-
BMC Endocrine Disorders Jun 2024Activating mutation in Ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP8) is identified to enhance cell proliferation and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from corticotroph...
OBJECTIVE
Activating mutation in Ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP8) is identified to enhance cell proliferation and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from corticotroph pituitary adenoma. We investigated the USP8 variant status in a population of Iranian people with functional corticotroph pituitary adenoma (FCPA). Moreover, a systematic review was conducted to thoroughly explore the role of USP8 variants and the related pathways in corticotroph adenomas, genotype-phenotype correlation in USP8-mutated individuals with FCPA, and the potential role of USP8 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as targeted therapies in PFCAs.
METHODS
Genetic analysis of 20 tissue samples from 19 patients with PFCAs was performed using Sanger sequencing. Moreover, a systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, web of Sciences, and Cochrane databases were searched. The last search was performed on 20 September 2023 for all databases.
RESULTS
In our series, we found two somatic mutations including a 7-bp deletion variant: c.2151_2157delCTCCTCC, p. Ser718GlnfsTer3, and a missense variant: c.2159 C > G, p. Pro720Arg (rs672601311) in exon 14. The Systematic review indicated USP8 variant in 35% of corticotroph adenomas, with the highest frequency (25%) in 720 code regions, p. Pro720Arg. Data regarding the impact of USP8 mutational status on clinical characteristics and outcomes in FCPAs are inconsistent. Moreover, Pasireotide as well as inhibitors of EGFR such as Gefitinib and Lapatinib, as well as USP8 inhibitors including -ehtyloxyimino9H-indeno (1, 2-b) pyrazine-2, 3-dicarbonitrile, DUBs-IN-2, and RA-9 indicated promising results in treatment of corticotroph adenomas.
CONCLUSION
Although the USP8-EGFR system has been identified as the main trigger and target of corticotroph tumorigenesis, more precise multicenter studies are required to yield more consistent information regarding the phenotype-genotype correlation and to develop effective targeted therapies.
Topics: Humans; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Iran; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion; Adult; Female; Male; Endopeptidases; Mutation; Middle Aged; ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma; Middle Eastern People
PubMed: 38862897
DOI: 10.1186/s12902-024-01619-z -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024To review the clinical characteristics and effect of treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and three copies of the gene.
The impact of three gene copies on clinical characteristics and effect of disease-modifying treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the clinical characteristics and effect of treatment in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and three copies of the gene.
METHODS
We conducted a literature search in October 2022 to identify English-language clinical research on SMA that included copy number according to PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
Our search identified 44 studies examining the impact of three copies on clinical characteristics (21 on phenotype, 13 on natural history, and 15 on functional status and other signs/symptoms). In children with type I SMA or presymptomatic infants with an deletion, three copies was associated with later symptom onset, slower decline in motor function and longer survival compared with two copies. In patients with SMA type II or III, three copies is associated with earlier symptom onset, loss of ambulation, and ventilator dependence compared with four copies. Eleven studies examined treatment effects with nusinersen (nine studies), onasemnogene abeparvovec (one study), and a range of treatments (one study) in patients with three copies. In presymptomatic infants, early treatment delayed the onset of symptoms and maintained motor function in those with three copies. The impact of copy number on treatment response in symptomatic patients is still unclear.
CONCLUSION
copy number is strongly correlated with SMA phenotype in patients with deletion, while no correlation was found in patients with an mutation. Patients with three copies show a highly variable clinical phenotype. Early initiation of treatment is highly effective in presymptomatic patients with three copies.
PubMed: 38487326
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1308296 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2024Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare Mendelian disorder caused by mutations of the androgen receptor () gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. As a result...
