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Biomedical subjects

Martin Schlumberger

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Schlumberger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene expression is the limiting step for the onset of thyroid function in the human fetus.

CONTEXT: Terminal differentiation of the human thyroid is characterized by the onset of follicle formation and thyroid hormone synthesis at 11 gestational weeks (GW). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the ontogeny of thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), pendrin (PDS), dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2), thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TITF1), forkhead box E1 (FOXE1), and paired box gene 8 (PAX8) in the developing human thyroid. DESIGN: Thyroid tissues from human embryos and fetuses (7-33 GW; n = 45) were analyzed by quantitative PCR to monitor mRNA expression for each gene and by immunohistochemistry to determine the cellular distribution of TITF1, TSHR, Tg, TPO, NIS, and the onset of T4 production. A broken line regression model was fitted for each gene to compare the loglinear increase in expression before and after the onset of T4 synthesis. RESULTS: TITF1, FOXE1, PAX8, TSHR, and DUOX2 were stably expressed from 7 to 33 GW. Tg, TPO, and PDS expression was detectable as early as 7 GW and was correlated with gestational age (all, P < 0.01), and the slope of the regression line was significantly different before and after the onset of T4 synthesis at 11 GW (all, P < 0.01). NIS expression appeared last and showed the highest fit by the broken line regression model of all genes (correlation age P < 0.0001, broken line regression P < 0.0001). Immunohistochemical studies detected TITF1, TSHR, and Tg in unpolarized thyrocytes before follicle formation. T(4) and NIS labeling were only found in developing follicles from 11 GW on. CONCLUSION: These results imply a key role of NIS for the onset of human thyroid function.

Female↗

Prognostic parameters of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Prognostic parameters of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) are poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe the clinical presentation of metastatic ACC and determine prognostic factors for survival. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study (1988-2004). SETTING: The study was conducted in an institutional practice. PATIENTS: Participants included 124 consecutive patients with metastatic ACC, 70 from Gustave-Roussy Institute (main cohort) and 54 patients from the Cochin Hospital (validation cohort). Clinical data concerning all patients, histopathologic slides of primary tumors (44 in the main cohort and 40 in the validation cohort), and molecular biology data on 15 primary tumors (main cohort) were analyzed. INTERVENTION: There was no intervention. MAIN OUTCOME: The main outcome was the specific survival after discovery of the first metastasis (Kaplan-Meier method). This included univariate analysis on the main cohort, confirmed on the validation cohort and then analyzed in a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In the main cohort, overall median survival was 20 months. In univariate analysis, the presence of hepatic and bone metastases, the number of metastatic lesions and the number of tumoral organs at the time of the first metastasis, a high mitotic rate (>20 per 50 high-power field), and atypical mitoses in the primary tumor predicted survival (P = 0.05, 0.003, 0.046, 0.001, 0.01, and < 0.001, respectively). The number of tumoral organs and a high mitotic rate were confirmed on the validation cohort (P = 0.009 and 0.03, respectively). These two parameters were confirmed in multivariate analysis (P = 0.0058 and 0.049). CONCLUSION: Metastatic ACC is a heterogeneous disease with poor outcome. The combination of the number of tumoral organs at the time of the first metastasis and the mitotic rate can predict different outcomes.

Adolescent↗

A comparison of short-term changes in health-related quality of life in thyroid carcinoma patients undergoing diagnostic evaluation with recombinant human thyrotropin compared with thyroid hormone withdrawal.

CONTEXT: Thyroid carcinoma requires lifelong monitoring with serum thyroglobulin, radioactive iodine whole body scanning, and other imaging modalities. Levothyroxine (L-T4) withdrawal for thyroglobulin measurement and whole body scanning increases these tests' sensitivities but causes hypothyroidism. Recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) enables testing without L-T4 withdrawal. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine the impact of short-term hypothyroidism on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients after rhTSH vs. L-T4 withdrawal. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: In this multicenter study, the SF-36 Health Survey was administered to 228 patients at three time points: on L-T4, after rhTSH, and after L-T4 withdrawal. INTERVENTIONS: INTERVENTIONS included administration of rhTSH on L-T4 and withdrawal from thyroid hormone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean SF-36 scores were compared during the two interventions and with the U.S. general population and patients with heart failure, depression, and migraine headache. RESULTS: Patients had SF-36 scores at or above the norm for the general U.S. population in six of eight domains at baseline on L-T4 and in seven of eight domains after rhTSH. Patients' scores declined significantly in all eight domains after L-T4 withdrawal when compared with the other two periods (P < 0.0001). Patients' HRQOL scores while on L-T4 and after rhTSH were at or above those for patients with heart failure, depression, and migraine in all eight domains. After L-T4 withdrawal, patients' HRQOL scores were significantly below congestive heart failure, depression, and migraine headache norms in six, three, and six of the eight domains, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term hypothyroidism after L-T4 withdrawal is associated with a significant decline in quality of life that is abrogated by rhTSH use.

