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Contains fulltext : 245825.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: Phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma (collectively known as PPGL) in pregnant women can lead to severe complications and death due to associated catecholamine excess. We aimed to identify factors associated with maternal and fetal outcomes in women with PPGL during pregnancy. METHODS: We did a multicentre, retrospective study of patients with PPGL and pregnancy between Jan 1, 1980, and Dec 31, 2019, in the International Pheochromocytoma and Pregnancy Registry and a systematic review of studies published between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 27, 2019 reporting on at least five cases. The inclusion criteria were pregnancy after 1980 and PPGL before or during pregnancy or within 12 months post partum. Eligible patients from the retrospective study and systematic review were included in the analysis. Outcomes of interest were maternal or fetal death and maternal severe cardiovascular complications of catecholamine excess. Potential variables associated with these outcomes were evaluated by logistic regression. FINDINGS: The systematic review identified seven studies (reporting on 63 pregnancies in 55 patients) that met the eligibility criteria and were of adequate quality. A further 197 pregnancies in 186 patients were identified in the International Pheochromocytoma and Pregnancy Registry. After excluding 11 pregnancies due to potential overlap, the final cohort included 249 pregnancies in 232 patients with PPGL. The diagnosis of PPGL was made before pregnancy in 37 (15%) pregnancies, during pregnancy in 134 (54%), and after delivery in 78 (31%). Of 144 patients evaluated for genetic predisposition for phaeochromocytoma, 95 (66%) were positive. Unrecognised PPGL during pregnancy (odds ratio 27·0; 95% CI 3·5-3473·1), abdominal or pelvic tumour location (11·3; 1·5-1440·5), and catecholamine excess at least ten-times the upper limit of the normal range (4·7; 1·8-13·8) were associated with adverse outcomes. For patients diagnosed during pregnancy, α-adrenergic blockade therapy was associated with fewer adverse outcomes (3·6; 1·1-13·2 for no α-adrenergic blockade vs α-adrenergic blockade), whereas surgery during pregnancy was not associated with better outcomes (0·9; 0·3-3·9 for no surgery vs surgery). INTERPRETATION: Unrecognised and untreated PPGL was associated with a substantially higher risk of either maternal or fetal complications. Appropriate case detection and counselling for premenopausal women at risk for PPGL could prevent adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health.

The transcriptomic profiling of lung damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to the development of effective therapies to prevent COVID-19-related deaths. We selected a series of 21 autoptic lung samples, 14 of which had positive nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19-related death; their pulmonary viral load was quantified with a specific probe for SARS-CoV-2. The remaining seven cases had no documented respiratory disease and were used as controls. RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples was extracted to perform gene expression profiling by means of targeted (Nanostring) and comprehensive RNA-Seq. Two differential expression designs were carried out leading to relevant results in terms of deregulation. SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens presented a significant overexpression in genes of the type I interferon signaling pathway (IFIT1, OAS1, ISG15 and RSAD2), complement activation (C2 and CFB), macrophage polarization (PKM, SIGLEC1, CD163 and MS4A4A) and Cathepsin C (CTSC). CD163, Siglec-1 and Cathepsin C overexpression was validated by immunohistochemistry. SFTPC, the encoding gene for pulmonary-associated surfactant protein C, emerged as a key identifier of COVID-19 patients with high viral load. This study successfully recognized SARS-CoV-2 specific immune signatures in lung samples and highlighted new potential therapeutic targets. A better understanding of the immunopathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 induced lung damage is required to develop effective individualized pharmacological strategies.

