and hyperplasia may explain the frequent discordance in lateralization ratios between unstimulated and ACTH- stimulated samples. We conclude that aldosterone values collected during simultaneous bilateral sampling, both at baseline and post-ACTH stimulation, are required to adequately evaluate selectivity, lateralization, and contralateral suppression during AVS, to better identify all patients with PA that can benefit from a surgical indication. Recommended cut-offs for each ratio are also presented.

Regional differences in stage distribution and rates of treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma across United States SEER registries

BACKGROUND

We tested for regional differences across United States (US) in rates of adrenalectomy, systemic therapy, and adrenalectomy and systemic therapy combination for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients. We hypothesized that no differences exist, especially after accounting for baseline patient and tumor characteristics.

METHODS

Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2018), 1275 ACC patients were identified. Distribution of patient age, tumor size, ENSAT (European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors) stages, and treatments were tabulated and graphically displayed, according to nine geographical registries, corresponding to the population of specific states, cities or macro areas of the US on which the data are based on. Multinomial models predicted treatment probability for each patient according to registries.

RESULTS

Patients count according to registries ranged from 62 to 509. Differences across registries existed for age (range 54-59 years; P=0.4), tumor size (8.5-11.0 cm; P=0.2), ENSAT stage (1-11% vs. 17-35% vs. 18-32% vs. 24-44%, in respectively ENSAT stage I, II, III, and IV), and treatment distribution (35-53% vs. 5-21% vs. 23-42%, in respectively adrenalectomy, systemic therapy, and adrenalectomy and systemic therapy combination; P=0.039). After adjustment for age, stage and year of diagnosis, clinically meaningful residual differences across registries remained for adrenalectomy (33-54%), systemic therapy (4-19%), and adrenalectomy and systemic therapy combination (20-38%). However, most variability originated from registries with smallest sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified important variability in ACC treatment according to SEER geographical registries, even after considering baseline patient and tumor characteristics. These findings may be indicative of differences in quality of care or expertise in ACC management.

African American vs Caucasian race/ethnicity in adrenocortical carcinoma patients

In some primaries, African American race/ethnicity predisposes to higher stage and worse survival. We tested for differences in cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and other-cause mortality (OCM) in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) according to African American vs Caucasian race/ethnicity. We hypothesized that African Americans present with higher tumor stage and grade, do not receive the same treatment, and experience worse oncological outcomes than Caucasians. Within Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we identified 1016 ACC patients: 123 (12.1%) African Americans vs 893 (87.9%) Caucasians. Propensity score matching (PSM) (age, sex, marital status, grade, T, N, and M stages, and treatment type), Poisson-smoothed cumulative incidence plots, and competing risk regression (CRR) were used. Compared to Caucasians, African Americans were more frequently unmarried (56.9% vs 35.5%, P < 0.001). No clinically meaningful or statistically significant differences were observed for age, grade, T, N, and M stages, as well as treatment type (all P > 0.05). After PSM (1:4), 123 African Americans and 492 Caucasians remained and were included in CRR analysis. In multivariable CRR models, CSM and OCM rates were not different between the two race/ethnicities (hazard ratio: 0.84, P = 0.3). In African Americans, 5-year CSM rates were 31.2% and 75.3% in European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENSAT) stages I-II and III-IV, respectively vs 32.9% and 75.4% in Caucasians. Overall 5-year OCM rates were 11.0% vs 10.1% in respectively African Americans and Caucasians. Unlike other primaries, in ACC, African American race/ethnicity is not associated with higher disease stage at initial diagnosis or worse survival.

Clinical consensus guideline on the management of phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma in patients harbouring germline SDHD pathogenic variants

Patients with germline SDHD pathogenic variants (encoding succinate dehydrogenase subunit D; ie, paraganglioma 1 syndrome) are predominantly affected by head and neck paragangliomas, which, in almost 20% of patients, might coexist with paragangliomas arising from other locations (eg, adrenal medulla, para-aortic, cardiac or thoracic, and pelvic). Given the higher risk of tumour multifocality and bilaterality for phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) because of SDHD pathogenic variants than for their sporadic and other genotypic counterparts, the management of patients with SDHD PPGLs is clinically complex in terms of imaging, treatment, and management options. Furthermore, locally aggressive disease can be discovered at a young age or late in the disease course, which presents challenges in balancing surgical intervention with various medical and radiotherapeutic approaches. The axiom-first, do no harm-should always be considered and an initial period of observation (ie, watchful waiting) is often appropriate to characterise tumour behaviour in patients with these pathogenic variants. These patients should be referred to specialised high-volume medical centres. This consensus guideline aims to help physicians with the clinical decision-making process when caring for patients with SDHD PPGLs.

Contemporary conditional cancer-specific survival rates in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma patients: A stage-specific analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We examined the effect of disease-free interval (DFI) duration on cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival, otherwise known as the effect of conditional survival, in surgically treated adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) patients.

METHODS

Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2018), 867 ACC patients treated with adrenalectomy were identified. Conditional survival estimates at 5-years were assessed based on DFI duration and according to stage at presentation. Separate Cox regression models were fitted at baseline and according to DFI.

RESULTS

Overall, 406 (47%), 285 (33%), and 176 (20%) patients were stage I-II, III and IV, respectively. In conditional survival analysis, providing a DFI of 24 months, 5-year CSM-free survival at initial diagnosis increased from 66% to 80% in stage I-II, from 35% to 66% in stage III, and from 14% to 36% in stage IV. In multivariable Cox regression models, stage III (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.38; p < 0.001) and IV (HR: 4.67; p < 0.001) independently predicted higher CSM, relative to stage I-II. The magnitude of this effect decreased over time, providing increasing DFI duration.

CONCLUSIONS

In surgically treated ACC, survival probabilities increase with longer DFI duration. This improvement is more pronounced in stage III, followed by stages IV and I-II patients, in that order. Survival estimates accounting for DFI may prove valuable in patients counseling.

Endogenous Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy

Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is rare during pregnancy, probably because hypercortisolism induces anovulation and infertility. To date, slightly above 200 cases have been reported in the literature. The most frequent etiology of CS diagnosed during gestation is from primary adrenal causes, namely adrenal adenomas and an entity called pregnancy-induced CS. The latter can be secondary to the aberrant adrenal expression of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) in the adrenal lesions. Diagnosis of CS during pregnancy is extremely challenging, as a consequence of the physiologic hypercortisolism normally present during pregnancy. Assessment of excess cortisol production tests should be interpreted cautiously using adapted upper limits of normal criteria for pregnant patients and a high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis. Imaging is also limited due to high risk of radiation exposure with computed tomography and teratogenicity with contrast agents. The optimal treatment strategy is surgical resection of adrenal adenoma or pituitary adenoma, ideally before 24 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of maternal and fetal complications. In mild cases, surgery can be postponed until after delivery and treatment should focus on controlling metabolic complications of hypercortisolism, such as hypertension and dysglycemia. Maternal and fetal outcomes of excess cortisol exposure, except fetal loss, are not readily improved by successful treatment of hypercortisolism.

University of Montreal's Clinician-Investigator Program: A 10-Year Descriptive Evaluation

PURPOSE

Clinician-investigators have an important role in the development and implantation of new therapies and treatment modalities; however, there have been several reports highlighting a pending shortage in the clinician-investigators' workforce. In Canada, the Royal College has promoted the development of clinician-investigators programs (CIP) to facilitate the training of these individuals. There is currently a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of such programs. This study aims to identify the strengths and areas of improvement of the Montreal University CIP.  Methods: An internet-based 51-question survey was distributed to all the alumni from the University of Montreal CIP. Participation was voluntary and no incentives were provided. The response rate was 64%.  Results: Among respondents, 50% (n=16) had completed their clinical residency and all CIP requirements. The majority of these individuals (63%) had become independent investigators and had secured provincial and national funding. Satisfaction of the respondents was high regarding the overall program (85%), the research skills developed during the CIP (84%) and the financial support obtained during the program (72%). The satisfaction rate regarding career planning was lower (63%).  Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that, while indicators are favorable, some areas still require improvement. Several steps to improve the CIP have been identified; notably, the transition from the CIP to early independent career has been identified as critical in the development of clinician-investigators and steps have been taken to improve this progression.

Clinical, pathophysiologic, genetic and therapeutic progress in Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia

Patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) usually present bilateral benign adrenocortical macronodules at imaging and variable levels of cortisol excess. PBMAH is a rare cause of primary overt Cushing's syndrome, but may represent up to one third of bilateral adrenal incidentalomas with evidence of cortisol excess. The increased steroidogenesis in PBMAH is often regulated by various G-protein coupled receptors aberrantly expressed in PBMAH tissues; some receptor ligands are ectopically produced in PBMAH tissues creating aberrant autocrine/paracrine regulation of steroidogenesis. The bilateral nature of PBMAH and familial aggregation, led to the identification of germline heterozygous inactivating mutations of the ARMC5 gene, in 20-25% of the apparent sporadic cases and more frequently in familial cases; ARMC5 mutations/pathogenic variants can be associated with meningiomas. More recently, combined germline mutations/pathogenic variants and somatic events inactivating the KDM1A gene were specifically identified in patients affected by GIP-dependent PBMAH. Functional studies demonstrated that inactivation of KDM1A leads to GIP-receptor (GIPR) overexpression and over or down-regulation of other GPCRs. Genetic analysis is now available for early detection of family members of index cases with PBMAH carrying identified germline pathogenic variants. Detailed biochemical, imaging, and co-morbidities assessment of the nature and severity of PBMAH is essential for its management. Treatment is reserved for patients with overt or mild cortisol/aldosterone or other steroid excesses taking in account co-morbidities. It previously relied on bilateral adrenalectomy; however recent studies tend to favor unilateral adrenalectomy, or less frequently, medical treatment with cortisol synthesis inhibitors or specific blockers of aberrant GPCR.