Female↗

Rapidly progressing high o,p'DDD doses shorten the time required to reach the therapeutic threshold with an acceptable tolerance: preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that the therapeutic threshold of mitotane, plasma level above 14 microg/ml, is achieved within 3-5 months after o,p'DDD treatment initiation in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We evaluated pharmacokinetic and tolerance of a high-dose schedule of pure o,p'DDD treatment given in 500-mg tablets of mitotane (Lysodren, Bristol-Myers Squibb, HRA Pharma, Paris, France) in four patients with ACC and two patients with Cushing's syndrome-related endocrine tumours. It was administered at a starting dosage of 3 g/day, which was rapidly increased to 6-9 g/day within 2 weeks according to digestive tolerance and then adjusted according to tolerance and plasma o,p'DDD monitoring. Patients were followed up until they reached the therapeutic threshold of mitotane, and toxicity was recorded. A relationship between o,p'DDD dose and plasma level was sought. RESULTS: The highest starting dosage given ranged between 6 and 9 g a day, during the first two weeks. The daily maintenance dose ranged 4.5-9 g during the next 2 weeks and 3-9 g by the second month of treatment. The therapeutic threshold was reached in all four patients who received o,p'DDD treatment for at least 1 month. Among these four patients, the toxic threshold (plasma mitotane level > 20 microg/ml) was even reached at 6 weeks of therapy in three patients. Grade 1, 2 or 3 toxicity was observed in 3, 2 and 1 patients, respectively. Toxicity resolved after reduction or discontinuation of o,p'DDD therapy. A significant linear correlation was found between plasma mitotane dose and plasma level. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a high-dose o,p'DDD therapeutic schedule is feasible with an acceptable toxicity and may shorten the time required to reach the therapeutic schedule from 3-5 months to 4 weeks. These patients require a close follow-up, combining clinical and plasma o,p'DDD level monitoring every second week. A confirmatory study is ongoing.

Adrenocortical Carcinoma↗

HEX, PAX-8 and TTF-1 gene expression in human thyroid tissues: a comparative analysis with other genes involved in iodide metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Benign and malignant thyroid tumours are characterized by alterations of the expression level of thyroid-specific genes involved in the iodide metabolism. Imbalance in the levels of transcription factors has been recognized as a critical molecular event in the development of neoplasm. The delineation of eventual correlations existing between the expression of transcription factors and of putative target genes in physiological and pathological conditions could be relevant to better understand tumorigenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined the expression levels of transcription factors involved in thyroid development [thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), paired box gene 8 (PAX-8) and haematopoietically expressed homeobox (HEX)] in 101 thyroid tissues, including 14 normal thyroid tissues, 13 hyperfunctioning tissues, 27 benign adenomas and 47 follicular or papillary carcinomas. Then, we compared their expression levels with those of thyroid-specific genes involved in iodide metabolism. RESULTS: In benign tumours, PAX-8 and TTF-1 gene expression levels were not significantly different from the expression levels in normal tissues. However, a significant decrease was found in carcinomas. Interestingly, HEX gene expression was significantly decreased in both hyper- and hypofunctioning benign tissues and also in carcinomas. Expression levels of Pendred syndrome (PDS), natrium iodine symporter (NIS), thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and dual oxidase 1 or 2 (DUOX2) genes were significantly correlated with the expression of PAX-8 and with that of HEX. Expression level of TTF-1 was weakly correlated only with the expression levels of PDS and DUOX2. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that alterations in the transcription factors PAX-8, TTF-1 and HEX gene expression, by acting individually or together, have a role in both thyroidal tumorigenesis and in the dedifferentiation process.

Case-Control Studies↗

Iodine biokinetics and dosimetry in radioiodine therapy of thyroid cancer: procedures and results of a prospective international controlled study of ablation after rhTSH or hormone withdrawal.