Tumours can be viewed as aberrant tissues or organs sustained by tumorigenic stem-like cells that engage into dysregulated histo/organogenetic processes. Paragangliomas, prototypical organoid tumours constituted by dysmorphic variants of the vascular and neural tissues found in normal paraganglia, provide a model to test this hypothesis. To understand the origin of paragangliomas, we built a biobank comprising 77 cases, 18 primary cultures, 4 derived cell lines, 80 patient-derived xenografts and 11 cell-derived xenografts. We comparatively investigated these unique complementary materials using morphofunctional, ultrastructural and flow cytometric assays accompanied by microRNA studies. We found that paragangliomas contain stem-like cells with hybrid mesenchymal/vasculoneural phenotype, stabilized and expanded in the derived cultures. The viability and growth of such cultures depended on the downregulation of the miR-200 and miR-34 families, which allowed high PDGFRA and ZEB1 protein expression levels. Both tumour tissue- and cell culture-derived xenografts recapitulated the vasculoneural paraganglioma structure and arose from mesenchymal-like cells through a fixed developmental sequence. First, vasculoangiogenesis organized the microenvironment, building a perivascular niche which in turn supported neurogenesis. Neuroepithelial differentiation was associated with severe mitochondrial dysfunction, not present in cultured paraganglioma cells, but acquired in vivo during xenograft formation. Vasculogenesis was the Achilles’ heel of xenograft development. In fact, imatinib, that targets endothelial-mural signalling, blocked paraganglioma xenograft formation (11 xenografts from 12 cell transplants in the control group versus 2 out of 10 in the treated group, P = 0.0015). Overall our key results were unaffected by the SDHx gene carrier status of the patient, characterized for 70 out of 77 cases. In conclusion, we explain the biphasic vasculoneural structure of paragangliomas and identify an early and pharmacologically actionable phase of paraganglioma organization. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00401-017-1799-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ARMC5 mutations have recently been identified as a common genetic cause of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH). We aimed to assess the prevalence of ARMC5 germline mutations and correlate genotype with phenotype in a large cohort of PBMAH patients. A multicenter study was performed, collecting patients from different endocrinology units in Italy. Seventy-one PBMAH patients were screened for small mutations and large rearrangements in the ARMC5 gene: 53 were cortisol-secreting (two with a family history of adrenal hyperplasia) and 18 were non-secreting cases of PBMAH. Non-mutated and mutated patients’ clinical phenotypes were compared and related to the type of mutation. A likely causative germline ARMC5 mutation was only identified in cortisol-secreting PBMAH patients (one with a family history of adrenal hyperplasia and ten apparently sporadic cases). Screening in eight first-degree relatives of three index cases revealed four carriers of an ARMC5 mutation. Evidence of a second hit at somatic level was identified in five nodules. Mutated patients had higher cortisol levels (p = 0.062), and more severe hypertension and diabetes (p

Background Although many studies have been published about specific lesions characterizing von Hippel-Lindau(VHL) disease, none have dealt with the natural history of the whole disease and the consequent disabilities. We aim to define the comprehensive natural history of VHL disease and to describe the functional disabilities and their impact upon patients' quality of life, thereby tailoring the follow-up schedule accordingly. Methods We performed a prospective analysis on 128 VHL-affected patients beginning in 1996. For each affected organ, we defined intervals between the first and subsequent VHL-related manifestations and compared them with current VHL surveillance protocols. We looked for any association of the number of involved organs with age, sex, type of VHL gene mutation, and functional domain mutation. Ultimately, we assessed the organ-specific disabilities caused by VHL disease. Results Hemangioblastomas show different patterns of progression depending on their location, whereas both renal cysts and carcinomas have similar progression rates. Surgery for pheochromocytoma and CNS hemangioblastoma is performed earlier than for pancreatic or renal cancer. The number of involved organs is associated with age but not with sex, type of VHL gene mutation, or functional domain mutation. A thorough analysis of functional disabilities showed that age is related to the first-appearing functional impairment, but it is not predictive of the final number of disabilities. Conclusions Our study defines the disease progression and provides a comprehensive view of the syndrome over time. We analyzed for the first time the functional disability of VHL patients, assessing the progression for each function.

The precise diagnosis of thyroid neoplasias will guide surgical management. Primary thyroid paraganglioma has been rarely reported. Data on prevalence, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular genetics in a systematic series of such patients are pending. We performed a multinational population-based study on thyroid paraganglioma and analyzed prevalence, IHC, and molecular genetics. Patients with thyroid paraganglioma were recruited from the European-American-Head-and-Neck-Paraganglioma-Registry. Demographic and clinical data were registered. Histopathology and IHC were re-investigated. All patients with thyroid paraganglioma underwent molecular genetic analyses of theSDHA,SDHB,SDHC,SDHD,SDHAF2,VHL,RET,TMEM127, andMAXgenes. Analyses included Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detection of large rearrangements. Of 947 registrants, eight candidates were initially identified. After immunohistochemical analyses of these eight subjects, 5 (0.5%) were confirmed to have thyroid paraganglioma. IHC was positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, and S-100 and negative for calcitonin in all five thyroid paragangliomas, whereas the three excluded candidate tumors stained positive for pan-cytokeratin, a marker excluding endocrine tumors. Germline variants, probably representing mutations, were found in four of the five confirmed thyroid paraganglioma cases, two each inSDHAandSDHB, whereas the excluded cases had no mutations in the tested genes. Thyroid paraganglioma is a finite entity, which must be differentiated from medullary thyroid carcinoma, because medical, surgical, and genetic management for each is different. Notably, approximately 80% of thyroid paragangliomas are associated with germline variants, with implications for additional tumors and a potential risk for the family. As opposed to sporadic tumors, surgical management and extent of resection are different for heritable tumors, each guided by the precise gene involved.

