| 1. |
- Muth, Andreas, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Genetic testing and surveillance guidelines in hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
- 2019
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 285:2, s. 187-204
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare tumours and at least 30% are part of hereditary syndromes. Approximately 20% of hereditary PPGL are caused by pathogenic germ line variants in genes of the succinate dehydrogenase complex (SDHx), TMEM127 or MAX. Herein we present guidelines regarding genetic testing of family members and their surveillance based on a thorough literature review. All cases of PPGL are recommended genetic testing for germ line variants regardless of patient and family characteristics. At minimum, FH, NF1, RET, SDHB, SDHD and VHL should be tested. In addition, testing of MEN1, SDHA, SDHAF2, SDHC, TMEM127 and MAX is recommended. Healthy first-degree relatives (and second-degree relatives in the case of SDHD and SDHAF2 which are maternally imprinted) should be offered carrier testing. Carriers of pathogenic variants should be offered surveillance with annual biochemical measurements of methoxy-catecholamines and bi-annual rapid whole-body magnetic resonance imaging and clinical examination. Surveillance should start 5 years before the earliest age of onset in the family and thus only children eligible for surveillance should be offered pre-symptomatic genetic testing. The surveillance of children younger than 15 years needs to be individually designed. Our guidelines will provide a framework for patient management with the possibility to follow outcome via national registries and/or follow-up studies. Together with improved insights into the disease, this may enable optimisation of the surveillance scheme in order to minimise both anxiety and medical complications while ensuring early disease detection.
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| 2. |
- Backman, Samuel, et al.
(author)
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Detection of Somatic Mutations in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Using Targeted Deep Sequencing
- 2017
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In: Anticancer Research. - : Anticancer Research USA Inc.. - 0250-7005 .- 1791-7530. ; 37:2, s. 705-712
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mutations affecting the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) signalling pathway are frequent in human cancer and have been identified in up to 15% of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Grade A evidence supports the efficacy of MTOR inhibition with everolimus in pancreatic NETs. Although a significant proportion of patients experience disease stabilization, only a minority will show objective tumour responses. It has been proposed that genomic mutations resulting in activation of MTOR signalling could be used to predict sensitivity to everolimus.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with NETs that underwent treatment with everolimus at our Institution were identified and those with available tumour tissue were selected for further analysis. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to re-sequence 22 genes that were selected on the basis of documented involvement in the MTOR signalling pathway or in the tumourigenesis of gastroenterpancreatic NETs. Radiological responses were documented using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours.RESULTS: Six patients were identified, one had a partial response and four had stable disease. Sequencing of tumour tissue resulted in a median sequence depth of 667.1 (range=404-1301) with 1-fold coverage of 95.9-96.5% and 10-fold coverage of 87.6-92.2%. A total of 494 genetic variants were discovered, four of which were identified as pathogenic. All pathogenic variants were validated using Sanger sequencing and were found exclusively in menin 1 (MEN1) and death domain associated protein (DAXX) genes. No mutations in the MTOR pathway-related genes were observed.CONCLUSION: Targeted NGS is a feasible method with high diagnostic yield for genetic characterization of pancreatic NETs. A potential association between mutations in NETs and response to everolimus should be investigated by future studies.
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| 3. |
- Backman, Samuel, et al.
(author)
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Global DNA Methylation Analysis Identifies Two Discrete clusters of Pheochromocytoma with Distinct Genomic and Genetic Alterations
- 2017
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare and frequently heritable neural-crest derived tumours arising from the adrenal medulla or extra-adrenal chromaffin cells respectively. The majority of PPGL tumours are benign and do not recur with distant metastases. However, a sizeable fraction of these tumours secrete vasoactive catecholamines into the circulation causing a variety of symptoms including hypertension, palpitations and diaphoresis. The genetic landscape of PPGL has been well characterized and more than a dozen genes have been described as recurrently mutated. Recent studies of DNA-methylation have revealed distinct clusters of PPGL that share DNA methylation patterns and driver mutations, as well as identified potential biomarkers for malignancy. However, these findings have not been adequately validated in independent cohorts. In this study we use an array-based genome-wide approach to study the methylome of 39 PPGL and 4 normal adrenal medullae. We identified two distinct clusters of tumours characterized by different methylation patterns and different driver mutations. Moreover, we identify genes that are differentially methylated between tumour subcategories, and between tumours and normal tissue.
