Tumor ZAC1 expression is associated with the response to somatostatin analog therapy in patients with acromegaly.

in International Journal of Cancer = Journal International du Cancer (2009), 125(9), 2122-6

Somatostatin analogs (SSA) with their potent antisecretory and antiproliferative effects are the main medical treatment option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors, such as gastroenteropancreatic and ... [more ▼]

Somatostatin analogs (SSA) with their potent antisecretory and antiproliferative effects are the main medical treatment option for patients with neuroendocrine tumors, such as gastroenteropancreatic and acromegaly-associated growth hormone secreting pituitary tumors. Although a good portion of acromegalic patients gets normalized after SSA treatment, strict hormonal control is not achieved in a sizeable proportion of these patients. The reasons for this incomplete response to SSA treatment are unclear. We have found that the tumor suppressor ZAC1 (LOT1/PLAGL1) is essential for the antiproliferative effect of SSA in pituitary tumor cells. The aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to determine whether ZAC1 immunoreactivity in archival somatotrophinoma tissue derived from 45 patients with acromegaly routinely pretreated with SSA before surgery, was associated with response to SSA (normalization of GH, IGF-I and presence of tumor shrinkage). All tumors displayed ZAC1 immunoreactivity [weak (+; n = 15), moderate (++; n = 16) and strong (+++; n = 14)]. A significant positive correlation was found between strong ZAC1 immunoreactivity and IGF-I normalization and presence of tumor shrinkage after SSA treatment, which was not affected by age at diagnosis, gender or duration of SSA treatment. These in vivo data combined with the antiproliferative properties of ZAC1/Zac1 provide evidence of a mechanistic role for this transcription factor on SSA induced tumor shrinkage and hormone normalization. [less ▲]

Characterization of prolatinomas resistant to dopaminergic agonists

in 18th Meeting of the Belgian Endocrine and Metabolic societies : Bruxelles, 25 octobre 2008 (2008, October)

Biometrology of physical properties of skin in thyroid dysfunction.

in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (2008), 22(10), 1173-1177

OBJECTIVE: There is ample clinical evidence that skin is responsive to physiopathological levels of circulating thyroid hormones. The aim of the study was to assess some physical changes of the skin in ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: There is ample clinical evidence that skin is responsive to physiopathological levels of circulating thyroid hormones. The aim of the study was to assess some physical changes of the skin in the presence of moderate thyroid dysfunction. SETTING: University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 119 adults suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and 60 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Hormonal dosages (TSH, fT3, fT4) were assessed in the serum. A series of biometrological assessments were also performed on the volar and dorsal aspects of the forearms. These included electrometric assessments (Nova Dermal Phase Meter, Corneometer), evaporimetry (Tewameter)), colorimetry (Mexameter), ultrasound shear wave propagation (Reviscometer) and squamometry X. Correlations were searched between each of the serum hormonal dosages and each of the biometrological parameters. RESULTS: The hormonal changes in the untreated patients with thyroid dysfunction were modest in intensity. A few outlier values with regard to the normal range were found for each biometrological parameter. No correlations were found between fT3 or fT4 and each of the physical parameters. By contrast, significant negative linear correlations were found between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and skin hydration measured by the Corneometer and the Nova DPM. CONCLUSION: This multipronged exploratory study shows that direct or indirect effects of TSH may influence the stratum corneum hydration. This correlation seemed very sensitive, as no other specific biophysical parameter was significantly correlated with the thyroid hormonal concentrations in the serum. However, our findings do not exclude the possibility of some other skin changes supervening in case of more severe thyroid dysfunction. The mechanism by which TSH alters the stratum corneum hydration is yet unknown. [less ▲]

Zac1 Immunoreactivity in Acromegalic Tumors is Associated with the Response to Somatostatin Analog 11 Treatment

in ENDO 2008: 90th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society - Abstract book (2008)