WOS: 000410676400011, PubMed ID: 28384794, IMPORTANCE Effective cancer prevention is based on accurate molecular diagnosis and results of genetic family screening, genotype-informed risk assessment, and tailored strategies for early diagnosis. The expanding etiology for hereditary pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas has recently included SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 as susceptibility genes. Clinical management guidelines for patients with germline mutations in these 4 newly included genes are lacking. OBJECTIVE To study the clinical spectra and age-related penetrance of individuals with mutations in the SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 genes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS This study analyzed the prospective, longitudinally followed up European-American-Asian Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma Registry for prevalence of SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 germline mutation carriers from 1993 to 2016. Genetic predictive testing and clinical investigation by imaging from neck to pelvis was offered to mutation-positive registrants and their relatives to clinically characterize the pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma diseases associated with mutations of the 4 new genes. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prevalence and spectra of germline mutations in the SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 genes were assessed. The clinical features of SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 disease were characterized. RESULTS Of 972 unrelated registrants without mutations in the classic pheochromocytoma- and paraganglioma-associated genes (632 female [65.0%] and 340 male [35.0%]; age range, 8-80; mean [SD] age, 41.0 [13.3] years), 58 (6.0%) carried germline mutations of interest, including 29 SDHA, 20 TMEM127, 8 MAX, and 1 SDHAF2. Fifty-three of 58 patients (91%) had familial, multiple, extra-adrenal, and/or malignant tumors and/or were younger than 40 years. Newly uncovered are 7 of 63 (11%) malignant pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas in SDHA and TMEM127 disease. SDHA disease occurred as early as 8 years of age. Extra-adrenal tumors occurred in 28 mutation carriers (48%) and in 23 of 29 SDHA mutation carriers (79%), particularly with head and neck paraganglioma. MAX disease occurred almost exclusively in the adrenal glands with frequently bilateral tumors. Penetrance in the largest subset, SDHA carriers, was 39% at 40 years of age and is statistically different in index patients (45%) vs mutation-carrying relatives (13%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The SDHA, TMEM127, MAX, and SDHAF2 genes may contribute to hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. Genetic testing is recommended in patients at clinically high risk if the classic genes are mutation negative. Gene-specific prevention and/or early detection requires regular, systematic whole-body investigation., Deutsche Krebshilfe Grant from the German Cancer Foundation [107995]; Arthur Blank Foundation; Sondra J and Stephen R Hardis Endowed Chair of Cancer Genomic Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic; Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto; Janos Bolyai Research FellowshipHungarian Academy of Sciences; National Medical Research CouncilMedical Research Council UK (MRC), This study was supported in part by Deutsche Krebshilfe Grant 107995 from the German Cancer Foundation (Dr Neumann), the Arthur Blank Foundation (Dr Eng), the Sondra J and Stephen R Hardis Endowed Chair of Cancer Genomic Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, a grant of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trento e Rovereto (Dr Opocher), the Janos Bolyai Research Fellowship (Dr Patocs), and a Transition Award from the National Medical Research Council (Dr Ngeow).

11 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables.-- Burnichón, Nelly et al., Purpose: Pheochromocytomas (PCC) and paragangliomas (PGL) are genetically heterogeneous neural crest-derived neoplasms. Recently we identified germline mutations in a new tumor suppressor susceptibility gene, MAX (MYC-associated factor X), which predisposes carriers to PCC. How MAX mutations contribute to PCC/PGL and associated phenotypes remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated phenotypic features of germline and somatic MAX mutations in PCC/PGL., Design: We sequenced MAX in 1,694 patients with PCC or PGL (without mutations in other major susceptibility genes) from 17 independent referral centers. We screened for large deletions/duplications in 1,535 patients using a multiplex PCR-based method. Somatic mutations were searched for in tumors from an additional 245 patients. The frequency and type of MAX mutation was assessed overall and by clinical characteristics., Results: Sixteen MAX pathogenic mutations were identified in 23 index patients. All had adrenal tumors, including 13 bilateral or multiple PCCs within the same gland (P < 0.001), 15.8% developed additional tumors at thoracoabdominal sites, and 37% had familial antecedents. Age at diagnosis was lower (P = 0.001) in MAX mutation carriers compared with nonmutated cases. Two patients (10.5%) developed metastatic disease. A mutation affecting MAX was found in five tumors, four of them confirmed as somatic (1.65%). MAX tumors were characterized by substantial increases in normetanephrine, associated with normal or minor increases in metanephrine., Conclusions: Germline mutations in MAX are responsible for 1.12% of PCC/PGL in patients without evidence of other known mutations and should be considered in the genetic work-up of these patients. ©2012 AACR.