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| 4. |
- Backman, Samuel, et al.
(author)
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The Evolutionary History of Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours Reveals a Therapy Driven Route to High-Grade Transformation.
- 2024
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In: medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tumour evolution with acquisition of more aggressive disease characteristics is a hallmark of disseminated cancer. Metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) in particular, show frequent progression from a low/intermediate to a high-grade disease. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we performed multi-omics analysis of 32 longitudinal samples from six metastatic PanNET patients. Following MEN1 inactivation, PanNETs exhibit genetic heterogeneity on both spatial and temporal dimensions with parallel and convergent tumuor evolution involving the ATRX/DAXX and mTOR pathways. Following alkylating chemotherapy treatment, some PanNETs develop mismatch repair deficiency and acquire a hypermutator phenotype. This DNA hypermutation phenotype was only found in cases that also showed transformation into a high-grade PanNET. Overall, our findings contribute to broaden the understanding of metastatic PanNET, and suggests that therapy driven disease evolution is an important hallmark of this disease.
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| 5. |
- Backman, Samuel, et al.
(author)
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Whole genome sequencing of apparently mutation-negative MEN1 patients
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 182:1, s. 35-45
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant syndrome usually caused by loss-of-function mutations in the MEN1-gene. However, a minority of patients who fulfill the criteria for MEN1 are not found to harbor MEN1-mutations. Besides, some of these individuals, present with a subtly different phenotype suggestive of sporadic disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic architecture of mutation-negative MEN1. DESIGN:Fourteen patients with a clinical diagnosis (n=13) or suspicion (n=1) of MEN1 who had negative genetic screening of the MEN1 gene were included. METHODS:Constitutional DNA from the included patients, as well as tumor DNA from six of the patients, was subjected to whole genome sequencing. Constitutional variants were filtered against population databases and somatic variants were studied under a tumor-suppressor model. RESULTS:Three patients carried pathogenic variants (two splice-site variants, one missense variant) in MEN1 that had not been detected during routine clinical sequencing, one patient carried a pathogenic variant in CASR and one patient carried a gross deletion on chromosome 1q which included the CDC73 gene. Analysis of matched tumor DNA from six patients without mutations did not detect any recurrent genes fulfilling Knudson's two-hit model. CONCLUSION:These results highlight the possibility of germline mutations being missed in routine screening, the importance of considering phenocopies in atypical or mutation-negative cases. The absence of apparent disease-causing mutations suggests that a fraction of MEN1 mutation negative MEN1 cases may be due to the chance occurrence of several endocrine tumors in one patient.
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| 6. |
- Barbolosi, Dominique, et al.
(author)
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Mathematical modeling of disease dynamics in SDHB- and SDHD-related paraganglioma : Further step in understanding hereditary tumor differences and future therapeutic strategies.
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Succinate dehydrogenase subunit B and D (SDHB and SDHD) mutations represent the most frequent cause of hereditary pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Although truncation of the succinate dehydrogenase complex is thought to be the disease causing mechanism in both disorders, SDHB and SDHD patients exihibit different phenotypes. These phenotypic differences are currently unexplained by molecular genetics. The aim of this study is to compare disease dynamics in these two conditions via a Markov chain model based on 4 clinically-defined steady states. Our model corroborates at the population level phenotypic observations in SDHB and SDHD carriers and suggests potential explanations associated with the probabilities of disease maintenance and regression. In SDHB-related syndrome, PPGL maintenance seems to be reduced compared to SDHD (p = 0.04 vs 0.95) due to higher probability of tumor cell regression in SDHB vs SDHD (p = 0.87 vs 0.00). However, when SDHB-tumors give rise to metastases, metastatic cells are able to thrive with decreased probability of regression compared with SDHD counterparts (p = 0.17 vs 0.89). By constrast, almost all SDHD patients develop PGL (mainly head and neck) that persist throughout their lifetime. However, compared to SDHB, maintenance of metastatic lesions seems to be less effective for SDHD (p = 0.83 vs 0.11). These findings align with data suggesting that SDHD-related PPGL require less genetic events for tumor initiation and maintenance compared to those related to SDHB, but fail to initiate biology that promotes metastatic spread and metastatic cell survival in host tissues. By contrast, the higher number of genetic abnormalities required for tumor initiation and maintenance in SDHB PPGL result in a lower penetrance of PGL, but when cells give rise to metastases they are assumed to be better adapted to sustain survival. These proposed differences in disease progression dynamics between SDHB and SDHD diseases provide new cues for future exploration of SDHx PPGL behavior, offering considerations for future specific therapeutic and prevention strategies.