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome with Bilateral Gonadal Sertoli Cell Lesions, Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor, and Paratesticular Leiomyoma: A Case Report and First Systematic Literature Review.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a rare Mendelian disorder caused by mutations of the androgen receptor () gene on the long arm of the X chromosome. As a result of the mutation, the receptor becomes resistant to androgens, and hence, karyotypically male patients (46,XY) carry a female phenotype. Their cryptorchid gonads are prone to the development of several types of tumors (germ cell, sex cord stromal, and others). Here, we report a 15-year-old female-looking patient with primary amenorrhea who underwent laparoscopic gonadectomy. Histologically, the patient's gonads showed Sertoli cell hamartomas (SCHs) and adenomas (SCAs) with areas of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) and a left-sided paratesticular leiomyoma. Rudimentary Fallopian tubes were also present. The patient's karyotype was 46,XY without any evidence of aberrations. Molecular genetic analysis of the left gonad revealed two likely germline mutations-a pathogenic frameshift deletion in the gene (c.77delT) and a likely pathogenic missense variant in the gene (p.A94V). Strikingly, no somatic mutations, fusions, or copy number variations were found. We also performed the first systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines; screened databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science; ended on 7 December 2023) of the reported cases of patients with AIS showing benign or malignant Sertoli cell lesions/tumors in their gonads ( = 225; age: 4-84, mean 32 years), including Sertoli cell hyperplasia (1%), Sertoli cell nodules (6%), SCHs (31%), SCAs (36%), Sertoli cell tumors (SCTs) (16%), and SLCTs (4%). The few cases ( = 14, 6%; six SCAs, four SCTs, two SLCTs, and two SCHs) with available follow-up (2-49, mean 17 months) showed no evidence of disease (13/14, 93%) or died of other causes (1/14, 7%) despite the histological diagnosis. Smooth muscle lesions/proliferations were identified in 19 (8%) cases (including clearly reported rudimentary uterine remnants, 3 cases; leiomyomas, 4 cases). Rudimentary Fallopian tube(s) were described in nine (4%) cases. Conclusion: AIS may be associated with sex cord/stromal tumors and, rarely, mesenchymal tumors such as leiomyomas. True malignant sex cord tumors can arise in these patients. Larger series with longer follow-ups are needed to estimate the exact prognostic relevance of tumor histology in AIS.
PubMed: 38398243
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13040929 -
BMC Cancer Nov 2023RAS mutations affect prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and have been identified as strong negative predictive markers for anti-epidermal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
RAS mutations affect prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and have been identified as strong negative predictive markers for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (anti-EGFR mAb) therapy, but many tumors containing wild-type RAS genes still do not respond to these therapies. Some additional biomarkers may have prognostic or predictive roles, but conclusions remain controversial.
METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing anti-EGFR mAb therapy with alternative therapy that investigated the prognostic and predictive impact of additional biomarkers in RAS wild-type (wt) mCRC patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and odds ratios (ORs) for objective response rate (ORR) were calculated. The prognostic value of biomarkers was investigated by separately pooling HR and OR for different treatment groups in an individual study. The predictive value was assessed by pooling study interactions between treatment effects and biomarker subgroups.
RESULTS
Thirty publications reporting on eighteen trials were selected, including a total of 13,507 patients. In prognostic analysis, BRAF mutations were associated with poorer PFS [HRs = 3.76 (2.47-5.73) and 2.69 (1.82-3.98)] and OS [HRs = 2.66 (1.95-3.65) and 2.45 (1.55-3.88)] in both the experimental and control arms; low miR-31-3p expression appeared to have longer PFS and OS. In terms of predictive effect, a lack of response to anti-EGFR therapy was observed in patients with BRAF mutant tumors (P < 0.01 for PFS). Patients with tumors with any mutation in the KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA gene also showed similar results compared with all wild-type tumors (P for PFS, OS, and ORR were < 0.01, < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). While low miR-31-3p expression could predict PFS (P = 0.01) and OS (P = 0.04) benefit. The prognostic and predictive value regarding PIK3CA mutations, PTEN mutations or deletions, EGFR, EREG/AREG, HER2, HER3, and HER4 expression remains uncertain.