Genetic Dissection of Primary Aldosteronism in a Patient With MEN1 and Ipsilateral Adrenocortical Carcinoma and Adenoma

BACKGROUND

Adrenal tumors are found in up to 40% of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). However, adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) and primary aldosteronism (PA) are rare in MEN1.

CASE

A 48-year-old woman known to have primary hyperparathyroidism and hypertension with hypokalemia was referred for a right complex 8-cm adrenal mass with a 38.1 SUVmax uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT. PA was confirmed by saline suppression test (aldosterone 1948 pmol/L-1675 pmol/L; normal range [N]: <165 post saline infusion) and suppressed renin levels (<5 ng/L; N: 5-20). Catecholamines, androgens, 24-hour urinary cortisol, and pituitary panel were normal. A right open adrenalectomy revealed a concomitant 4-cm oncocytic ACC and a 2.3-cm adrenocortical adenoma. Immunohistochemistry showed high expression of aldosterone synthase protein in the adenoma but not in the ACC, supporting excess aldosterone production by the adenoma.

GENETIC ANALYSIS

After genetic counseling, the patient underwent genetic analysis of leucocyte and tumoral DNA. Sequencing of MEN1 revealed a heterozygous germline pathogenic variant in MEN1 (c.1556delC, p.Pro519Leufs*40). The wild-type MEN1 allele was lost in the tumoral DNA of both the resected adenoma and carcinoma. Sequencing analysis of driver genes in PA revealed a somatic pathogenic variant in exon 2 of the KCNJ5 gene (c.451G>A, p.Gly151Arg) only in the aldosteronoma.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, we describe the first case of adrenal collision tumors in a patient carrying a germline pathogenic variant of the MEN1 gene associated with MEN1 loss of heterozygosity in both oncocytic ACC and adenoma and a somatic KCNJ5 pathogenic variant leading to aldosterone-producing adenoma. This case gives new insights on adrenal tumorigenesis in MEN1 patients.

LBODP024 Successful Adrenal Vein Sampling Using Dexamethasone Premedication In Patients With Iodine Contrast Media Allergy

Background

Preparation of patients with iodine contrast media (ICM) allergy who require adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to establish source of aldosterone excess in confirmed primary aldosteronism (PA) is controversial. Usual premedication with high dose prednisone can interfere with cortisol determinations, possibly altering the aldosterone-to-cortisol ratios for the identification of lateralized aldosterone excess.

Objective

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of premedication with high dose dexamethasone to perform AVS in patients with ICM.

Methods

177 consecutive patients with confirmed PA who underwent bilateral simultaneous basal and post ACTH bolus AVS at our center between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed for reported ICM allergy. A total of 7 patients (4%) with history of allergic reactions to ICM were premedicated with three doses of 7.5 mg dexamethasone rather than the usual 50 mg of prednisone.

Results

No breakthrough allergic reactions were reported in the 7 patients. The mean age at the time of AVS procedure was 55.1 ± 16.8 years. Patients had been hypertensive for a mean of 6.7 ± 5.9 years. The mean systolic blood pressure on the day of the procedure was 137.4 ± 4.2 mmHg and the mean diastolic blood pressure 77.1 ± 12.9 mmHg. Most patients had at least 2 anti-hypertensive medications in their drug regimen prior to AVS procedure, none being mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Dexamethasone suppression effect on AVS: All basal peripheral cortisol levels were suppressed, < 50 nmol/L, confirming lack of meaningful cortisol co-secretion. The basal and post-ACTH selectivity index were respectively >2 and > 5 bilaterally in all patients, confirming adequate cannulation of both adrenal veins. Basal peripheral plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was also reduced by dexamethasone administration by an average of 66 ± 30% in comparison with PAC measured before AVS. Despite basal suppression, PAC increased following ACTH bolus injection with an average rise of 698.8 ± 644.5% from baseline. AVS results: Four patients had lateralized (A/C ratio > 2 basally and >4 post ACTH), while three had bilateral source according to AVS results. Follow up data for a mean of 58 ± 41.4 months was available for 6 patients. In the three patients who underwent unilateraladrenalectomy for lateralized source, basal and post-ACTH lateralization ratios were concordant. All 3 patients had contralateral suppression, confirmed adrenocortical adenoma at histopathology and clinical (n=3) (normal blood pressure without medication) and/or biochemical cure (n=2) (direct renin concentration > 10 ng/dL) at follow up.

Conclusion

AVS using dexamethasone premedication is safe and accurate for diagnosing source of aldosterone excess in patients with PA and ICM allergy.

Presentation: No date and time listed

RF21 | PSUN07 Germline Genetic Testing in a Cohort of Adults with Adrenocortical Carcinoma : Insights From a Clinical Care Setting

Context

About 5-10% of adrenocortical cancer (ACC) arise in patients with genetic predisposition syndromes, including Li-Fraumeni, Lynch, MEN1, or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (APC). Recent European (2018) and American guidelines (2020) recommend that all adults with ACC should be offered clinical genetic counseling. There is a paucity of data regarding systematic germline testing in adults with ACC and the extent of the genetic evaluation is unclear.

Objective

To describe the germline genetic characteristics in a cohort of adult patients with ACC evaluated in a tertiary clinical care center.

Methods

Data including demographics, personal and family history of neoplasia, pathology reports, clinical features and genetic testing were retrospectively collected from charts of patients treated at Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). After genetic counseling, genetic testing was proposed to patients with a pathologic diagnosis of ACC. From 2005 to 2015, TP53 gene analysis was performed using direct sequencing and MLPA. Since 2016, multigene testing was performed for a progressively increasing number of oncogenic genes using a custom next-generation panel for germline leucocyte DNA including at least the TP53, MSH2, MSH6, MLH1,PMS2, EPCAM, MEN1, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (Invitae, CA). An extended panel, based on past medical and familial history, was performed at the discretion of the geneticist. Patient data was retrospectively investigated.

Results

We analyzed data from 44 patients with available germline genetic results. Median age of the patients was 46 years (ranging from 22 to 79 years), including 11 males (25.0%) and 33 females (75.0%). Ten patients (22.7%) underwent only TP53 gene analysis and 32 patients (72.7%) were studied using the larger oncogenic genetic panel.

Germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 5 of the 44 patients (11.4%) while genetic variants of unknown significance (VUS) were found in 7 of the 44 patients (15.9%). Among patients with pathogenic variants, one had a family history and known germline mutation in the BRCA2 gene (8765delAG, p.Glu2846GlyfsX23). One patient had a personal and familial medical history suggesting a MEN1 syndrome that was confirmed with the finding of a germline MEN1 mutation (c.1556delC, p.Pro519Leu fs40). Unsuspected germline pathogenic variants were found in three patients: 1) TP53 (c.425delC, p.Pro142fs), 2) MUTYH (c.536A&gt;G, p.Tyr179Cys) and 3) MSH6 (c.3649-3655, p.Arg1217Leu fs9) genes. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) were found in the following genes: POT1, MSH3, PALB2, RAD51d, APC, ATM and BRCA2.

Conclusions

Germline pathogenic variants were found in 11.4% of our cohort of patients with ACC. VUS were found in 15.9% of patients but their significance remains to be determined. Genetic counseling and germline genetic testing should be offered to all patients with ACC; however the optimal use and extent of oncogenic gene panels need to be better defined.

Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:48 p.m. - 12:53 p.m.

ODP051 Presymptomatic Genetic Screening Leading to the Diagnosis of Paraganglioma Associated with Duodenal and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours in a Carrier of a Pathogenic MAX Variant

Introduction

MAXpathogenic variants have been found to predispose to pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) and more recently to pituitary tumors 1.

