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Expert Review of Endocrinology &... 2023Immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy modulates the response of the immune system acting against cancer. Two pathways impacted by this kind of treatment are the CTLA4 and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy modulates the response of the immune system acting against cancer. Two pathways impacted by this kind of treatment are the CTLA4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways. ICI therapy can trigger autoimmune adverse effects, known as immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs).
AREAS COVERED
This review focuses on irAEs which affect the endocrine system. This review elucidates the pathways used by these drugs with a focus on the hypothetical pathogenesis at their basis. In fact, the pathophysiology of irAEs concerns the possibility of an interaction between cellular autoimmunity, humoral immunity, cytokines, chemokines, and genetics. The endocrine irAEs examined are thyroid dysfunctions, immune related-hypophysitis, diabetes, peripheral adrenal insufficiency, and hypoparathyroidism.
EXPERT OPINION
There is still much to investigate in endocrine irAES of checkpoint inhibitors. In the future, checkpoint inhibitors will be increasingly utilized therapies, and therefore it is crucial to find the proper diagnostic-therapeutic program for irAEs, especially as endocrine irAEs are nonreversible and require lifelong replacement therapies.
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immunotherapy; Endocrine System; Endocrine System Diseases; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 37682107
DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2256841 -
Current Opinion in Endocrinology,... Feb 2024Primary mitochondrial diseases are one of the most prevalent groups of multisystem genetic disorders. Endocrinopathies associated with mitochondrial diseases may have... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Primary mitochondrial diseases are one of the most prevalent groups of multisystem genetic disorders. Endocrinopathies associated with mitochondrial diseases may have clinical features that are distinct from the more common forms. We provide an overview of mitochondrial disorder genetics and phenotypes, focusing on recent studies regarding identification and treatment of associated endocrinopathies.
RECENT FINDINGS
Known endocrine phenotypes of mitochondrial disorders continue to expand, and now include growth hormone deficiency, hypogonadism, precocious puberty, hypoparathyroidism, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and adrenal insufficiency. Recent studies suggest several genotype-phenotype correlations, including those related to nuclear variants. Diagnosis is important, as special considerations should be made in the management of endocrinopathies in mitochondrial patients. Finally, new mitochondrial replacement strategies may soon be available for women interested in preventing mitochondrial disease transmission to offspring.
SUMMARY
Patients with multiple endocrinopathies or atypical endocrinopathies should be evaluated for primary mitochondrial disease, as a diagnosis may impact management of these individuals.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endocrine System Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Puberty, Precocious; Mitochondrial Diseases; Hyperthyroidism; Adrenal Insufficiency
PubMed: 38047549
DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000848 -
Endocrine Connections Sep 2023Total thyroidectomy is associated with a high risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, mainly due to the unintended surgical damage to the parathyroid glands or their...
OBJECTIVE
Total thyroidectomy is associated with a high risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, mainly due to the unintended surgical damage to the parathyroid glands or their blood supply. It is possible that surgeons who also perform parathyroid surgery see lower rates of postoperative hypoparathyroidism. In a single institution, we investigated the effects of restricting total thyroidectomy operations for Graves' disease to two surgeons who performed both thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. We aimed to evaluate the rates of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in a 10-year period with primary attention toward patients with Graves' disease.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study from a single institution.
METHODS
We defined the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy as the need for active vitamin D 6 months postoperatively. Between 2012 and 2016, seven surgeons performed all thyroidectomies. From January 2017, only surgeons also performing parathyroid surgery carried out thyroidectomies for Graves' disease.
RESULTS
We performed total thyroidectomy in 543 patients. The rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism decreased from 28% in 2012-2014 to 6% in 2020-2021. For patients with Graves' disease, the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism decreased from 36% (13 out of 36) in 2015-2016 to 2% (1 out of 56) in 2020-2021. In cancer patients, the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism decreased from 30% (14 out of 46) in 2012-2014 to 10% (10 out of 51) in 2020-2021.