UNLABELLED: Technical aspects and results of the dosimetric assessments of postoperative radioiodine ablation in the framework of an international, prospective, controlled, randomized, comparative study of the effectiveness of ablation therapy with 3.7 GBq (131)I in differentiated thyroid cancer after stimulation with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) or by thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) are presented. METHODS: Sixty-three patients were randomized after thyroidectomy to either the THW or the rhTSH group. Scintigraphic neck images were acquired starting 48 h after radioiodine administration to assess biokinetics in the thyroid remnant. The activity in blood samples was quantified and data from whole-body probe measurements and scintigraphic whole-body scans were combined to deduce retention curves in blood and whole body, respectively. The absorbed dose to the blood was calculated using a modified approach based on the formalism of the MIRD Committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. RESULTS: The effective half-time in the remnant thyroid tissue was significantly longer after rhTSH than THW (67.6 +/- 48.8 vs. 48.0 +/- 52.6 h, respectively; P = 0.01), whereas the observed differences of the mean 48-h (131)I uptakes (0.5% +/- 0.7% vs. 0.9% +/- 1.0% after THW; P = 0.1) and residence times (0.9 +/- 1.3 vs. 1.4 +/- 1.5 h after THW; P = 0.1) between the rhTSH and THW groups were not statistically significant. The specific absorbed dose to the blood was significantly (P <0.0001) lower after administration of rhTSH (mean, 0.109 +/- 0.028 mGy/MBq; maximum, 0.18 mGy/MBq) than after THW (mean, 0.167 +/- 0.061 mGy/MBq; maximum, 0.35 mGy/MBq), indicating that higher activities of radioiodine might be safely administered after exogenous stimulation with rhTSH. CONCLUSION: Indication of an influence of the residence time of radioiodine in the blood on the fractional uptake into thyroid remnant was found. A novel regimen is proposed in which therapeutic activities to be administered are determined from the individual specific blood dose.

Adult↗

Genetic testing in pheochromocytoma or functional paraganglioma.

PURPOSE: To assess the yield and the clinical value of systematic screening of susceptibility genes for patients with pheochromocytoma (pheo) or functional paraganglioma (pgl). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 314 patients with a pheo or a functional pgl, including 56 patients having a family history and/or a syndromic presentation and 258 patients having an apparently sporadic presentation. Clinical data and blood samples were collected, and all five major pheo-pgl susceptibility genes (RET, VHL, SDHB, SDHD, and SDHC) were screened. Neurofibromatosis type 1 was diagnosed from phenotypic criteria. RESULTS: We have identified 86 patients (27.4%) with a hereditary tumor. Among the 56 patients with a family/syndromic presentation, 13 have had neurofibromatosis type 1, and germline mutations on the VHL, RET, SDHD, and SDHB genes were present in 16, 15, nine, and three patients, respectively. Among the 258 patients with an apparently sporadic presentation, 30 (11.6%) had a germline mutation (18 patients on SDHB, nine patients on VHL, two patients on SDHD, and one patient on RET). Mutation carriers were younger and more frequently had bilateral or extra-adrenal tumors. In patients with an SDHB mutation, the tumors were larger, more frequently extra-adrenal, and malignant. CONCLUSION: Genetic testing oriented by family/sporadic presentation should be proposed to all patients with pheo or functional pgl. We suggest an algorithm that would allow the confirmation of suspected inherited disease as well as the diagnosis of unexpected inherited disease.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic factors for persistent or recurrent disease of papillary thyroid carcinoma with neck lymph node metastases and/or tumor extension beyond the thyroid capsule at initial diagnosis.

CONTEXT: Reliable prognostic factors are needed in papillary thyroid cancer patients to adapt initial therapy and follow-up schemes to the risks of persistent and recurrent disease. OBJECTIVE AND SETTINGS: To evaluate the respective prognostic impact of the extent of lymph node (LN) involvement and tumor extension beyond the thyroid capsule, we studied a group of 148 consecutive papillary thyroid cancer patients with LN metastases and/or extrathyroidal tumor extension. Initial treatment, performed at the Institut Gustave Roussy between 1987 and 1997, included in all patients a total thyroidectomy with central and ipsilateral en bloc neck dissection followed by radioactive iodine ablation. RESULTS: Uptake outside the thyroid bed, demonstrating persistent disease, was found on the postablation total body scan (TBS) in 22% of the patients. With a mean follow-up of 8 yr, eight patients (7%) with a normal postablation TBS experienced a recurrence. Ten-year disease-specific survival rate was 99% (confidence interval, 97-100%). Significant risk factors for persistent disease included the numbers of LN metastases (>10) and LN metastases with extracapsular extension (ECE-LN >3), tumor size (>4 cm), and LN metastases location (central). Significant risk factors for recurrent disease included the numbers of LN metastases (>10), ECE-LN (>3), and thyroglobulin level measured 6-12 months after initial treatment after T4 withdrawal. CONCLUSION: We highlight an excellent survival rate and suggest risk classifications of persistent and recurrent disease based on the numbers of LN metastases and ECE-LN, LN metastases location, tumor size, and thyroglobulin level.