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| 7. |
- Björklund, Peyman, et al.
(author)
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Precision medicine in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma : current and future concepts
- 2016
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 286:6, s. 559-573
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare diseases but are also amongst the most characterized tumour types. Hence, patients with PPGL have greatly benefited from precision medicine for more than two decades. According to current molecular biology and genetics-based taxonomy, PPGL can be divided into three different clusters characterized by: Krebs cycle reprogramming with oncometabolite accumulation or depletion (group 1a); activation of the (pseudo)hypoxia signalling pathway with increased tumour cell proliferation, invasiveness and migration (group 1b); and aberrant kinase signalling causing a pro-mitogenic and anti-apoptotic state (group 2). Categorization into these clusters is highly dependent on mutation subtypes. At least 12 different syndromes with distinct genetic causes, phenotypes and outcomes have been described. Genetic screening tests have a documented benefit, as different PPGL syndromes require specific approaches for optimal diagnosis and localization of various syndrome-related tumours. Genotype-tailored treatment options, follow-up and preventive care are being investigated. Future new developments in precision medicine for PPGL will mainly focus on further identification of driver mechanisms behind both disease initiation and malignant progression. Identification of novel druggable targets and prospective validation of treatment options are eagerly awaited. To achieve these goals, we predict that collaborative large-scale studies will be needed: Pheochromocytoma may provide an example for developing precision medicine in orphan diseases that could ultimately aid in similar efforts for other rare conditions.
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| 8. |
- Botling, Johan, et al.
(author)
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High-grade progression confers poor survival in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- 2020
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In: Neuroendocrinology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0028-3835 .- 1423-0194. ; 110:11-12, s. 891-898
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Little is known about how Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PanNETs) evolve over time and if changes towards a more aggressive biology correlates with prognosis. The purpose of this study was to characterize changes PanNET differentiation and proliferation over time, and to correlate findings to overall survival (OS).PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study we screened 475 PanNET patients treated at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden. Sporadic patients with baseline and follow-up tumor samples were included. Pathology reports and available tissue sections were re-evaluated with regard to tumor histopathology and Ki-67 index.RESULTS: Forty-six patients with 106 tumor samples (56 available for pathology re-evaluation) were included. Median Ki-67 index at diagnosis was 7% (range 1-38%), grade 1 n=8, grade 2 n=36, and grade 3 n=2. The median change in Ki-67 index (absolute value; follow-up - baseline) was +14% (range -11 to +80%). Increase in tumor grade occurred in 28 patients (63.6%), the majority from grade 1/2 to grade 3 (n=24, 54.5%). The patients with a high-grade progression had a median OS of 50.2 months compared to 115.1 months in patients without such progression (HR 3.89, 95% CI 1.91-7.94, P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: A longitudinal increase in Ki-67 index and increase in tumor grade were observed in a majority of PanNETs included in this study. We propose that increase in Ki-67 index and high-grade progression should be investigated further as important biomarkers in PanNET.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Adrenocortical carcinoma : towards genomics guided clinical care
- 2019
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In: Nature Reviews Endocrinology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1759-5029 .- 1759-5037. ; 15:9, s. 548-560
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive and rare neoplasm that originates in the cortex of the adrenal gland. The disease is associated with heterogeneous but mostly poor outcomes and lacks effective pharmaceutical treatment options. Multi-omics studies have defined the landscape of molecular alterations in ACC. Specific molecular signatures can be detected in body fluids, potentially enabling improved diagnostic applications for patients with adrenal tumours. Importantly, pan-molecular data sets further reveal a spectrum within ACC, with three major subgroups that have different disease outcomes. These new subgroups have value as prognostic biomarkers. Research has revealed that the p53-RB and the WNT-beta-catenin pathways are common disease drivers in ACC. However, these pathways remain difficult to target by therapeutic interventions. Instead, a unique characteristic of ACC is steroidogenic differentiation, which has emerged as a potential treatment target, with several agents undergoing preclinical or clinical investigations. Finally, a large proportion of ACC tumours have genetic profiles that are associated with promising therapeutic responsiveness in other cancers. All these opportunities now await translation from the laboratory into the clinical setting, thereby offering a real potential of improved survival outcomes and increased quality of life for patients with this serious condition.