CONCLUSION
Restricting thyroidectomy to surgeons who also performed parathyroid operations reduced postoperative hypoparathyroidism markedly. Accordingly, we recommend centralisation of the most difficult thyroid operations to centres and surgeons with extensive experience in parathyroid surgery.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT
Thyroid surgery is performed by many different surgeons with marked differences in outcome. Indeed, the risk of postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism may be very high in low-volume centres. This serious condition affects the quality of life and increases long-term morbidity and the patients develop a life-long dependency of medical treatments. We encountered a high risk of hypoparathyroidism after the operation for Graves' disease and restricted the number of surgeons to two for these operations. Further, these surgeons were experienced in both thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. We show a dramatic reduction in postoperative hypoparathyroidism after this change. Accordingly, we recommend centralisation of total thyroidectomy to surgeons with experience in both thyroid and parathyroid procedures.
PubMed: 37487033
DOI: 10.1530/EC-23-0198 -
Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.) Oct 2023Paired box 1 (PAX1) deficiency has been reported in a small number of patients diagnosed with otofaciocervical syndrome type 2 (OFCS2). We described six new patients who...
Paired box 1 (PAX1) deficiency has been reported in a small number of patients diagnosed with otofaciocervical syndrome type 2 (OFCS2). We described six new patients who demonstrated variable clinical penetrance. Reduced transcriptional activity of pathogenic variants confirmed partial or complete PAX1 deficiency. Thymic aplasia and hypoplasia were associated with impaired T cell immunity. Corrective treatment was required in 4/6 patients. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation resulted in poor immune reconstitution with absent naïve T cells, contrasting with the superior recovery of T cell immunity after thymus transplantation. Normal ex vivo differentiation of PAX1-deficient CD34 cells into mature T cells demonstrated the absence of a hematopoietic cell-intrinsic defect. New overlapping features with DiGeorge syndrome included primary hypoparathyroidism (n = 5) and congenital heart defects (n = 2), in line with PAX1 expression during early embryogenesis. Our results highlight new features of PAX1 deficiency, which are relevant to improving early diagnosis and identifying patients requiring corrective treatment.
Topics: Humans; Paired Box Transcription Factors; Phenotype; T-Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
PubMed: 37689091
DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109757 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Feb 2024The aim of this Meta-analysis is to evaluate the impact of different treatment strategies for early postoperative hypoparathyroidism on hypocalcemia-related... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this Meta-analysis is to evaluate the impact of different treatment strategies for early postoperative hypoparathyroidism on hypocalcemia-related complications and long-term hypoparathyroidism.
DATA SOURCES
Embase.com, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the top 100 references of Google Scholar were searched to September 20, 2022.
REVIEW METHODS
Articles reporting on adult patients who underwent total thyroidectomy which specified a treatment strategy for postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism were included. Random effect models were applied to obtain pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals. Primary outcome was the occurrence of major hypocalcemia-related complications. Secondary outcome was long-term hypoparathyroidism.
RESULTS
Sixty-six studies comprising 67 treatment protocols and 51,096 patients were included in this Meta-analysis. In 8 protocols (3806 patients), routine calcium and/or active vitamin D medication was given to all patients directly after thyroidectomy. In 49 protocols (44,012 patients), calcium and/or active vitamin D medication was only given to patients with biochemically proven postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism. In 10 protocols (3278 patients), calcium and/or active vitamin D supplementation was only initiated in case of clinical symptoms of hypocalcemia. No patient had a major complication due to postoperative hypocalcemia. The pooled proportion of long-term hypoparathyroidism was 2.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.9-3.0). There was no significant difference in the incidence of long-term hypoparathyroidism between the 3 supplementation groups.
CONCLUSIONS
All treatment strategies for postoperative hypocalcemia prevent major complications of hypocalcemia. The early postoperative treatment protocol for postthyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism does not seem to influence recovery of parathyroid function in the long term.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hypocalcemia; Calcium; Hypoparathyroidism; Parathyroid Glands; Vitamin D; Thyroidectomy; Postoperative Complications; Parathyroid Hormone
PubMed: 38013484
DOI: 10.1002/ohn.594 -
JAMA Network Open May 2024Hypoparathyroidism following thyroid surgery is a serious complication that occurs frequently when surgery is performed by low-volume thyroid surgeons without experience...
