Vitamin D Controversies in the Laboratory Medicine: A Review of Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations

A narrative review of the main guidelines and recommendations published from 2011 up to date about the status of vitamin D deficiency has been carried out. The objective of this review is to discuss the origin of the controversy about the status of this entity, as well as the evolution of the methodological aspects and clinical situations that require vitamin D screening. The results obtained indicate that the criteria defining vitamin D status, according to two studies published in 2011, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations and the Endocrine Society (ES) guidelines, regardless the affected population. Concerning the methodology used, progress has been made thanks to the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP), although the most recent results from the external Vitamin D External Quality Program Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) indicate that there is still a significant bias among the different immunoassays available. In relation to the criteria for screening, an agreement is observed in the most recent publications.

Cytokines and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Exploring Their Relationship with Molecular Subtypes and Prognosis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by its poor prognosis. The current challenge remains the absence of predictive biomarkers. Cytokines are crucial factors in the pathogenesis and prognosis of PDAC. Furthermore, there is growing interest in differentiating between molecular subtypes of PDAC. The aim of our study is to evaluate the association between the analyzed cytokines and the molecular subtypes of PDAC and to determine their prognostic value. Cytokine levels were measured in 73 patients, and molecular subtypes were analyzed in 34 of these patients. Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGF-β2) levels were independently associated with the basal-like and null subtypes. In patients with locally advanced and metastatic PDAC, elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, and IL-15 were associated with a higher risk of progression during first-line treatment, and increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, and IL-15 were related to increased mortality. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between higher percentiles of IL-6 and IL-8 and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) during first-line treatment, and between higher percentiles of IL-8 and shorter overall survival (OS). In the multivariate analysis, only elevated levels of IL-8 were independently associated with a higher risk of progression during first-line treatment and mortality. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that cytokine expression varies according to the molecular subtype of PDAC and that cytokines also play a relevant role in patient prognosis.