CONCLUSIONS
In RAS wt mCRC patients receiving EGFR-targeted therapy, BRAF mutation is a powerful prognostic and therapy-predictive biomarker, with no effect found for PIK3CA mutation, PTEN mutation or deletion, but the combined biomarker KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA mutations predict resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Low miR-31-3p expression may have positive prognostic and therapy predictive effects. Evidence on the prognostic and predictive roles of EGFR and its ligands, and HER2/3/4 is insufficient.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Colorectal Neoplasms; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); ErbB Receptors; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Colonic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Mutation; MicroRNAs; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 37974093
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11600-z -
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis &... Feb 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with upper and lower motor neuron degeneration and necrosis, characterized by... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with upper and lower motor neuron degeneration and necrosis, characterized by progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. The mutation-associated ALS has been classified as ALS6. We reported a case of ALS6 with de novo mutation and investigated retrospectively the characteristics of cases with mutation.
METHODS
We reported a male patient with a new heterozygous variant of the gene and comprehensively reviewed 173 ALS cases with mutation. The literature was reviewed from the PubMed MEDLINE electronic database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) using "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and mutation" or " mutation" as key words from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2022.
RESULTS
We report a case of ALS6 with a new mutation point (c.1225-1227delGGA) and comprehensively review 173 ALS cases with mutation. Though ALS6 is all with mutation, it is still a highly heterogenous subtype. The average onset age of ALS6 is 35.2 ± 1.3 years, which is much lower than the average onset age of ALS (60 years old). Juvenile FUS mutations have an aggressive progression of disease, with an average time from onset to death or tracheostomy of 18.2 ± 0.5 months. gene has the characteristics of early onset, faster progress, and shorter survival, especially in deletion mutation p.G504Wfs *12 and missense mutation of p.P525L.
CONCLUSIONS
ALS6 is a highly heterogenous subtype. Our study could allow clinicians to better understand the non-ALS typical symptoms, phenotypes, and pathophysiology of ALS6.
Topics: Humans; Male; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Mutation; Mutation, Missense; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Retrospective Studies; RNA-Binding Protein FUS
PubMed: 37926865
DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2272170 -
Medicine Sep 2023Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is caused by a partial deficiency of hydroxymethylbilane synthase and affects heme biosynthesis. Mutations in the HMBS gene result in...
BACKGROUND
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is caused by a partial deficiency of hydroxymethylbilane synthase and affects heme biosynthesis. Mutations in the HMBS gene result in HMBS deficiency. AIP is a rare disease, and there been insufficient studies on it. This report describes the molecular epidemiology of HMBS gene defects and hydroxymethylbilane synthase activity levels in classical AIP.
METHODS
Databases of PubMed, CNKI, and Wang Fang Database were searched for eligible studies to investigate HMBS gene mutations in peripheral blood samples and HMBS activity in erythrocytes of patients with classical AIP. Relevant studies published up to July 15, 2023, from several databases were independently searched and selected by 2 reviewers. Accuracy data and relevant information were extracted from each eligible study by 2 independent researchers and analyzed using statistical software.
RESULTS
After pooling the accuracy data from 232 patients of the 15 eligible studies, 90.5% (210/232) of AIP patients had decreased erythrocyte hydroxymethylbilane synthase activity (<70%), and 96 different mutations were identified in 232 patients, including 33 missense (34.4%), 27 splice (28.1%), 19 deletion (19.8%), 8 nonsense (8.3%), 9 insertion (9.4%) mutations. Residual enzyme activities (%) for different groups of type were expressed using mean and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): missense (51.2, 48.5-53.9), splice (57.5, 52.0-59.1), deletion (54.9, 50.7-59.1), nonsense (52.2, 44.4-60.0), insertion (53.2, 47.4-59.0), group analysis P = .17. Subgroups of missense mutations, domain 1 (50.2, 46.0-54.4), domain 2 (52.8, 49.1-56.4), and domain 3 (49.2, 38.3-60.0), Subgroup analysis, P = .62.
CONCLUSION
Different mutation types and mutation positions are not associated with the level of hydroxymethylbilane synthase activity. Erythrocyte hydroxymethylbilane synthase activity is often reduced to half of normal in patients with AIP, and the enzyme activity assay has a high diagnostic value in AIP. AIP is highly molecularly heterogeneous, with missense mutations being the most common, followed by splice mutations. R173W and G111R are high-frequency mutations and have been found in multiple families from different countries.