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| 11. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Advances in adrenal tumors 2018
- 2018
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In: Endocrine-Related Cancer. - 1351-0088 .- 1479-6821. ; 25:7, s. R405-R420
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with a condensed update on the most important studies in the field during 2017. We present the academic output measured by active clinical trials and peer-reviewed published manuscripts. The most important and contributory manuscripts were summarized for each diagnostic entity, with a particular focus on manuscripts that describe translational research that have the potential to improve clinical care. Finally, we highlight the importance of collaborations in adrenal tumor research, which allowed for these recent advances and provide structures for future success in this scientific field.
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| 12. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Bioinformatic Challenges in Clinical Diagnostic Application of Targeted Next Generation Sequencing : Experience from Pheochromocytoma
- 2015
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 10:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Recent studies have demonstrated equal quality of targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) compared to Sanger Sequencing. Whereas these novel sequencing processes have a validated robust performance, choice of enrichment method and different available bioinformatic software as reliable analysis tool needs to be further investigated in a diagnostic setting. Methods DNA from 21 patients with genetic variants in SDHB, VHL, EPAS1, RET, (n=17) or clinical criteria of NF1 syndrome (n=4) were included. Targeted NGS was performed using Truseq custom amplicon enrichment sequenced on an Illumina MiSEQ instrument. Results were analysed in parallel using three different bioinformatics pipelines; (1) Commercially available MiSEQ Reporter, fully automatized and integrated software, (2) CLC Genomics Workbench, graphical interface based software, also commercially available, and ICP (3) an in-house scripted custom bioinformatic tool. Results A tenfold read coverage was achieved in between 95-98% of targeted bases. All workflows had alignment of reads to SDHA and NF1 pseudogenes. Compared to Sanger sequencing, variant calling revealed a sensitivity ranging from 83 to 100% and a specificity of 99.9-100%. Only MiSEQ reporter identified all pathogenic variants in both sequencing runs. Conclusions We conclude that targeted next generation sequencing have equal quality compared to Sanger sequencing. Enrichment specificity and the bioinformatic performance need to be carefully assessed in a diagnostic setting. As acceptable accuracy was noted for a fully automated bioinformatic workflow, we suggest that processing of NGS data could be performed without expert bioinformatics skills utilizing already existing commercially available bioinformatics tools.
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| 13. |
- Crona, Joakim
(author)
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Charting the Genetic Landscape and Clonal Architectures of Pheochromocytoma
- 2014
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Genotypic and phenotypic inter patient heterogeneity characterize pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Up to 60% of PPGL are associated with either somatic or germline mutations in at least 14 established disease causing genes. Consequently, a comprehensive screening test for PPGL patients utilizing standard techniques is not feasible and in the diagnostic approach, multiple different phenotype guided gene prioritization protocols have been utilized. This may result in misdiagnosis, especially in patients with sporadic presentation. Diagnostic testing of somatic mutations in tumour material is not performed due to the lack of actionable results.The aims of this study were, (1) to investigate the use of novel sequencing techniques in a clinical application, (2) to discover novel PPGL disease causing loci using novel sequencing techniques, (3) to characterize a large cohort of PPGL for mutations in known disease causing genes and to analyse corresponding genotype-phenotype correlations, (4) to dissect the molecular and genetic landscape of MEN2 PPGL and (5) to determine the clonal architecture and heterogeneity within, and in-between matched PPGL.For these purposes we studied PPGL tumours from a total of 96 patients using targeted and/or whole exome enrichment, capillary and high throughput sequencing as well as genome wide array based genotyping. Novel bioinformatics pipelines were constructed for raw data processing and downstream interpretation. Quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were utilized in order to characterize molecular traits. Selected experimental findings were correlated to patient phenotype.We conclude that novel sequencing techniques could be utilized in clinical genetic screening of patients with PPGL. Somatic gain-of-function mutations in H-RAS are likely to contribute to disease pathogenesis. Analysing tumour DNA for somatic mutations in disease causing genes could provide relevant clinical information and have an impact on patient management. Concomitant mutations in PPGL may occur in exceptional cases and have a substantial impact on tumour biology and patient phenotype. And finally genetic heterogeneity is present between and within a majority of PPGL tumours.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Temozolomide in Patients with Metastatic Bronchial Carcinoids