Adolescent↗

Radiation exposure and familial aggregation of cancers as risk factors for colorectal cancer after radioiodine treatment for thyroid carcinoma.

PURPOSE: In thyroid cancer patients, radioiodine treatment has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of colon carcinoma. The aim of this study in thyroid cancer patients was to evaluate the role of familial factors in the risk of colorectal cancer and their potential interaction with radioiodine exposure. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a case-control study on 15 colorectal cancer patients and 76 matched control subjects, nested in a cohort of 3708 thyroid cancer patients treated between 1933 and 1998. For each patient, the radiation dose delivered to the colon by radioiodine was estimated by use of standard tables. In those who received external radiation therapy, the average radiation doses delivered to the colon and rectum were estimated by use of DOS_Eg software. A complete familial history was obtained by face-to-face interviews, and a familial index was defined to evaluate the degree of familial aggregation. RESULTS: The risk of colorectal cancer increased with familial aggregation of colorectal cancer (p = 0.02). After adjustment for the radiation dose delivered to the colon and rectum, the risk of colorectal cancer was 2.8-fold higher (95% CI, 1.0-8.0) for patients with at least one relative affected by colorectal cancer than for patients without such a family history (p = 0.05). The radiation dose delivered to the colon and rectum by (131)I and external radiation therapy was associated with an increase of risk near the significance threshold (p = 0.1). No significant interaction was found between radiation dose and having an affected relative (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The role of familial background in the risk of colorectal cancer following a differentiated thyroid carcinoma appears to increase with the radiation dose delivered to the colon and rectum. However, the study population was small and no interaction was found between these two factors.

Algorithms↗

Follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer in children.

Thyroid carcinoma is a rare disease in childhood. The only known causative factor is radiation exposure during childhood. Most cases can be cured by surgery and eventually radioiodine. The aim of initial treatment should be the total removal of neoplastic foci with a minimal morbidity. Some cancer-related deaths have been reported decades after initial treatment.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Clinical review: Current concepts in the management of unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to provide an update on the pathophysiological concepts and patient management in a common complication of thyroid surgery, unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (URLNP). METHOD: Recent publications in physiology and head and neck surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Even for experienced surgeons, URLNP may occur after thyroid surgery, especially for thyroid cancer and in case of reoperation. URLNP is frequently well tolerated but may be life threatening by inducing aspiration pneumonia. Permanent URLNP may decrease quality of life by decreasing voice quality and increasing vocal effort. Spontaneous recovery of vocal function, with or without full recovery of vocal fold motion, may occur due to spontaneous axonal regrowth or other neurological phenomena. In the last decade, several surgical techniques have been developed to treat aspiration and poor voice quality due to URLNP by medialization of the paralyzed vocal fold. These techniques are simple, have a low complication rate, and are highly efficient in eliminating aspiration and improving voice quality and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The voice and swallowing handicap caused by URLNP may be efficiently treated by safe and simple techniques. The possibility to improve the quality of life should be proposed to all patients with symptomatic URLNP.

Humans↗

Detection of liver metastases from endocrine tumors: a prospective comparison of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To compare the respective sensitivity of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of liver metastases from well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumor (WDGEP ET) patients. To define predictive factors for "high-sensitivity SRS." PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with WDGEP ET underwent SRS with abdominal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), spiral CT, and 1.5-T MRI within a 15-day interval, the order of which was randomized. Two readers analyzed images of each modality, blindly and independently. RESULTS: Hepatic metastases were present in 40 of the 64 patients and confirmed by pathology after liver biopsy or surgery in 32 and eight patients, respectively. SRS, CT, and MRI detected a total of 204, 325, and 394 metastases, respectively. The number of detected metastases was significantly higher with MRI than with CT (P = .02) and SRS (P < 10(-4)) and higher with CT than with SRS (P < 10(-4)). SRS was negative in seven patients with a positive CT and/or MRI. More lesions were detected in 10 patients by SPECT compared with static views. The median metastasis size was significantly correlated (P = .04) with the sensitivity of SRS. CONCLUSION: MRI seems to have an edge over CT and SRS for the detection of liver metastases from endocrine tumors. We recommend the systematic performance of liver MRI at WDGEP ET initial staging and before major therapeutic events. The low performance of SRS was mainly explained by the impact of the metastasis size on the detection capacity of SRS.