Topics: Humans; Porphyria, Acute Intermittent; Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase; Mutation; Mutation, Missense
PubMed: 37773850
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035144 -
European Journal of Medical Research Aug 2023Previous studies showed that the combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib (combination therapy) significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) but no overall... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies showed that the combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib (combination therapy) significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) but no overall survival (OS) compared to erlotinib alone (monotherapy) for advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) had reported the OS results in 2021. This meta-analysis aimed to include the results of the two RCTs to make a decision.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We systematically searched relevant databases for RCTs on the use of bevacizumab plus erlotinib in advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC. The main outcomes of interest were PFS, OS, and the reported hazard ratio (HR). Fixed-effect model was used to estimate pooled HR.
RESULTS
Total 5 RCTs with 935 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. All studies reached their primary study endpoints including PFS and OS. Compared to monotherapy, combination therapy remarkably prolonged PFS (HR = 0.60, 95% confidence interval CI 0.51-0.70; p < 0.00001); however, OS was similar between the two groups (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.76-1.08; p = 0.26). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that in deletion within exon 19 (19del) mutation subgroup, the combination therapy could only prolong PFS (HR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.47-0.76; p < 0.0001) but not OS (HR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.73-1.37; p = 1.00), and also in leucine-to-arginine substitution in exon 21 (L858R) mutation subgroup (HR = 0.59, p < 0.0001 and HR = 0.80, p = 0.18, respectively). For patients with brain metastasis at baseline, the combination therapy achieved a significant better PFS than the monotherapy (HR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.39-0.90; p = 0.01), and a better OS with the difference marginally significant (HR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.46-1.02; p = 0.06).
CONCLUSIONS
Combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib can prolong progression-free survival but not overall survival compared to erlotinib alone in advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer patients. The combination therapy not only can prolong progression-free survival but also has a tendency to prolong overall survival for patients with brain metastasis at baseline.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Bevacizumab; Erlotinib Hydrochloride; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Brain Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; ErbB Receptors
PubMed: 37635242
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01272-7 -
Cureus Jul 2023Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder resulting from defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which... (Review)
Review
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder resulting from defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which in turn results in a multi-systemic disorder. There are numerous known CF alleles associated with different mutations of the CFTR gene, with the most common CF allele being a three-base-pair deletion known as ΔF508. One common manifestation of CF is glycemic dysregulation associated with decreased insulin secretion, often progressing into a distinct form of diabetes known as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). In the past decade, a class of drugs known as CFTR modulators has entered clinical practice. These drugs interact with the CFTR protein to restore its function, with different modulators (or combinations of modulators) suitable for patients with different CFTR mutations. Previous research has established that the modulator ivacaftor is effective in decreasing blood glucose and sometimes resolving CFRD in patients with certain CFTR mutations (class III mutations). However, early modulator therapies for individuals with the common ΔF508 mutation (e.g., a combination of the modulators lumacaftor and ivacaftor) have largely proven ineffective in improving glucose regulation. More recently, a combination therapy of three modulators, namely elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor (ETI), has entered clinical practice for patients with the ΔF508 mutation. However, it is not clear whether this therapy is effective in treating dysglycemia. We searched for studies of any design that examined the effects of ETI on measures of blood glucose. All available studies were observational studies comparing patients before and after initiating ETI therapy. Measures of daily-life blood glucose (those obtained with continuous glucose monitoring systems or by measuring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)) and post-prandial glucose spikes from oral glucose tolerance tests showed significant improvements in at least some studies. The majority of studies showed significant improvements from pre- to post-ETI in one or more blood glucose measures. While the interpretation of this evidence is complicated by the lack of randomized controlled trials, it appears that ETI therapy is associated with improved glucose regulation for at least some patients with the ΔF508 mutation.