- 2013
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In: Neuroendocrinology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0028-3835 .- 1423-0194. ; 98:2, s. 151-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Metastatic bronchial carcinoids are rare neoplasms, where efforts of medical treatment so far have been disappointing. A previous study from our center indicated that temozolomide might be of value. Materials and Methods: All patients with progressive metastatic bronchial carcinoid treated with tennozolomide as monotherapy at our center between 2004 and 2010 (n = 31) were included in this retrospective study. 14 tumors were classified as typical and 15 as atypical carcinoids, whereas 2 tumors could not be classified. Temozolomide was given on 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks. Toxicity was evaluable in 28 of 31 patients, and 22 patients were evaluable by RECIST 1.1. Results: There were no complete responses. A partial response was seen in 3 patients (14%), stable disease in 11(52%) and progressive disease in 7 patients (33%). Median progression-free survival was 5.3 months and median overall survival was 23.2 months from the start of temozolomide. Toxcities grade 3-4 were noted in 4 patients, thrombocytopenia (n =3) and leukopenia (n = 1). Conclusion: Temozolomide as monotherapy shows activity in metastatic bronchial carcinoids. Regimens combining tennozolomide with other agents (e.g. capecitabine and/or bevacizumab, everolimus, radiolabeled somatostatin analogues) should be further studied in these patients. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
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| 16. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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ENSAT registry-based randomized clinical trials for adrenocortical carcinoma
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Bioscientifica. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 184:2, s. R51-R59
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an orphan disease lacking effective systemic treatment options. The low incidence of the disease and high cost of clinical trials are major obstacles in the search for improved treatment strategies. As a novel approach, registry-based clinical trials have been introduced in clinical research, so allowing for significant cost reduction, but without compromising scientific benefit. Herein, we describe how the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) could transform its current registry into one fit for a clinical trial infrastructure. The rationale to perform randomized registry-based trials in ACC is outlined including an analysis of relevant limitations and challenges. We summarize a survey on this concept among ENSAT members who expressed a strong interest in the concept and rated its scientific potential as high. Legal aspects, including ethical approval of registry-based randomization were identified as potential obstacles. Finally, we describe three potential randomized registry-based clinical trials in an adjuvant setting and for advanced disease with a high potential to be executed within the framework of an advanced ENSAT registry. Thus we, therefore, provide the basis for future registry-based trials for ACC patients. This could ultimately provide proof-of-principle of how to perform more effective randomized trials for an orphan disease.
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| 17. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Genetics of neuroendocrine tumors
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 174:6, s. R275-R290
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, arising from neuroendocrine cells that are dispersed throughout the body. Around 20% of NETs occur in the context of a genetic syndrome. Today there are at least ten recognized NET syndromes. This includes the classical syndromes: multiple endocrine neoplasias types 1 and 2, and von Hippel-Lindau and neurofibromatosis type 1. Additional susceptibility genes associated with a smaller fraction of NETs have also been identified. Recognizing genetic susceptibility has proved essential both to provide genetic counseling and to give the best preventive care. In this review we will also discuss the knowledge of somatic genetic alterations in NETs. At least 24 genes have been implicated as drivers of neuroendocrine tumorigenesis, and the overall rates of genomic instability are relatively low. Genetic intra-tumoral, as well as inter-tumoral heterogeneity in the same patient, have also been identified. Together these data point towards the common pathways in NET evolution, separating early from late disease drivers. Although knowledge of specific mutations in NETs has limited impact on actual patient management, we predict that in the near future genomic profiling of tumors will be included in the clinical arsenal for diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutic decisions.