Context: Anecdotal evidence suggests a high incidence in Trentino, Italy, of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGL), a rare autosomal dominant disease called paraganglioma type 1 syndrome and caused by germ-line mutations of the SDHD gene. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the origin, spread, and clinical expression of the disease in this geographic region. Design, Setting, and Participants: Trentino natives with HNPGL were recruited for establishing clinical expression of the disease, presence of a founder effect, and age of common ancestor. A large sample of the local population was recruited for determination of mutation prevalence and spread. Main Outcome Measures: SDHD genetic testing was offered to first-degree relatives, and clinical surveillance was offered to at-risk carriers. The hypothesis of a founder effect was explored by haplotype analysis, and time to the most recent common ancestor was estimated by decay of haplotype sharing over time. Results: A total of 287 of the 540 recruited individuals from 95 kindreds carried the SDHD c.341A>G p.Tyr114Cys mutation. The prevalent phenotype was bilateral or multiple HNPGL, with low prevalence of pheochromocytoma and malignant forms. Penetrance was high. A common ancestor was dated between the 14th and 15th century, with the mutation spreading from the Mocheni Valley, a geographic, cultural and, presumably, a genetic isolate to 1.5% of the region's population. Conclusions: A combination of particular demographic, geographical, and historical conditions has resulted in the oldest and largest SDHD founder effect so far characterized and has transformed a rare disease into an endemic disease with major public health implications.

Background Pheochromocytoma (Pheo) is usually considered a sporadic disease. Recently, an increasing rate of genetically based tumors has been reported. However, the need for systematic screening of unsuspected germline mutations in apparently sporadic forms is still debated. This study aimed to assess the effective rate of germline mutations causing Pheo and Paraganglioma (PGL), and the role of systematic genetic screening. Methods Demographics, clinical, and genetic evaluation were performed in a series of 71 patients with Pheo and/or PGL. Results Twelve patients had evident inherited/familial disease at presentation: NF1 ( n = 4); MEN2 ( n = 4), and familial Pheo/PGL ( n = 4). Among 59 patients with apparently sporadic disease, unsuspected germline mutations occurred in 8 cases: TMEM127 ( n = 4), SDHB ( n = 2), VHL ( n = 1), SDHC ( n = 1). No differences were found between hereditary and sporadic disease concerning age, sex, and tumor size; bilateral Pheo and/or PGL and recurrences occurred most often in hereditary disease. Conclusion Hereditary Pheo and/or PGL are frequent (28.2%). Inheritance is evident at presentation only in 16.9% of cases; 13.6% of apparently sporadic variants are genetically determined. Despite increased costs, systematic genetic screening might be useful because it might lead to a stricter follow-up, early diagnosis of recurrences in index cases and presymptomatic detection of disease in relatives.

A heterogeneous set of cells that are commonly grouped as "myeloid cells", interacts in a complex landscape of physiological and pathological situations. In this review we attempt to trace a profile of the "myeloid connection" through different normal and pathological states, by analyzing common metabolic pathways of the amino acid l-arginine. Myeloid cells exert various, often divergent, actions on the immune response through mechanisms that exploit mediators of this peculiar metabolic pathway, ranging from l-arginine itself to its downstream metabolites, like nitric oxide and polyamines. Various pathological situations, including neoplastic and autoimmune diseases, as well as injury repair and infections are discussed here, showing how l-arginine metabolism is able to play a dual role, both as an active protector and a possible threat to the organism.

Hereditary pheochromocytoma (PCC) is often caused by germline mutations in one of nine susceptibility genes described to date, but there are familial cases without mutations in these known genes. We sequenced the exomes of three unrelated individuals with hereditary PCC (cases) and identified mutations in MAX, the MYC associated factor X gene. Absence of MAX protein in the tumors and loss of heterozygosity caused by uniparental disomy supported the involvement of MAX alterations in the disease. A follow-up study of a selected series of 59 cases with PCC identified five additional MAX mutations and suggested an association with malignant outcome and preferential paternal transmission of MAX mutations. The involvement of the MYC-MAX-MXD1 network in the development and progression of neural crest cell tumors is further supported by the lack of functional MAX in rat PCC (PC12) cells and by the amplification of MYCN in neuroblastoma and suggests that loss of MAX function is correlated with metastatic potential.