Clinical Case

A 30 yo man presented to the emergency department for diplopia and high blood pressure (200/100mmHg). His workup showed elevated plasmatic normetanephrines (9. 01nmol/L; N <0.92) and a 3.7cm right adrenal mass with a density of 30HU. The patient underwent right laparoscopic adrenalectomy and the pathologist reported a 4.5cm pheochromocytoma with a PASS score of 4 and a Ki-67 of 2-4%. The patient was screened with a panel of 14 susceptibility genes for PPGLs (INVITAE, CA, USA) that revealed a pathogenic germline nonsense heterozygous MAX mutation (c.223C>Tp. Arg75*). This mutation was previously described in a family where four members suffered from bilateral PHEOs at a young age (28-35 yo) 2 . Following the identification of the pathogenic variant of MAX gene, the patient's father (61 yo) underwent genetic counselling and was found to carry the same germline mutation. His past medical history included long-standing hypertension with hypertensive cardiomyopathy and diabetes. His blood work showed a mildly elevated plasmatic normetanephrine (1.41nmol/L; N <1.2) with normal metanephrine. An abdominal CT-scan showed a 1.5cm precaval nodularity. On a complementary 18 F-FDG PET/CT, the precaval mass had a 3.5 SUVMax and a second mass was identified in the duodenum (D3) with an uptake of 4.9 SUVMax. The 68 GaDOTATE PET/CT confirmed the precaval (SUVMax36.3) and duodenal (SUVMax51.6) lesion and in addition, revealed a pancreatic mass (SUVMax9.3). The patient underwent a distal pancreatic, duodenal and precaval node resection. The pathology report showed a 1.7cm G1 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (Ki-67 <3%) and a 2.3cmG1 duodenal NET (Ki-67 <3%). The precaval node was a paraganglioma (PGL) with a preserved SDHB staining, negative cytokeratine 8/18 and a Ki-67 of 1.65%. The son had normal imaging of his pancreas. To our knowledge we report the second case of association of MAXmutation with gastrointestinal TNE.

Conclusion

This case presents the rare association of a familial MAX mutation presenting with a pheochromocytoma in the index case and a presymptomatic discovery of a PGL and multiple NETs in the father. This supports the hypothesis that MAXmutations might be associated with multiendocrinetumors 3. References: 1. Daly AF, Castermans E, et al. Pheochromocytomas and pituitary adenomas in three patients with MAX exon deletions. Endocr Relat Cancer. May 2018;25(5): L37-l42. doi: 10.1530/erc-18-00652. Comino-Méndez I, Gracia-Aznárez FJ, et al. Exome sequencing identifies MAX mutations as a cause of hereditary pheochromocytoma. Nat Genet. Jun 19 2011;43(7): 663-7. doi: 10.1038/ng.8613. Petignot S, Daly AF, et al. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm Associated with a Familial MAX Deletion. Horm Metab Res. Nov 2020;52(11): 784-787. doi: 10.1055/a-1186-0790

Presentation: No date and time listed

ODP583 Screening for Pheochromocytoma in a Cohort of Patients with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: New insights on Prevalence and Screening Tests Reliability Surrounding the Acute Cardiac Event

Background

According to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) diagnostic criteria, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) should be excluded as secondary causes. However, it is unclear whether PPGL screening in the setting of acute TCM is reliable. We aimed to assess the prevalence of PPGL and the reliability of PPGL screening in a cohort of patients with TCM. Method: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients admitted in a tertiary hospital between August 2012 and January 2021 with a diagnosis of TCM proven by typical echocardiography findings and no acute occlusion on coronarography, who were screened for PPGL by plasma metanephrines/normetanephrines (M/NM). If the first screening was positive, a second plasma M/NM sample was used for confirmation. Time between TCM diagnosis and PPGL screening was collected.

Results

Among 64 patients identified with TCM, 42 underwent plasma M/NM screening. 81. 0% were female, and the mean age was 67.4 ± 9.9 years old. Ten patients (23.8%) had a positive result. Of those, 8 patients had a weakly positive result (1-2×upper limit of normal [ULN]) and 2 had a strongly positive result (>2×ULN). Of those 10 patients, 6 underwent a second screening: 5 had a normal result and 1 had a weakly positive result (plasma NM 1. 06×ULN). This patient underwent a third screening that was negative. In addition, an abdominal CT showed normal adrenal glands, and their chromogranin A levels were normal. Four patients had a positive initial PPGL screening, but they did not undergo a second screening: 3 died of causes unrelated to TCM before a second plasma M/NM sample was taken and one patient was lost to follow-up (his plasma NM was weakly positive at 1.29×ULN). They all had an abdominal CT that showed normal adrenal glands. Average time between TCM diagnosis and PPGL screening in all patients and in patients with a positive initial screening was 4.57 ± 3.91 and 3.38 ± 2.12 days, respectively. A linear regression model suggested an inverse relationship between plasma M/NM and time between TCM diagnosis and screening, with R2 = 0.2275.

Conclusion

TCM occurring as the initial presentation of PPGL is rare. All patients with a positive screening ended up being false positives in our study. The ratio of false positive results when screening for PPGL in the setting of acute TCM seems to be higher than in the general population, which could be explained by a hyperadrenergic state. It is unclear whether a shorter delay between TCM diagnosis and PPGL screening may be associated with more false positives. More research is needed to determine what is the optimal timing for PPGL screening in acute TCM and if higher cut-offs should be used to minimize false positive results.

Presentation: No date and time listed

Successful Adrenal Vein Sampling Using Dexamethasone Premedication in Patients With Iodine Contrast Media Allergy

Context

Preparation of patients with iodine contrast media (ICM) allergy who require adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to establish source of aldosterone excess of their confirmed primary aldosteronism (PA) is controversial. Usual premedication with high-dose prednisone can interfere with cortisol determinations, possibly altering the aldosterone to cortisol ratios for the identification of lateralized aldosterone excess.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of premedication with high-dose dexamethasone to perform AVS in patients with ICM.

Methods

One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive patients with confirmed PA who underwent bilateral simultaneous basal and post-ACTH bolus AVS at our center between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed for history of ICM allergy. A total of 7 patients (4%) with previous allergic reactions to ICM were prepared with 3 doses of 7.5 mg dexamethasone premedication rather than the usual 50 mg of prednisone.

Results

No breakthrough allergic reactions were reported in the 7 patients. Despite adequate serum cortisol suppression following dexamethasone, the basal and post-ACTH selectivity index were respectively &gt; 2 and &gt; 5 bilaterally in all patients, confirming adequate cannulation of both adrenal veins. Four patients had lateralized ratios (A/C ratio &gt; 2 basally and &gt; 4 post-ACTH), while 3 had bilateral source during AVS study. In the 3 patients undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for lateralized source and contralateral suppression and adequate follow-up data, cure of PA was achieved at mean 58 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

AVS using dexamethasone premedication is safe and accurate for diagnosing the source of aldosterone excess in patients with PA and ICM allergy.

Postoperative Recurrences in Patients Operated for Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: New Data Supporting Lifelong Surveillance

Simple Summary

At least 10% of pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PPGLs) may recur after the initial surgery. The optimal follow-up time for these tumors remains unknown. We present a cohort of recurrent PPGLs in a clinical care setting of a quaternary center. In this paper, we describe recurrence patterns based on tumor location (head and neck paragangliomas, thoracoabdominal paragangliomas, and pheochromocytomas). We report that the overall mean delay of recurrence was 9.7 years and that one-third of the cohort had a recurrence more than 10 years after the initial surgery. Additionally, 17.6% of recurrent PHEOs were smaller than the predicted cutoff for recurrence (5 cm). Finally, more than 50% of recurrent PPGLs harbored a germline mutation in a susceptibility gene. In sum, this paper supports that overall, the safest option remains a lifelong follow-up.

Abstract

At least 10% of pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) (PPGLs) may recur after the initial surgery. Guidelines recommend annual screening for recurrence in non-metastatic tumors for at least 10 years after the initial surgical resection and lifelong screening in high-risk patients. However, recent data suggest that a shorter follow-up might be appropriate. We performed a retrospective analysis on patients with PPGLs who had local and/or metastatic recurrences between 1995 and 2020 in our center. Data were available for 39 cases of recurrence (69.2% female) including 20 PHEOs (51.3%) and 19 PGLs (48.7%) (13 head and neck (HNPGL) and 6 thoracoabdominal (TAPGL)). The overall average delay of recurrence was 116.6 months (14–584 months) or 9.7 years and the median was 71 months or 5.9 years. One-third of the cohort had a recurrence more than 10 years after the initial surgery (10–48.7 years). The average tumor size at initial diagnosis was 8.2 cm for PHEOs, 2.7 cm for HNPGLs, and 9.6 cm for TAPGLs. Interestingly, 17.6% of PHEOs were under 5 cm at the initial diagnosis. Metastatic recurrence was identified in 75% of PHEOs, 15.4% of HNPGLs, and 66.7% of TAPGLs. Finally, 12/23 (52.2%) patients with recurrence who underwent genetic testing carried a germline mutation. Overall, the safest option remains a lifelong follow-up.

ARMC5 is part of an RPB1-specific ubiquitin ligase implicated in adrenal hyperplasia

ARMC5 is implicated in several pathological conditions, but its function remains unknown. We have previously identified CUL3 and RPB1 (the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) as potential ARMC5-interacting proteins. Here, we show that ARMC5, CUL3 and RBX1 form an active E3 ligase complex specific for RPB1. ARMC5, CUL3, and RBX1 formed an active E3 specific for RPB1. Armc5 deletion caused a significant reduction in RPB1 ubiquitination and an increase in an accumulation of RPB1, and hence an enlarged Pol II pool in normal tissues and organs. The compromised RPB1 degradation did not cause generalized Pol II stalling nor depressed transcription in the adrenal glands but did result in dysregulation of a subset of genes, with most upregulated. We found RPB1 to be highly expressed in the adrenal nodules from patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) harboring germline ARMC5 mutations. Mutant ARMC5 had altered binding with RPB1. In summary, we discovered that wildtype ARMC5 was part of a novel RPB1-specific E3. ARMC5 mutations resulted in an enlarged Pol II pool, which dysregulated a subset of effector genes. Such an enlarged Pol II pool and gene dysregulation was correlated to adrenal hyperplasia in humans and KO mice.