The Epidemiology of pituitary tumors : Results of an international collaborative study

in The Endocrine Society's - 89 Annual Meeting : Toronto, Canada, 2-5 june 2007 (2007, June)

Commentary on : Does the nadir growth-hormone level predict response to somatostatin-analogue therapy?

in Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology and Metabolism (2006), 2(1), 12-13

Les patients acromégales sont-il mal pris en charge? De la mauvaise utilisation des bases de données

in 23ème Congrès de la Société Française d'Endocrinologie - Abstract book (2006)

Pathologie inflammatoire de l'hypophyse et grossesse

in Pathologie hypophysaire et grossesse (2006)

Les affections hypophysaires, tumorales ou non tumorales, sont classiquement responsables d'infertilité. Grâce aux progrès des traitements médicaux et chirurgicaux développés pour le traitement de ces ... [more ▼]

Les affections hypophysaires, tumorales ou non tumorales, sont classiquement responsables d'infertilité. Grâce aux progrès des traitements médicaux et chirurgicaux développés pour le traitement de ces affections hypophysaires, les grossesses sont de plus en plus fréquentes chez les patientes ayant en particulier un adénome hypophysaire sécrétant ou une insuffisance anté-hypophysaire ou un diabète insipide central. Cependant, les conséquences de l'affection hypophysaire et des traitements pour la mère ou le f¿tus sont toujours discutés par les endocrinologues, les gynécologues, les obstétriciens et les pédiatres. Le but de cet ouvrage unique en français est une mise au point de nos connaissances sur le sujet, et tout particulièrement sur le diagnostic hormonal et radiologique d'un syndrome d'hypersécrétion ou d'une insuffisance hypophysaire au cours d'une grossesse, ainsi que sur la prise en charge des patientes présentant une pathologie hypophysaire tumorale ou non tumorale, désirant ou présentant une grossesse. [less ▲]

A multicenter collaborative study to measure the prevalence of pituitary disease : methodology and preliminary findings

in 15th Meeting of the Belgian Endocrine Society : Bruxelles, 26 novembre 2005 (2005, November)

Gross total resection or debulking of pituitary adenomas improves hormonal control of acromegaly by somatostatin analogs

in European Journal of Endocrinology (2005), 152(1), 61-66

Introduction: Invasive GH-secreting pituitary adenomas are rarely cured by surgery and although long-term therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSAs) may be employed, hormonal control is achieved in only 60 ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Invasive GH-secreting pituitary adenomas are rarely cured by surgery and although long-term therapy with somatostatin analogs (SSAs) may be employed, hormonal control is achieved in only 60% of cases. The impact of tumor debulking on subsequent control of acromegaly with SSAs has not been studied previously. Methods: We studied retrospectively the response to SSA therapy in acromegalic patients before and after incomplete surgical tumor excision. A case review identified 24 acromegalic patients who had received SSA therapy for 1 month before and after gross total resection or debulking of adenomas. No patient received radiotherapy or combination treatment with SSAs and dopamine agonists during the study. GH and IGF-I responses to SSAs were recorded pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative SSA therapy was begun after a washout period of 1–3 months to assess the hormonal effects of the surgery alone. Results: Before preoperative SSA treatment, 24/24 (100%) patients had elevated GH levels and IGF-I levels were elevated in 19/21 (90.5%) patients with recorded values. During preoperative SSA treatment, GH and IGF-I levels were normalized in 7/24 (29.2%) and 11/24 (45.8%) patients respectively. Following postoperative washout, GH was controlled in only 3/24 (12.5%) patients, while IGF-I was controlled in 8/19 (42.1%) patients with available data. During the second SSA treatment period, normal GH levels were seen in 13/24 (54.2%) patients, while IGF-I control was noted in 18/23 (78.3%). Conclusion: Gross total tumor resection or debulking increases the likelihood of achieving biochemical disease control with SSAs in acromegalic patients with adenomas that were not amenable to complete surgical resection and in whom primary SSA therapy was unable to achieve good biochemical control. [less ▲]