IMPORTANCE
Hypoparathyroidism following thyroid surgery is a serious complication that occurs frequently when surgery is performed by low-volume thyroid surgeons without experience in parathyroid surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the occurrence of hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy after the introduction of autofluorescence in low-volume, nonparathyroid institutions.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This prospective, multicenter cohort study, with a follow-up period of up to 1 year, was conducted in Denmark at 2 low-volume nonparathyroid institutions between January 2021 and November 2023. All adult patients referred for total thyroidectomy were assessed for eligibility (n = 90). Only patients with no history of thyroid surgery were considered (n = 89). Patients who only underwent lobectomy (n = 6) or declined to participate (n = 5) were excluded. All included patients completed follow-up. The prospective cohort was compared with a historical cohort of successive patients undergoing primary total thyroidectomy from 2016 to 2020 (before autofluorescence was available).
INTERVENTION
Included patients underwent autofluorescence-guided total thyroidectomy.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Rate of hypoparathyroidism. Immediate hypoparathyroidism was defined as the need for active vitamin D postoperatively, whereas permanent hypoparathyroidism was considered when there still was a need for active vitamin D 1 year after surgery.
RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients underwent autofluorescence-guided surgery (mean [SD] age, 55.6 [13.1] years; 67 [86%] female) and were compared with 89 patients in the historical cohort (mean [SD] age, 49.7 [12.8] years; 78 [88%] female). The rate of immediate hypoparathyroidism decreased from 37% (95% CI, 27%-48%) to 19% (95% CI, 11%-30%) after the introduction of autofluorescence (P = .02). Permanent hypoparathyroidism rates decreased from 32% (95% CI, 22%-42%) to 6% (95% CI, 2%-14%) (P < .001), reaching 0% at the end of the study. More parathyroid glands were identified with autofluorescence (75% [95% CI, 70%-80%] vs 61% [95% CI, 56%-66%]) (P < .001) and less parathyroid glands were inadvertently excised (4% [95% CI, 1%-11%] vs 21% [95% CI, 13%-31%]) (P = .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study of autofluorescence-guided thyroid surgery in low-volume, nonparathyroid institutions, the use of autofluorescence was associated with a significant decrease in both immediate and permanent hypoparathyroidism. When autofluorescence was used, hypoparathyroidism rates were comparable with those of high-volume surgeons who also perform parathyroid surgery.
Topics: Humans; Thyroidectomy; Hypoparathyroidism; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Postoperative Complications; Adult; Denmark; Optical Imaging; Aged; Surgery, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 38748422
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11384 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Jul 2023Bone is one of the main targets of hormones and endocrine diseases are frequent causes of secondary osteoporosis and fractures in real-world clinical practice. However,... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Bone is one of the main targets of hormones and endocrine diseases are frequent causes of secondary osteoporosis and fractures in real-world clinical practice. However, diagnosis of skeletal fragility and prediction of fractures in this setting could be a challenge, since the skeletal alterations induced by endocrine disorders are not generally captured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), that is the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis in the general population. The aim of this paper is to review the existing evidence related to bone quality features in endocrine diseases, proposing assessment with new techniques in the future.
METHODS
A comprehensive search within electronic databases was performed to collect reports of bone quality in primary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypercortisolism, growth hormone deficiency, acromegaly, male hypogonadism and diabetes mellitus.
RESULTS
Using invasive and non-invasive techniques, such as high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography or DXA measurement of trabecular bone score (TBS), several studies consistently reported altered bone quality as predominant determinant of fragility fractures in subjects affected by chronic endocrine disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of skeletal fragility in endocrine diseases might take advantage from the use of techniques to detect perturbation in bone architecture with the aim of best identifying patients at high risk of fractures.
Topics: Humans; Male; Osteoporotic Fractures; Clinical Relevance; Osteoporosis; Bone and Bones; Bone Density; Absorptiometry, Photon; Acromegaly; Lumbar Vertebrae
PubMed: 36918505
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02056-w