Genetic spectrum in a Canadian cohort of apparently sporadic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas: New data on multigene panel retesting over time

OBJECTIVE

Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs), collectively known as PPGLs, are tumours with high heritability. The prevalence of germline mutations in apparently sporadic PPGLs varies depending on the study population. The objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of germline mutations in a cohort of patients with apparently sporadic PPGLs over time.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective review of patients with apparently sporadic PPGLs who underwent genetic testing at our referral centre from 2005 to 2020.

PATIENTS

We included patients with apparently sporadic PPGLs who underwent genetic testing at our referral center.

MEASUREMENTS

Genetic analysis included sequential gene sequencing by Sanger method or next generation sequencing (NGS) with a multigene panel.

RESULTS

The prevalence of germline mutations was 26.2% (43/164); 40.0% (30/75) in PGLs and 14.6% (13/89) in PHEOs. We identified four novel pathogenic variants (two SDHB and two SDHD). Patients carrying germline mutations were younger (38.7 vs. 49.7 years old) than patients with no identified germline mutations. From 2015 to 2020, we performed NGS with a multigene panel on 12 patients for whom the initial genetic analysis was negative. Germline mutations in previously untested genes were found in four (33.3%) of these patients (two MAX and two SDHA), representing 9.3% (4/43) of the mutation carriers.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of germline mutations in our cohort of patients with apparently sporadic PPGLs was 26.2%. Genetic re-evaluation over time using multigene sequencing by NGS assay in a subgroup of patients leads to an increase in the detection of mutations.

Cytoreductive Surgery of the Primary Tumor in Metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Impact on Patients' Survival

CONTEXT

The role of cytoreduction of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of cytoreductive surgery of the primary tumor in patients with metastatic ACC.

DESIGN AND SETTING

We performed a multicentric, retrospective paired cohort study comparing the overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic ACC who were treated either with cytoreductive surgery (CR group) or without cytoreductive surgery (no-CR group) of the primary tumor. Data were retrieved from 9 referral centers in the American-Australian-Asian Adrenal Alliance collaborative research group.

PATIENTS

Patients aged ≥18 years with metastatic ACC at initial presentation who were treated between January 1, 1995, and May 31, 2019.

INTERVENTION

Performance (or not) of cytoreductive surgery of the primary tumor.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

A propensity score match was done using age and the number of organs with metastasis (≤2 or >2). The main outcome was OS, determined from the date of diagnosis until death or until last follow-up for living patients.

RESULTS

Of 339 patients pooled, 239 were paired and included: 128 in the CR group and 111 in the no-CR group. The mean follow-up was 67 months. Patients in the no-CR group had greater risk of death than did patients in the CR group (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.18; 95% CI, 2.34-4.32). Independent predictors of survival included age (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03), hormone excess (HR = 2.56; 95% CI, 1.66-3.92), and local metastasis therapy (HR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.47-0.65).

CONCLUSION

Cytoreductive surgery of the primary tumor in patients with metastatic ACC is associated with prolonged survival.

First randomized trial on adjuvant mitotane in adrenocortical carcinoma patients: The Adjuvo study

1

Background: The ESE-ENSAT guidelines on ACC management suggest adjuvant mitotane for patients at high risk of recurrence. This indication has limited evidence base, lacking results from randomized controlled trials. No suggestion for or against adjuvant mitotane in low-risk patients was given, since studies did not stratify patients for prognosis. The randomized controlled study ADIUVO compared the efficacy of adjuvant mitotane treatment vs. observation in prolonging recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients at low-intermediate risk of recurrence. Methods: The main inclusion criteria were: stage I-III ACC, R0 surgery, and Ki-67 ≤10%. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to adjuvant mitotane or observation. The primary endpoint of the study was RFS. Patients who refused randomization were eligible for the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL study. In this prospective, observational study, patients were managed as in ADIUVO except for randomization. A total of 91 patients were enrolled in ADIUVO, 45 in the mitotane and 46 in the observation arm. Baseline characteristics of patients were perfectly matched between the 2 arms: median age, 51 vs. 50.5 years; female, 73% vs. 67%; stage I, 20% vs. 26%; stage II, 67% vs. 63%, stage III, 13% vs. 11%; ACC secretion 44% vs. 36%; Weiss 5 vs. 5; respectively. In ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL, 42 patients were treated with mitotane and 53 were untreated. Baseline characteristics of patients were matched between the 2 groups and with mitotane and observation groups in ADIUVO. Thus, the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL cohort was analyzed in parallel to deal with the lower than expected recruitment in ADIUVO. Results: In the ADIUVO study, recurrences were 8 in the MIT and 11 in the OBS arm, while deaths were 2 and 5, respectively. RFS and overall survival (OS) did not significantly differ between the 2 arms. In the OBS arm, the HR for recurrence was 1.321 (95%CI, 0.55-3.32, p = 0.54) and HR for death 2.171 (95%CI, 0.52-12.12, p = 0.29). The survival analysis in the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL study confirmed that of ADIUVO. Given the outcome of both studies, the NNT is 55. Conclusions: ACC patients at low-intermediate risk of recurrence after surgery are a minority; however, they show a far better prognosis than expected (5-yr RFS is 75%) and do not benefit significantly from adjuvant mitotane. The results of the ADIUVO study do not support routine use of adjuvant mitotane in this subset of patients, who may thus avoid a potentially toxic treatment. This is an important step toward personalization of ACC care. Clinical trial information: NCT00777244.

Characterization of hyperlipidemia secondary to mitotane in adrenocortical carcinoma

Background

This study examined the magnitude of changes and the time required to observe maximal changes in LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides (Tg) and non-HDL-c after the introduction of mitotane.

Methods

Retrospective study of 45 patients with adrenocortical carcinoma who were treated at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal. Clinical and biochemical data were collected, including lipid profiles before and during the first year of treatment with mitotane.

Results

Among the 45 studied patients, 26 (58%) had a complete lipid profile before the introduction of mitotane and at least 1 lipid profile during the first year of treatment, and 19 patients (42%) had a lipid profile following initiation of the treatment. Among the 26 patients who had lipid profiles before and after the introduction of mitotane, the increase of LDL-c was 2.19 mmol/L (76%) (P< 0.0001), HDL-c was 0.54 mmol/L (35%) (P= 0.0002), Tg was 1.80 mmol/L (129%) (P< 0.0001) and non-HDL-c was 2.73 mmol/L (79%) (P< 0.0001). Between the first and the sixth month of mitotane treatment, peak values (n  = 45) of LDL-c and non-HDL-c were reached in 42 patients (93%) and 37 patients (82%), respectively, whereas peak values of HDL-c were reached after 6 months of mitotane treatment in 29 patients (66%). The peak value of Tg was almost equal throughout the first year. The mean peak values of HDL-c, Tg and non-HDL-c showed significant associations with their respective mitotane concentrations (β = 0.352, P= 0.03; β = 0.406, P= 0.02 and β = 0.339, P= 0.05).

Conclusion

The introduction of mitotane produces a clinically significant elevation of lipid parameters (LDL-c, HDL-c, Tg and non-HDL-c) during the first year of treatment.

Loss of KDM1A in GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome: a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study

BACKGROUND

GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome is caused by aberrant expression of the GIP receptor in adrenal lesions. The bilateral nature of this disease suggests germline genetic predisposition. We aimed to identify the genetic driver event responsible for GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome.

METHODS

We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, cohort study at endocrine hospitals and university hospitals in France, Canada, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands. We collected blood and adrenal samples from patients who had undergone unilateral or bilateral adrenalectomy for GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome. Adrenal samples from patients with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia who had undergone an adrenalectomy for overt or mild Cushing's syndrome without evidence of food-dependent cortisol production and those with GIP-dependent unilateral adrenocortical adenomas were used as control groups. We performed whole genome, whole exome, and targeted next generation sequencing, and copy number analyses of blood and adrenal DNA from patients with familial or sporadic disease. We performed RNA sequencing on adrenal samples and functional analyses of the identified genetic defect in the human adrenocortical cell line H295R.

FINDINGS

17 patients with GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome were studied. The median age of patients was 43·3 (95% CI 38·8-47·8) years and most patients (15 [88%]) were women. We identified germline heterozygous pathogenic or most likely pathogenic variants in the KDM1A gene in all 17 patients. We also identified a recurrent deletion in the short p arm of chromosome 1 harboring the KDM1A locus in adrenal lesions of these patients. None of the 29 patients in the control groups had KDM1A germline or somatic alterations. Concomitant genetic inactivation of both KDM1A alleles resulted in loss of KDM1A expression in adrenal lesions. Global gene expression analysis showed GIP receptor upregulation with a log2 fold change of 7·99 (95% CI 7·34-8·66; p=4·4 × 10^-125), and differential regulation of several other G protein-coupled receptors in GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular hyperplasia samples compared with control samples. In vitro pharmacological inhibition and inactivation of KDM1A by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing resulted in an increase of GIP receptor transcripts and protein in human adrenocortical H295R cells.