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| 18. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Genotype-phenotype correlations in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma : a systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis
- 2019
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In: Endocrine-Related Cancer. - : BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD. - 1351-0088 .- 1479-6821. ; 26:5, s. 539-550
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) can be divided into at least four molecular subgroups. Whether such categorizations are independent factors for prognosis or metastatic disease is unknown. We performed a systematic review and individual patient meta-analysis aiming to estimate if driver mutation status can predict metastatic disease and survival. Driver mutations were used to categorize patients according to three different molecular systems: two subgroups (SDHB mutated or wild type), three subgroups (pseudohypoxia, kinase signaling or Wnt/unknown) and four subgroups (tricarboxylic acid cycle, VHL/EPAS1, kinase signaling or Wnt/unknown). Twenty-one studies and 703 patients were analyzed. Multivariate models for association with metastasis showed correlation with SDHB mutation (OR 5.68 (95% CI 1.79-18.06)) as well as norepinephrine (OR 3.01 (95% CI 1.02-8.79)) and dopa mine (OR 6.39 (95% CI 1.62-25.24)) but not to PPGL location. Other molecular systems were not associated with metastasis. In multivariate models for association with survival, age (HR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02-1.06)) and metastases (HR 6.13 (95% CI 2.86-13.13)) but neither paraganglioma nor SDHB mutation remained significant. Other molecular subgroups did not correlate with survival. We conclude that molecular categorization accordingly to SDHB provided independent information on the risk of metastasis. Driver mutations status did not correlate independently with survival. These data may ultimately be used to guide current and future risk stratification of PPGL.
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| 19. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Integrative Genetic Characterization and Phenotype Correlations in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Tumours
- 2014
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:1, s. e86756-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: About 60% of Pheochromocytoma (PCC) and Paraganglioma (PGL) patients have either germline or somatic mutations in one of the 12 proposed disease causing genes; SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2, VHL, EPAS1, RET, NF1, TMEM127, MAX and H-RAS. Selective screening for germline mutations is routinely performed in clinical management of these diseases. Testing for somatic alterations is not performed on a regular basis because of limitations in interpreting the results. Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate genetic events and phenotype correlations in a large cohort of PCC and PGL tumours. Methods: A total of 101 tumours from 89 patients with PCC and PGL were re-sequenced for a panel of 10 disease causing genes using automated Sanger sequencing. Selected samples were analysed with Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification and/or SNParray. Results: Pathogenic genetic variants were found in tumours from 33 individual patients (37%), 14 (16%) were discovered in constitutional DNA and 16 (18%) were confirmed as somatic. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was observed in 1/1 SDHB, 11/11 VHL and 3/3 NF1-associated tumours. In patients with somatic mutations there were no recurrences in contrast to carriers of germline mutations (P = 0.022). SDHx/VHL/ EPAS1 associated cases had higher norepinephrine output (P = 0.03) and lower epinephrine output (P<0.001) compared to RET/NF1/H-RAS cases. Conclusion: Somatic mutations are frequent events in PCC and PGL tumours. Tumour genotype may be further investigated as prognostic factors in these diseases. Growing evidence suggest that analysis of tumour DNA could have an impact on the management of these patients.
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| 20. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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MAX mutations status in Swedish patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma tumours
- 2014
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In: Familial Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1389-9600 .- 1573-7292. ; 13:1, s. 121-125
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pheochromocytoma (PCC) and Paraganglioma are rare tumours originating from neuroendocrine cells. Up to 60 % of cases have either germline or somatic mutation in one of eleven described susceptibility loci, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, SDHAF2, VHL, EPAS1, RET, NF1, TMEM127 and MYC associated factor-X (MAX). Recently, germline mutations in MAX were found to confer susceptibility to PCC and paraganglioma (PGL). A subsequent multicentre study found about 1 % of PCCs and PGLs to have germline or somatic mutations in MAX. However, there has been no study investigating the frequency of MAX mutations in a Scandinavian cohort. We analysed tumour specimens from 63 patients with PCC and PGL treated at Uppsala University hospital, Sweden, for re-sequencing of MAX using automated Sanger sequencing. Our results show that 0 % (0/63) of tumours had mutations in MAX. Allele frequencies of known single nucleotide polymorphisms rs4902359, rs45440292, rs1957948 and rs1957949 corresponded to those available in the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Database. We conclude that MAX mutations remain unusual events and targeted genetic screening should be considered after more common genetic events have been excluded.