PubMed: 37575762
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41697 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Jun 2023CSF1R mutations cause autosomal-dominant CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (CSF1R-ALSP) and autosomal-recessive brain... (Review)
Review
CSF1R mutations cause autosomal-dominant CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (CSF1R-ALSP) and autosomal-recessive brain abnormalities, neurodegeneration, and dysosteosclerosis (BANDDOS). The former is increasingly recognized, and disease-modifying therapy was introduced; however, literature is scarce on the latter. This review analyzes BANDDOS and discusses similarities and differences with CSF1R-ALSP.We systematically retrieved and analyzed the clinical, genetic, radiological, and pathological data on the previously reported and our cases with BANDDOS. We identified 19 patients with BANDDOS (literature search according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines: n = 16, our material: n = 3). We found 11 CSF1R mutations, including splicing (n = 3), missense (n = 3), nonsense (n = 2), and intronic (n = 2) variants and one inframe deletion. All mutations disrupted the tyrosine kinase domain or resulted in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. The material is heterogenous, and the presented information refers to the number of patients with sufficient data on specific symptoms, results, or performed procedures. The first symptoms occurred in the perinatal period (n = 5), infancy (n = 2), childhood (n = 5), and adulthood (n = 1). Dysmorphic features were present in 7/17 cases. Neurological symptoms included speech disturbances (n = 13/15), cognitive decline (n = 12/14), spasticity/rigidity (n = 12/15), hyperactive tendon reflex (n = 11/14), pathological reflexes (n = 8/11), seizures (n = 9/16), dysphagia (n = 9/12), developmental delay (n = 7/14), infantile hypotonia (n = 3/11), and optic nerve atrophy (n = 2/7). Skeletal deformities were observed in 13/17 cases and fell within the dysosteosclerosis - Pyle disease spectrum. Brain abnormalities included white matter changes (n = 19/19), calcifications (n = 15/18), agenesis of corpus callosum (n = 12/16), ventriculomegaly (n = 13/19), Dandy-Walker complex (n = 7/19), and cortical abnormalities (n = 4/10). Three patients died in infancy, two in childhood, and one case at unspecified age. A single brain autopsy evidenced multiple brain anomalies, absence of corpus callosum, absence of microglia, severe white matter atrophy with axonal spheroids, gliosis, and numerous dystrophic calcifications.In conclusion, BANDDOS presents in the perinatal period or infancy and has a devastating course with congenital brain abnormalities, developmental delay, neurological deficits, osteopetrosis, and dysmorphic features. There is a significant overlap in the clinical, radiological, and neuropathological aspects between BANDDOS and CSF1R-ALSP. As both disorders are on the same continuum, there is a window of opportunity to apply available therapy in CSF1R-ALSP to BANDDOS.
Topics: Humans; Neuroglia; Leukoencephalopathies; Brain; Mutation; Nervous System Malformations; Atrophy
PubMed: 37349768
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02772-9 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Primary complement system (C) deficiencies are rare but notably associated with an increased risk of infections, autoimmunity, or immune disorders. Patients with...
Primary complement system (C) deficiencies are rare but notably associated with an increased risk of infections, autoimmunity, or immune disorders. Patients with terminal pathway C-deficiency have a 1,000- to 10,000-fold-higher risk of infections and should be therefore promptly identified to minimize the likelihood of further infections and to favor vaccination. In this paper, we performed a systematic review about clinical and genetic patterns of C7 deficiency starting from the case of a ten-year old boy infected by and with clinical presentation suggestive of reduced C activity. Functional assay Wieslab ELISA Kit confirmed a reduction in total C activity of the classical (0.6% activity), lectin (0.2% activity) and alternative (0.1% activity) pathways. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of C7 in patient serum. Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of the patient allowed the identification of two pathogenetic variants in the C7 gene: the already well-characterized missense mutation G379R and a novel heterozygous deletion of three nucleotides located at the 3'UTR (c.*99_*101delTCT). This mutation resulted in an instability of the mRNA; thus, only the allele containing the missense mutation was expressed, making the proband a functional hemizygote for the expression of the mutated C7 allele.
Topics: Male; Humans; Child; 3' Untranslated Regions; Alleles; Autoimmunity; Biological Assay
PubMed: 37304269
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1192690