INTERPRETATION

We propose that GIP-dependent primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia with Cushing's syndrome results from a two-hit inactivation of KDM1A, consistent with the tumour suppressor gene model of tumorigenesis. Genetic testing and counselling should be offered to these patients and their relatives.

FUNDING

Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Fondation du Grand défi Pierre Lavoie, and the French National Cancer Institute.

Latent Adrenal Insufficiency: From Concept to Diagnosis

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare disease and potentially fatal if unrecognized. It is characterized by destruction of the adrenal cortex, most frequently of autoimmune origin, resulting in glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, and adrenal androgen deficiencies. Initial signs and symptoms can be nonspecific, contributing to late diagnosis. Loss of zona glomerulosa function may precede zona fasciculata and reticularis deficiencies. Patients present with hallmark manifestations including fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, melanoderma, hypotension, salt craving, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or acute adrenal crisis. Diagnosis is established by unequivocally low morning serum cortisol/aldosterone and elevated ACTH and renin concentrations. A standard dose (250 µg) Cosyntropin stimulation test may be needed to confirm adrenal insufficiency (AI) in partial deficiencies. Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid substitution is the hallmark of treatment, alongside patient education regarding dose adjustments in periods of stress and prevention of acute adrenal crisis. Recent studies identified partial residual adrenocortical function in patients with AI and rare cases have recuperated normal hormonal function. Modulating therapies using rituximab or ACTH injections are in early stages of investigation hoping it could maintain glucocorticoid residual function and delay complete destruction of adrenal cortex.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Mimicking an Adrenal Incidentaloma: A Case Report

Background: The differential diagnosis of adrenal incidentalomas is broad and includes benign or malignant primary adrenal lesions, metastases, myelolipomas, infections or hemorrhage. We present here a patient with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) presenting as an adrenal incidentaloma. Clinical Case: A 64-year-old man was referred to Endocrinology for the work-up of a left adrenal incidentaloma discovered on an abdominal CT scan performed for left upper quadrant abdominal pain. His past medical history included well-controlled type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On subsequent imaging, the mass was described as a solid homogenous nodule with a density of 31 HU and an absolute contrast washout of 22%. Between 2017 and 2020, the mass’ size increased from 14 x 13 to 24 x 19 millimeters. Further functional imaging revealed no 131I-MIBG uptake but moderate hypermetabolism on FDG PET-CT with a SUVmax of 4.5. There was discordance regarding the mass’ localization between the various imaging modalities used preoperatively: some showed a left adrenal lesion whereas others suggested that it was adjacent to, but distinct from, the adrenal gland. Biochemical workup included normal 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test, serum potassium levels, 24-hour urine fractionated catecholamines, as well as plasma free metanephrines and normetanephrines. Chromogranin A levels were also normal. In light of these findings, laparoscopic tumor resection, with or without left adrenalectomy, was scheduled. During surgery, it was discovered that the tumor was intraperitoneal, located next to the splenic hilum and originating from the greater curvature of the stomach; a partial gastrectomy was therefore performed, without left adrenalectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed that the mass was a small spindle cell-type GIST. Genetic analysis of the tumoral DNA showed a somatic mutation in exon 11 of the KIT gene (c.1658_1669del, p.Tyr553_Gln556del). Conclusion: We report a rare case of gastric GIST initially mimicking a left adrenal incidentaloma. Localization of GISTs in the adrenal area is rare, with very few cases reported to date in the literature. Unlike other cases described previously, our patient underwent the right procedure thanks to adequate tumor localization during surgery. However, as some patients have experienced unnecessary adrenalectomy for similar clinical presentations, gastric GISTs should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of non-functional atypical adrenal masses, especially in the presence of suspicious PET scan imaging. References: 1. Hexi Du, Jun Zhou, Cheng Yang, Li Zhang, Chaozhao Liang: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor masquerading as an adrenal tumor: a case report with literature review. Int J Clin Exp Med 2017;10(10):14883-14887.

Results of the ADIUVO Study, the First Randomized Trial on Adjuvant Mitotane in Adrenocortical Carcinoma Patients

Background: The ESE-ENSAT guidelines on the management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) suggest adjuvant mitotane for patients at high risk of recurrence following radical surgery. This indication has a limited evidence base, lacking results from randomized controlled trials. No suggestion for or against adjuvant mitotane in low-risk patients was given, since studies did not stratify patients for prognosis. The randomized controlled study ADIUVO compared the efficacy of adjuvant mitotane treatment vs. observation in prolonging recurrence-free survival (RFS) in ACC patients at low-intermediate risk of recurrence.

Methods: The main inclusion criteria were: stage I-III ACC, R0 surgery, and Ki-67 ≤10%. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to adjuvant mitotane (MIT) or observation (OBS). The primary endpoint of the study was RFS. Patients who refused randomization were offered inclusion in the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL study. In this prospective, observational study, patients were managed as in the ADIUVO study. A total of 91 patients were enrolled in ADIUVO, 45 in the MIT and 46 in the OBS arm. Baseline characteristics of patients were perfectly matched between the 2 arms: median age, 51 vs. 50.5 years; female, 73% vs. 67%; stage I, 20% vs. 26%; stage II, 67% vs. 63%, stage III, 13% vs. 11%; ACC secretion 44% vs. 36%; Weiss 5 vs. 5; respectively. In ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL, 42 patients were treated with mitotane and 53 were untreated. Baseline characteristics of patients were matched between the 2 groups and with MIT and OBS groups in ADIUVO. Thus, the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL cohorts could be analyzed in parallel to those of ADIUVO.

Results: In the ADIUVO study, recurrences were 8 in the MIT and 11 in the OBS arm, while deaths were 2 and 5, respectively. RFS and overall survival (OS) did not significantly differ between the 2 arms. Tumor size was a predictor of RFS in multivariable analysis. In the OBS arm, the HR for recurrence was 1.321 (95%CI, 0.55–3.32, p=0.54) and HR for death 2.171 (95%CI, 0.52–12.12, p=0.29). The survival analysis in the ADIUVO OBSERVATIONAL study confirmed the findings of ADIUVO. Given the outcome of both studies, the NNT is 55.

Conclusions: ACC patients at low-intermediate risk of recurrence after surgery are a minority; however, they show a far better prognosis than expected (5-year RFS is about 75%) and do not benefit significantly from adjuvant mitotane. The results of the ADIUVO study do not support routine use of adjuvant mitotane in this subset of patients, who may thus avoid a potentially toxic treatment. This is an important step toward personalization of ACC care.

Chromogranin A in a Cohort of Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: Usefulness at Diagnosis and as an Early Biomarker of Recurrence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of chromogranin A (CgA) in the management of patients with pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 132 patients with confirmed PHEOs/PGLs (PPGLs) followed at our medical center. CgA was measured in 80 patients at diagnosis. The exclusion criteria removed 19 of these patients. Five patients with relapses were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Our cohort of 61 patients included 34 PHEOs, 14 head and neck PGLs, and 13 thoracoabdominal PGLs. CgA levels were elevated in 53 of 61 patients (86.9%) at diagnosis: 33 of 34 (97.1%) PHEOs, 9 of 14 (64.3%) head and neck paragangliomas, and 11 of 13 (84.6%) thoracoabdominal paragangliomas. For 8 of 13 (61.5%) nonfunctional PPGLs (5 head and neck paragangliomas and 3 thoracoabdominal paragangliomas), increased CgA levels showed potential as a tumor marker during follow-up. Of 10 patients with malignant PPGLs, only 1 had normal CgA levels (10.0%). Among 54 patients with PPGLs who underwent genetic testing, elevated CgA levels were positive in 73.7% of patients carrying a germline genetic variant (pathogenic and of unknown significance) versus 91.4% of patients without a known germline variant. We also report 5 PPGL cases with increased CgA levels as the first detectable marker of tumoral recurrence or progression preceding other biochemical markers or imaging.

CONCLUSION

CgA is a sensitive marker for the diagnosis of PHEO (97.1%) and thoracoabdominal paraganglioma (84.6%). CgA may be useful in the follow-up of nonfunctional PGLs and may also play a complementary role in the early detection of recurrence in secreting PPGLs.

ENSAT registry-based randomized clinical trials for adrenocortical carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an orphan disease lacking effective systemic treatment options. The low incidence of the disease and high cost of clinical trials are major obstacles in the search for improved treatment strategies. As a novel approach, registry-based clinical trials have been introduced in clinical research, so allowing for significant cost reduction, but without compromising scientific benefit. Herein, we describe how the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) could transform its current registry into one fit for a clinical trial infrastructure. The rationale to perform randomized registry-based trials in ACC is outlined including an analysis of relevant limitations and challenges. We summarize a survey on this concept among ENSAT members who expressed a strong interest in the concept and rated its scientific potential as high. Legal aspects, including ethical approval of registry-based randomization were identified as potential obstacles. Finally, we describe three potential randomized registry-based clinical trials in an adjuvant setting and for advanced disease with a high potential to be executed within the framework of an advanced ENSAT registry. Thus we, therefore, provide the basis for future registry-based trials for ACC patients. This could ultimately provide proof-of-principle of how to perform more effective randomized trials for an orphan disease.