Adolescent↗

Follicular thyroid tumors with the PAX8-PPARgamma1 rearrangement display characteristic genetic alterations.

Follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) arise through oncogenic pathways distinct from those involved in the papillary histotype. Recently, a t(2;3)(q13;p25) rearrangement, which juxtaposes the thyroid transcription factor PAX8 to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma1, was described in FTCs. In this report, we describe gene expression in 11 normal tissues, 4 adenomas, and 8 FTCs, with or without the PAX8-PPARgamma1 translocation, using custom 60-mer oligonucleotide microarrays. Results were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of 65 thyroid tissues and by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis revealed a pattern of 93 genes discriminating FTCs, with or without the translocation, that were morphologically undistinguishable. Although the expression of thyroid-specific genes was detectable, none appeared to be differentially regulated between tumors with or without the translocation. Differentially expressed genes included genes related to lipid/glucose/amino acid metabolism, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. Surprisingly, several PPARgamma target genes were up-regulated in PAX8-PPARgamma-positive FTCs such as angiopoietin-like 4 and aquaporin 7. Moreover many genes involved in PAX8-PPARgamma expression profile presented a putative PPARgamma-promoter site, compatible with a direct activity of the fusion product. These data identify several differentially expressed genes, such as FGD3, that may serve as potential targets of PPARgamma and as members of novel molecular pathways involved in the development of thyroid carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Thyroid-hormone therapy and thyroid cancer: a reassessment.

Experimental studies and clinical data have demonstrated that thyroid-cell proliferation is dependent on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thereby providing the rationale for TSH suppression as a treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer. Several reports have shown that hormone-suppressive treatment with the L-enantiomer of tetraiodothyronine (L-T(4)) benefits high-risk thyroid cancer patients by decreasing progression and recurrence rates, and cancer-related mortality. Evidence suggests, however, that complex regulatory mechanisms (including both TSH-dependent and TSH-independent pathways) are involved in thyroid-cell regulation. Indeed, no significant improvement has been obtained by suppressing TSH in patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. Moreover, TSH suppression implies a state of subclinical thyrotoxicosis. In low-risk patients, the goal of L-T(4) treatment is therefore to obtain a TSH level in the normal range (0.5-2.5 mU/l). Only selected patients with high-risk papillary and follicular thyroid cancer require long-term TSH-suppressive doses of L-T(4). In these patients, careful monitoring is necessary to avoid undesirable effects on bone and heart.

Humans↗

Neck recurrence from thyroid carcinoma: serum thyroglobulin and high-dose total body scan are not reliable criteria for cure after radioiodine treatment.

BACKGROUND: Local and regional recurrences occur in up to 20% of patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma. Diagnostic work-up and treatment modalities are still controversial, because nodal control is difficult to ascertain. We assessed the value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) determination and of high-dose 131I total body scan (TBS) for ascertaining the absence of disease in patients who had already been treated with radioiodine and who subsequently underwent surgery. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2000, 105 patients who had been treated with radioiodine for lymph node recurrence with initial 131I uptake were included in a standardized protocol performed after withdrawal of thyroid hormone treatment: on day 1, serum Tg determination and administration of 3.7 GBq 131I; on day 4, 131I TBS; on day 5, surgery; on day 8, 131I TBS. RESULTS: In 25 patients the serum Tg obtained following thyroid hormone withdrawal was undetectable: for these patients, the 131I TBS showed uptake foci in 21 and pathology disclosed neoplastic foci in 19. In 32 patients the serum Tg ranged from 1 to 10 ng/ml: for these patients, the 131I TBS showed uptake foci in 26 and pathology disclosed neoplastic foci in 28. In 48 patients the serum Tg level was above 10 ng/ml: for these patients, the 131I TBS showed uptake foci in 38 and pathology disclosed neoplastic foci in 46. Thus, no uptake was found preoperatively in 20 patients, among whom pathology disclosed lymph node metastases in 16. However, both tests were negative in only two of the 93 patients in whom pathology disclosed neoplastic foci. CONCLUSION: Serum Tg levels and 131I TBS cannot be considered as reliable indicators for the absence of disease in patients already treated with 131I. However, when both tests are negative, the risk of persistent disease is minimal.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