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| 21. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Metastases from Neuroendocrine Tumors to the Breast Are More Common than Previously Thought. A Diagnostic Pitfall?
- 2013
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In: World Journal of Surgery. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0364-2313 .- 1432-2323. ; 37:7, s. 1701-1706
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metastases from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) to the breast have been described as a rare phenomenon. Presentation, imaging results, and cytopathologic findings of these tumours may closely mimic those of a mammary carcinoma. This study was a retrospective review of 661 patients with metastatic NETs, of whom 280 were females, treated at Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Patients with pathological breast lesions were identified. Histopathological slides from available NET breast lesions were analyzed for mammary carcinoma and neuroendocrine markers. We have identified 20 female patients with NET metastases to the breast, 11/235 with small intestinal NETs, 8/55 with lung NETs, and 1/6 with thymic NETs. There were no male patients with NET metastatic to the breast. Four patients had their breast lesion initially diagnosed as mammary carcinoma. Retrospectively, these lesions showed negative staining for mammary carcinoma markers. Metastases to the breast from neuroendocrine tumors may be more common than previously thought. Patients with a lesion to the breast and symptoms typical for NET may benefit from additional histopathological investigation, because NET metastases and mammary carcinoma have different immunohistochemical profiles.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Multiple and Secondary Hormone Secretion in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours
- 2016
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 101:2, s. 445-452
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CONTEXT:As a group, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) secrete many different peptide hormones, yet heretofore each NET patient is typically thought to produce at most one hormone that causes a distinct hormonal syndrome. A minority of patients have multiple hormones at diagnosis and may also develop secondary hormone secretion at a later stage.OBJECTIVES:The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency and to describe the impact of multiple and secondary hormone secretion in sporadic gasteroenteropancreatic NET patients.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:This was a retrospective analysis of patients (n = 972) with gasteroenteropancreatic NET treated at Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Patients with the secretion of multiple hormones at diagnosis and/or those developing secondary hormone secretion during the disease course were identified and studied in further detail.RESULTS:In pancreatic NETs (PNETs), a total of 19 of 323 patients (6%) had secretion of multiple hormones at diagnosis, and 14 of 323 (4%) had secondary changes during the disease course. These phenomena occurred exclusively in patients with an advanced disease stage, and secondary hormones were detected in a close time span with progressive disease. Patients with secondary insulin hypersecretion had increased morbidity as well as reduced survival (P < .002). In contrast, multiple and secondary hormone secretion was rarely seen in NETs of the small intestine with 0 and 1 of 603 cases, respectively.CONCLUSION:Diversity of PNET hormone secretion either at diagnosis or during the disease course occurred in a minority of patients (9.3%). These phenomena had a major impact on patient outcome both through increased morbidity and mortality. Our results support that patients with metastatic PNETs should be monitored for clinical symptoms of secondary hormone secretion during the disease course.
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- Crona, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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New Perspectives on Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma : Toward a Molecular Classification
- 2017
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In: Endocrine reviews. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0163-769X .- 1945-7189. ; 38:6, s. 489-515
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A molecular biology-based taxonomy has been proposed for pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas revealed clinically relevant prognostic and predictive biomarkers and stratified PPGLs into three main clusters. Each subgroup has a distinct molecular-biochemical-imaging signature. Concurrently, new methods for biochemical analysis, functional imaging, and medical therapies have also become available. The research community now strives to match the cluster biomarkers with the best intervention. The concept of precision medicine has been long awaited and holds great promise for improved care. Here, we review the current and future PPGL classifications, with a focus on hereditary syndromes. We discuss the current strengths and shortcomings of precision medicine and suggest a condensed manual for diagnosis and treatment of both adult and pediatric patients with PPGL. Finally, we consider the future direction of this field, with a particular focus on how advanced molecular characterization of PPGL can improve a patient's outcome, including cures and, ultimately, disease prevention.
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