Adrenocortical cancer recurrence following initial transcutaneous biopsy: a rare demonstration of needle tract seeding

Summary

Needle tract seeding is a potential, albeit rare, complication following transcutaneous biopsies, leading to the seeding of tumor cells along the path of the needle. Biopsies of adrenal masses are not routinely recommended and are only indicated, after exclusion of pheochromocytoma, when an adrenal metastasis of a primary extra-adrenal cancer is suspected or when pathological confirmation of inoperable adrenocortical cancer (ACC) may impact treatment. Despite guideline recommendations to avoid primary adrenal biopsy, very few needle tract seeding cases have been reported and none were in the context of an ACC. We report the occurrence of needle tract seeding in a patient following adrenal transcutaneous biopsy leading to ACC abdominal wall recurrence.

Learning points

Needle tract seeding is a rare complication of transcutaneous biopsy. It may increase morbidity and impact overall survival. It has yet to be documented in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).Adrenal masses can be accurately evaluated for malignancy using a combination of conventional and metabolic imaging, such as CT and fluorodeoxyglucose-PET, obviating the need for biopsies.Adrenal mass biopsy is not indicated in ACC unless advanced ACC is diagnosed, and a pathological confirmation would impact management.

Aldosterone is Aberrantly Regulated by Various Stimuli in a High Proportion of Patients with Primary Aldosteronism

CONTEXT

In primary aldosteronism (PA), aldosterone secretion is relatively independent of the renin-angiotensin system, but can be regulated by several other stimuli.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate aldosterone response to several stimuli in a series of patients with PA secondary either to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) or unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA).

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective cohort study conducted in a university teaching hospital research center.

PATIENTS

Forty-three patients with confirmed PA and subtyped by adrenal vein sampling (n = 39) were studied, including 11 with BAH, 28 with APA, and 4 with undefined etiology. We also studied 4 other patients with aldosterone and cortisol cosecretion.

INTERVENTIONS

We systematically explored aberrant regulation of aldosterone using an in vivo protocol that included the following stimulation tests performed over 3 days under dexamethasone suppression: upright posture, mixed meal, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) 1-24, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), vasopressin, and serotonin R4 agonist.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Positive response was defined as >50% renin or ACTH-independent increase in plasma aldosterone/cortisol concentration following the various stimulation tests.

RESULTS

Renin-independent aldosterone secretion increased in response to several aberrant stimuli (upright posture, GnRH) in up to 83% of patients with APA or BAH in whom ACTH 1-24 and HT4R agonists also produced aldosterone oversecretion in all patients. The mean significant aberrant responses per patient was similar in BAH (4.6) and in APA (4.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Aldosterone secretion in PA is relatively autonomous from the renin-angiotensin system, but is highly regulated by several other stimuli, which contributes to the large variability of aldosterone levels in PA patients.

Adrenal vein sampling: External validation of multinomial regression modelling and left adrenal vein-to-peripheral vein ratio to predict lateralization index without right adrenal vein sampling

BACKGROUND

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) failure is mainly due to right adrenal vein unavailability. Multinomial regression modelling (MRM) and left adrenal vein-to-peripheral vein ratio (LAV/PV) were proposed to predict the lateralization index without the right AVS.

OBJECTIVE

To assess external validity of MRM and LAV/PV to predict lateralization index when right adrenal vein sampling is missing.

DESIGN

Diagnostic retrospective study.

PATIENTS

Development and validation cohorts included AVS of 174 and 122 patients, respectively, from 2 different centres.

MEASUREMENTS

Development and validation cohort data were used, respectively, for calibration and for validation of MRM and LAV/PV to predict the lateralization index without the right adrenal vein sampling. Sensitivity and specificity of MRM and LAV/PV were compared between both centres at different pre-established specificity thresholds based on receiver operating characteristic curves generated from the development cohort data.

RESULTS

At a specificity threshold of 95% set in the development cohort, specificity values exceeded 90% (range, 90.6%-98.8%) for all verified MRM and LAV/PV models in the validation cohort. Corresponding sensitivities for MRM and LAV/PV, respectively, range from 54.1% to 83.7% and 32.8% to 88.4% for the development cohort compared to 33.3%-87.5% and 2.8%-79.2% for the validation cohort. Overall, diagnostic accuracy of both methods was higher to detect right (82.8%-93.5%) than left (70.2%-80.6%) lateralization index status in both centres.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal changes in specificity from development to validation cohorts validate the use of MRM and LAV/PV to predict the lateralization index when the right AVS is missing. Both methods had better accuracy for right than left lateralization detection.

Basal contralateral aldosterone suppression is rare in lateralized primary aldosteronism

CONTEXT

Unilateral aldosteronomas should suppress renin and contralateral aldosterone secretion. Complete aldosterone suppression in contralateral adrenal vein sample (AVS) could predict surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of basal contralateral suppression using Aldosterone (A)contralateral(CL)/Aperipheral(P) as compared to (A/Cortisol(C)CL)/(A/C)P ratio in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients studied in two Canadian centers. To determine the best cut-off to predict clinical and biochemical surgical cure. To compare the accuracy of ACL/AP to the basal and post-ACTH lateralization index (LI) in predicting surgical cure.

METHODS

In total, 330 patients with PA and successful AVS were included; 124 lateralizing patients underwent surgery. Clinical and biochemical cure at 3 and 12 months were evaluated using the PASO criteria.

RESULTS

Using ACL/AP and (A/C)CL/(A/C)P at the cut-off of 1, the prevalence of contralateral suppression was 6 and 45%, respectively. Using ROC curves, the ACL/AP ratio is associated with clinical cure at 3 and 12 months and biochemical cure at 12 months. (A/C)CL/(A/C)P is associated with biochemical cure only. The cut-offs for ACL/AP offering the best sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) for clinical and biochemical cures at 12 months are 2.15 (Se: 63% and Sp: 71%) and 6.15 (Se: 84% and Sp: 77%), respectively. Basal LI and post-ACTH LI are associated with clinical cure but only the post-ACTH LI is associated with biochemical cure.

CONCLUSIONS

In lateralized PA, basal contralateral suppression defined by ACL/AP is rare and incomplete compared to the (A/C)CL/(A/C)P ratio and is associated with clinical and biochemical postoperative outcome, but with modest accuracy.

Update on primary micronodular bilateral adrenocortical diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Primary micronodular bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasias (MiBAH) are rare challenging diseases. Important progress in understanding its pathophysiology and genetics occurred in the last two decades. We summarize those progress and recent data on investigation and therapy of MiBAH focusing on primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Larger recent cohorts of PPNAD patients from various countries have confirmed their variable Cushing's syndrome phenotypes. Age of onset is earlier than other ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome causes and the youngest case have now occurred at 15 months. Two retrospective studies identified an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures in PPNAD as compared with other Cushing's syndrome causes. The utility of 6-day oral dexamethasone test to produce a paradoxical increase of urinary-free cortisol in PPNAD was confirmed but the mean fold of increase was of 48%, less than previously suggested. Several new genetic variants of the PRKAR1A gene have been reported in PPNAD or Carney complex (CNC). Remission of Cushing's syndrome with unilateral adrenalectomy was reported in a few patients with PPNAD.

SUMMARY

MiBAH, PPNAD and CNC are rare challenging diseases, but with combined expert clinical and genetic approaches a comprehensive investigation and prevention strategy can be offered to affected patients and families.

MON-212 Genetic Spectrum Of A Canadian Cohort Of Sporadic Pheochromocytomas And Paragangliomas: Higher Prevalence Of Germline Mutations In PGL And NGS Assay With A Multigene Panel Increases The Mutation Rate

Background: Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) (PPGLs) are rare tumors with a high heritability. The prevalence of germline mutations in sporadic PPGLs varies depending of series.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and spectrum of germline mutations in our cohort of patients with apparently sporadic PPGLs.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with sporadic pathology-confirmed PPGLs who underwent genetic testing after genetic counselling at our Quaternary center from 2005–2019. Genetic analysis included sequential gene sequencing by Sanger method from 2005–2014 (n = 89) and a multigene sequencing by NGS with a panel (14 susceptibility genes for PPGLs) from 2015–2019 (n = 34). Some patients underwent both (n = 12).

Results: Among 230 patients that were treated for PPGLs from 2005- 2019, 135 patients underwent genetic testing (77 females; 58 males and 77.8% French Canadians). There were 60 PGLs (29 head and neck, 21 abdominal and 10 thoracic) and 75 PHEOs, 4 being bilateral. The prevalence of pathogenic germline mutations was 27.4% (37/135). Patients carrying a germline mutation were younger than patients with no mutations (40.7 yo (20 - 67) vs. 49.6 yo (11 - 80)) and had a higher prevalence of metastatic tumors (26.6% vs. 20.4%). The prevalence of germline mutations was 43.3% (26/60) in PGLs and 14.7% (11/75) in PHEOs. In the 26 mutated PGLs, there were 13 SDHC (50.0%), 6 SDHB (23.1%), 4 SDHD (15.4%), 2 SDHA (7.7%) and 1 FH (3.8%) mutations. The recurrent pathogenic SDHC c.397C>T (p.Arg133*) mutation was found in 12 out of the 13 SDHC mutations reflecting the presence of a funder effect in the French Canadian population. In the 11 mutated PHEOs, there were 3 MAX (27.3%), 3 VHL (27.3%), 2 RET (18.2%), 1 SDHB (9.1%), 1 NF1 (9.1%), 1 FH (9.1%) mutations.

