1. Exploring the Possible Prognostic Role of B-Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) in a Large Series of Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Author
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Cinzia Pistis, Elio Tonutti, Martina Fabris, Elda Kara, Vincenzo Triggiani, Franco Grimaldi, Francesco Curcio, Fabio Vescini, and Veronica Tonelli
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Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,Neuroendocrine tumors ,Gastroenterology ,Metastasis ,Young Adult ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,B-Cell Activating Factor ,Biomarkers, Tumor ,medicine ,Humans ,Immunology and Allergy ,Young adult ,B-cell activating factor ,Insulinoma ,Aged ,Retrospective Studies ,Aged, 80 and over ,Lung ,biology ,business.industry ,Chromogranin A ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,medicine.disease ,Up-Regulation ,Treatment Outcome ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Predictive value of tests ,Disease Progression ,biology.protein ,Female ,B-Lymphocyte stimulator ,Somatostatin ,business - Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE BLyS (B-Lymphocyte stimulator) is over-expressed in several tumoral settings, with direct or indirect effects on neoplastic proliferation and possibly representing a therapeutic target. In this study, we explored the role of BLyS in a large population of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). METHODS The study analyzed the stored sera of 124 consecutive unselected patients with NETs: 36 lung carcinoids (24 typical, 12 atypical), 47 gastroenteric tract and 41 pancreatic (30 non-functioning and 11 functioning: 9 insulinomas, 2 glucagonomas). In 23 cases, BLyS was repeatedly assessed during the follow-up and the disease was monitored (progression, stabilization or remission) according to the RECIST criteria. Patients were compared to 92 age and sex-matched blood donors (BDs). Serum levels of BLyS and Chromogranin A (CgA) were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS NET patients showed significantly higher BLyS levels than BDs (1274±809 pg/ml vs. 587±173 pg/ml; p
- Published
- 2018
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