From 2015- 2019, we proposed NGS assay with the multigene panel to 12 patients (9 PHEOS and 3 PGLs) for whom the initial genetic test was negative. Novel germline mutations were found in 4 (33.3%) of these patients, representing 10.8% (4/37) of the mutation-carriers. Mutations were found in 2/9 PHEOs; a 28 yo female with bilateral PHEOs (MAX (deletion exon 1 and 2)) and a 33 yo male with malignant PHEO (MAX (c.3G>A)), and in 2/3 PGLs; a 31 yo woman with metastatic abdominal PGL (SDHA (c.985C>T) and a 59 yo woman with a thoracic PGL (SDHA (c.1432_1432 + 1del).

Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) were identified in 7/60 PGLs (11.6%) and 5/75 PHEOs (6.7%) but the significance of these variants remains to be determined.

Conclusion: In our cohort, the prevalence of germline mutations was of 44.3% in apparently sporadic PGLs and 14.7% in PHEOs. Genetic re-evaluation overtime using multigene sequencing by NGS assay in a subgroup of patients led to an increase of mutation rate in PHEOs and PGLs with the identification of germline MAX and SDHA mutations.

MON-209 Identification of a New Heterozygous Germline ARMC5 Deletion in a Familial Case of Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia Co-Secreting Cortisol and Aldosterone

Context. Approximately 50% of familial cases of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) are caused by mutations in the ARMC5 gene.

Case report. We report the case of a 37 year-old patient of Haitian origin, who presented with resistant hypertension. His workup showed high aldosterone (410 pmol/L) with suppressed renin levels (0.2 ng/mL/h) with an aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) of 2050. Patient also had suppressed ACTH levels (<0.5 pmol/L (N: 2-12)) and high UFC (1103 nmol/d (N: <330)). He had an aberrant cortisol and aldosterone response to catecholamines and vasopressin (V₁R). An abdominal CT scan showed bilateral enlargement of adrenal glands and a 3.3cm dominant nodule on the right gland. Moreover, a 2.8cm mass on the pancreatic tail was present. Patient underwent left laparoscopic adrenalectomy and distal pancreatectomy; the pathology confirmed PBMAH and a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Following surgery, ARR and UFC remained high and patient was treated successfully with B-blockers and MR antagonists. A head MRI showed no sign of intracranial meningiomas.

Genetic analyses. Following genetic counselling, MEN1 gene analysis was performed using sequencing/MLPA techniques but did not reveal a mutation. Initial genetic testing included ARMC5 gene analysis using direct Sanger sequencing which was negative. However, using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and MLPA analysis, a heterozygous germline ARMC5 deletion of exons 5-8 was identified. The deletion is predicted to prematurely truncate the protein product and cause loss of function. The ARMC5 deletion segregated with the disease in his 24 yo son who had bilateral adrenal adenomas that appeared to be non-functional. The patient’s father was also known for having bilateral adrenal masses and hypertension.

To our knowledge we report the second case of ARMC5 deletion in familial PBMAH. Suzuki et al. reported two patients, a mother and her son, carrying ARMC5 deletion of exons1-5 and interestingly they were also affected by PBMAH co-secreting cortisol and aldosterone (1). As in this case report, the ARMC5 deletion was missed using Sanger sequencing initially.

Conclusion. These cases demonstrate that large deletions may be missed by Sanger sequencing and that the real prevalence of ARMC5 mutations may have been underestimated. The link between deletion of ARMC5 and correlation with PBMAH co-secreting aldosterone and cortisol remains to be determined but may be a step forward for genotype-phenotype correlation.

1.Suzuki S, et al. Endocrine practice: official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2015;21 (10):1152-60.

SAT-169 Adrenocortical Cancer Is Diagnosed at Large Size and Advanced Stage in a Canadian Referral Center; Focus on Modes of Presentation Depending on Stages

Context: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor with an incidence of 0.7-2 per million. Based on the ENSAT staging classification, tumor stage is the most important prognostic factor; the presence of lymph nodes involvement and metastases is an indicator of poor prognosis. Absence of any local or distant tumor invasion represents an early stage disease and is classified based on tumor size of <5 cm (stage I) or >5 cm (stage II). Advanced disease is confirmed if there is tumoral invasion, either locally in the surrounding tissues/nodes (stage III) or in other organs/vascular structures (stage IV).

Objective: To describe patient characteristics, staging and modes of presentation at initial diagnosis in our cohort of ACC patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed paper and electronic charts of patients with pathology-confirmed ACCs who were treated at our referral center from 1995 to May 2019.

Results: One hundred four patients were diagnosed with ACC: 28 were men (26.9%) and 76 (73.1%) were women and median age was 51 years. The overall modes of presentation were hormonal hypersecretion (40.4%), mass-related symptoms (36.5%), incidentalomas (17.3%) and unknown (1.9%). Hormonal profile was available for 71 tumors: 67,6 % were secreting [androgen and cortisol co-secretion (39.4%), cortisol only (28.2%)] and 18,3% were non-secreting. At initial diagnosis, sixty-four patients (61.5%) had tumors >10 cm including 32.7% between 10-14.9 cm (n:34), 19.2% were 15-20 cm (n:20) and 9.6% were >20cm (n:10). Initial ENSAT stages were I (6.7%), II (17.3%), III (28.8%) and IV (44.2%) and unknown (2,9%). The age repartition was similar for most patients (median ~50 yo) regardless of disease stage or tumor size except in the subgroup of very large tumors (>20 cm) for which the median age was 40 yo. The mode of presentation at initial diagnosis varied at various stages. Incidentaloma was a frequent mode of presentation of earlier ACC stages; Stage 1: 3/7 (42,9%), stage II: 7/18 (38,9%), stage III: 4/30 (13,3%) and stage IV: 4/46 (8,7%). Hormonal excess symptoms led to ACC diagnosis less frequently in early stages (stages I and II) (24%) than in later stages (stage III and IV) (47,3%), while the hormonal work up showed high prevalence of secreting tumors in both groups (58,8% and 88,7%). Mass-related initial symptoms were similar in both groups 36% vs 39%.

Conclusions: In our cohort, 61.5% of ACC tumors were larger than 10 cm at initial diagnosis. Seventy-three percent of ACC patients had an advanced ENSAT stage III or IV disease which is associated with a 5 years survival of less than 50%. Incidentalomas is a frequent mode of presentation in stages I and II, while clinical hormonal excess symptoms were more frequent in later stages III and IV. Early stage diagnosis presents a difficult challenge in ACC and new biomarkers are needed to improve the odds against this deadly cancer.

SAT-158 New Data on High Prevalence and Time of Occurrence of New Onset Hypothyroidism Associated with Mitotane Therapy in a Cohort of Adrenocortical Cancer

Context. Mitotane is a steroidogenesis inhibitor and an adrenocorticolytic drug used to treat adrenocortical cancer (ACC). Central hypothyroidism is recognized in mitotane-treated patients and recent data suggested that mitotane could have an inhibitory effect on TSH-secreting cells in the pituitary gland. Moreover, mitotane may lead to induction of thyroid hormone metabolism. Clinical data on hypothyroidism related to mitotane such as prevalence and time of occurrence was described in a limited number of patients.

Objective. To better characterize clinically secondary hypothyroidism in patients with ACC treated with mitotane therapy.

Methods. We reviewed retrospectively paper charts and electronic records from patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of ACC evaluated at our center from 1995-2019. We analysed the pattern of TSH and thyroid function, but also mitotane timing and levels at baseline and during treatment of patients under mitotane therapy. Thyroid hormone assessment including TSH, FT4 and FT3 was performed at least every 3 months during follow-up.

Results. Our cohort of 104 patients with ACC includes 84 patients that received mitotane therapy. Among them, thyroid function data was incomplete for 39 cases. Complete data was retrieved from 45 patients. Ten out of 45 (22.2%) patients were already known for primary hypothyroidism and were receiving L-T4 replacement before the initiation of mitotane. Two of 45 (4.4%) patients maintained a normal thyroid function during complete follow up (4.5 years) and 33/45 (73.3%) had new onset hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine treatment. Of these 33 patients, 22 were females and 11 were males, ranging from 22-74 yo with a median of 46 yo. The number of patients with ENSAT stage I, II, III and IV of disease were 1, 8, 11 and 13 respectively. Thyroid profiles were compatible with central hypothyroidism (low T4 with low or inappropriately normal TSH) in 22/33 patients (66.7%). Interestingly, 6/33 patients (18.2%) developed a TSH elevation with a normal lower-limit or low T4 level. The timeline distribution of the occurrence of hypothyroidism was 21.2% (n:7) at <3 months, 15.2% (n:5) between 3-6 months, 21.2% (n:7) between 6-9 months and 15.2% (n:5) between 9-12 months. 9.1% (n:3) occurred within the second year of treatment (between 12-24 months). However, in 5/33 (15.2%) cases, the exact time of new hypothyroidism onset was undetermined.

Conclusion. Mitotane therapy is frequently associated with new onset hypothyroidism with a prevalence of 73% in our cohort of exposed patients and is most likely of central etiology. 72.7% of cases occur in the first year of treatment while 9.1% occur in the second year. This study supports the importance of monitoring thyroid function (including a free T4 level) during the complete course of mitotane therapy.

SUN-LB96 Basal Contralateral Aldosterone Suppression Is Rare in Lateralized Primary Aldosteronism and Can Be Useful in Predicting Surgical Outcome

Background: Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is performed to distinguish between unilateral or bilateral source of aldosterone in primary aldosteronism (PA). Unilateral aldosteronomas should lead to suppression of renin and contralateral (CL) aldosterone secretion, assessed by the CL suppression ratio. We recently found that CL aldosterone suppression was relatively rare using the ratio of basal aldosterone concentration of the opposite adrenal vein/periphery (A_OPP/A_P) in contrast to the traditional cortisol-corrected aldosterone ratio ((A/C)_OPP(A/C)_P). Pathology studies showed frequent zona glomerulosa (ZG) hyperplasia adjacent to a dominant aldosteronoma, which could also indicate probable ZG hyperplasia in the CL adrenal. The ratio of basal CL suppression could be a usefull parameter to predict cure following unilateral adrenalectomy (UA), but controversy remains in the literature.

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the prevalence of basal CL suppression using the A_OPP/A_P ratio as compared to the (A/C)_OPP/(A/C)_P ratio at previously established cut-offs.

2. To determine the best cut-off to predict clinical and biochemical surgical cure in two Canadian referral centers.

3. To compare the accuracy of the A_OPP/A_P ratio to the basal lateralization ratio (LR) and the post-ACTH LR in predicting the surgical outcome.

Methods: 330 patients with PA and successful bilateral simultaneous basal and post-ACTH stimulated AVS (selectivity index >2 basally and >5 post-ACTH) were included; 124 patients found to be lateralized underwent UA. The follow-up data were evaluated for clinical and biochemical cure at 3 and 12 months using the PASO criteria.

Results: Using A_OPP/A_P and (A/C)_OPP/(A/C)_P at the cut-off of 1, the prevalence of CL suppression is 6% and 45%, respectively. The median CL suppression ratio is 2.3 (1.3-5.1) in lateralized cases of PA using A_OPP/A_P. Using ROC curves, the A_OPP/A_P ratio is associated with clinical cure at 3 and 12 months and biochemical cure at 12 months. (A/C)_OPP/(A/C)_P is associated with biochemical cure only. The cut-offs for A_OPP/A_P offering the best sensitivity and specificity for clinical and biochemical cures at 12 months are 2.15 (Se 63% and Sp 71%) and 6.15 (Se 84% and Sp 77%), respectively. Basal LR and post-ACTH LR are associated with clinical cure but only the post-ACTH LR is associated with biochemical cure.

Conclusions: Basal CL suppression defined by the A_OPP/A_P ratio is rare and incomplete compared to the traditional (A/C)_OPP/(A/C)_P ratio in lateralized cases of PA. This may reflect the frequent micronodular hyperplasia adjacent to dominant aldosteronomas and possibly in the CL adrenal. Basal CL aldosterone suppression may predict clinical postoperative outcome, but with modest accuracy.

Adrenocortical hyperplasia: A multifaceted disease

Adrenocortical hyperplasia may develop in different contexts. Primary adrenal hyperplasia may be secondary to primary bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (PBMAH) or micronodular bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (MiBAH) which may be divided in primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) and isolated micronodular adrenocortical disease (i-MAD). Both lead to oversecretion of cortisol and potentially to Cushing's syndrome. Moreover, adrenocortical hyperplasia may be secondary to longstanding ACTH stimulation in ACTH oversecretion as in Cushing's disease, ectopic ACTH secretion or glucocorticoid resistance syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia secondary to various enzymatic defects within the cortex. Finally, idiopathic bilateral adrenal hyperplasia is the most common cause of primary aldosteronism. We will discuss recent findings on the multifaceted forms of adrenocortical hyperplasia.

Small adrenal incidentaloma becoming an aggressive adrenocortical carcinoma in a patient carrying a germline APC variant

PURPOSE

Recent guidelines on adrenal incidentalomas suggested in patients with an indeterminate adrenal mass and no significant hormone excess that follow up with a repeat noncontrast CT or MRI after 6-12 months may be an option.

METHODS

We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with a 2.9 × 1.9 cm left adrenal incidentaloma that was stable in size for 4 years. Ten years later the left adrenal mass was a stage IV adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

RESULTS

In 2006, a 32-year-old French Canadian woman was referred to endocrinology for a left 2.9 × 1.9 cm incidentally discovered adrenal mass (31 HU). She had normal hormonal investigation. The patient was followed with adrenal imaging and hormonal investigation yearly for 4 years and the lesion stayed stable in size over the 4 years. Ten years later, in 2016, the patient presented with renal colic. Urological CT unexpectedly revealed that the left adrenal mass was now measuring 9 × 8.2 cm and 2 new hepatic lesions were found. Biochemical workup demonstrated hypercorticism and hyperandrogenemia: plasma cortisol after 1 mg overnight DST of 476 nmol/L and DHEA-S of 14.0 μmol/L (N 0.9-6.5). Twenty-four hour urine steroid profiling was consistent with an adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) co-secreting cortisol, androgens and glucocorticoid precursors. The diagnosis of ACC with hepatic ACC metastases was confirmed at histology. Following genetic analysis, germline heterozygous variant of uncertain significance (VUS) was identified in the exon 16 of the APC gene (c.2414G > A, p.Arg805Gln). Immunohistochemical staining's of the ACC was positive for IGF-2 and cytoplasmic/nuclear β-catenin staining.

CONCLUSIONS

This case illustrates that (1) small adrenal incidentaloma stable in size may evolve to ACC and (2) better genetic characterization of these patients may eventually give clues on this unusual evolution.

Use of peripheral plasma aldosterone concentration and response to ACTH during simultaneous bilateral adrenal veins sampling to predict the source of aldosterone secretion in primary aldosteronism

CONTEXT

Previous studies suggested that plasma aldosterone (PAC) response to ACTH stimulation could predict the subtypes of primary aldosteronism (PA) and avoid adrenal venous sampling (AVS).

OBJECTIVE

Assess the usefulness of peripheral (P) PAC response to ACTH stimulation during AVS to identify the source of aldosterone in patients with PA.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifteen patients were assigned to four different lateralization ratio (LR) groups based on different combinations of basal (≥ or <2) and post-ACTH LR (≥ or <4). The P vein parameters analysed included as follows: mean basal PAC, maximal PAC (PAC_max ), and PAC/C ratio (PAC_max /C), PAC absolute increase, PAC relative increase following ACTH bolus (250 mcg IV) and maximal variation of PAC/C ratio between post-ACTH and basal measures.

RESULTS

Mean basal PAC was significantly higher in group 1 (basal LR > 2 and post-ACTH > 4) than in group 2 (basal LR > 2, post-ACTH < 4) or group 4 (basal LR < 2 post-ACTH < 4) (P < .001). PAC_max , PAC_max /C and PAC absolute increase following ACTH were higher in group 1 than the others (P < .017). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis of groups 1 and 4, best AUC were obtained with mean basal PAC (AUC: 0.757 95% IC: 0.653-0.861), PAC_max (AUC: 0.753 95% IC: 0.646-0.860) and PAC_max /C (AUC: 0.750 95% IC: 0.646-0.853).

CONCLUSION

P mean basal PAC and PAC_max and PAC_max /C are higher in basal and ACTH lateralized PA than in other groups. Peripheral PAC cut-off values fail to adequately distinguish all groups and cannot replace the requirement to conduct AVS.

Germline mutations in the new E1' cryptic exon of the VHL gene in patients with tumours of von Hippel-Lindau disease spectrum or with paraganglioma

BACKGROUNDS

The incidence of germline mutations in the newly discovered cryptic exon (E1') of VHL gene in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and in patients with paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma (PPGL) is not currently known.

METHODS

We studied a large international multicentre cohort of 1167 patients with a previous negative genetic testing. Germline DNA from 75 patients with a single tumour of the VHL spectrum ('Single VHL tumour' cohort), 70 patients with multiple tumours of the VHL spectrum ('Multiple VHL tumours' cohort), 76 patients with a VHL disease as described in the literature ('VHL-like' cohort) and 946 patients with a PPGL were screened for E1' genetic variants.

RESULTS

Six different genetic variants in E1' were detected in 12 patients. Two were classified as pathogenic, 3 as variants of unknown significance and 1 as benign. The rs139622356 was found in seven unrelated patients but described in only 16 patients out of the 31 390 of the Genome Aggregation Database (p<0.0001) suggesting that this variant might be either a recurrent mutation or a modifier mutation conferring a risk for the development of tumours and cancers of the VHL spectrum.

CONCLUSIONS

VHL E1' cryptic exon mutations contribute to 1.32% (1/76) of 'VHL-like' cohort and to 0.11% (1/946) of PPGL cohort and should be screened in patients with clinical suspicion of VHL, and added to panels for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) diagnostic testing of hereditary PPGL. Our data highlight the importance of studying variants identified in deep intronic sequences, which would have been missed by examining only coding sequences of genes/exomes. These variants will likely be more frequently detected and studied with the upcoming implementation of whole-genome sequencing into clinical practice.