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Capatina C, Hanzu FA, Hinojosa-Amaya JM, Fleseriu M. Medical treatment of functional pituitary adenomas, trials and tribulations. J Neurooncol 2024:10.1007/s11060-024-04670-x. [PMID: 38760632 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04670-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs) include most frequently prolactinomas, somatotroph or corticotroph adenomas, while thyrotroph and gonadotroph adenomas are very rare. Despite their benign histological nature (aggressive tumors are rare and malignant ones exceptional), FPAs could cause significant morbidity and increased mortality due to complications associated with hormonal excess syndromes and/or mass effect leading to compression of adjacent structures. This mini review will focus on the increasing role of medical therapy in the multimodal treatment, which also includes transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) and radiotherapy. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Most patients with prolactinomas are treated only with medications, but surgery could be considered for some patients in a specialized pituitary center, if higher chances of cure. Dopamine agonists, especially cabergoline, are efficient in reducing tumor size and normalizing prolactin. TSS is the first-line treatment for all other FPAs, but most patients require complex adjuvant treatment, including a combination of therapeutic approaches. Medical therapy is the cornerstone of treatment in all patients after unsuccessful surgery or when surgery cannot be offered and includes somatostatin receptor ligands and dopamine agonists (almost all FPAs), growth hormone receptor antagonists (acromegaly), adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors and glucocorticoid receptor blockers (Cushing's disease). Novel medical treatments, especially for acromegaly and Cushing's disease are under research. CONCLUSIONS An enlarged panel of effective drugs available with increased knowledge of predictive factors for response and/or adverse effects will enhance the possibility to offer a more individualized treatment. This would not only improve disease control and prognosis, but also quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Capatina
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila" Bucharest, and Department of Pituitary and Neuroendocrine Pathology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Felicia Alexandra Hanzu
- Endocrinology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Miguel Hinojosa-Amaya
- Endocrinology Division and Department of Medicine, Pituitary Clinic, Hospital Universitario U.A.N.L, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Maria Fleseriu
- Departments of Medicine (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition) and Neurological Surgery, and Pituitary Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
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Schiffer L, Oestlund I, Snoep JL, Gilligan LC, Taylor AE, Sinclair AJ, Singhal R, Freeman A, Ajjan R, Tiganescu A, Arlt W, Storbeck KH. Inhibition of the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 drives concurrent 11-oxygenated androgen excess. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23574. [PMID: 38551804 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302131r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a key enzyme in the activation of both classic and 11-oxygenated androgens. In adipose tissue, AKR1C3 is co-expressed with 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1), which catalyzes not only the local activation of glucocorticoids but also the inactivation of 11-oxygenated androgens, and thus has the potential to counteract AKR1C3. Using a combination of in vitro assays and in silico modeling we show that HSD11B1 attenuates the biosynthesis of the potent 11-oxygenated androgen, 11-ketotestosterone (11KT), by AKR1C3. Employing ex vivo incubations of human female adipose tissue samples we show that inhibition of HSD11B1 results in the increased peripheral biosynthesis of 11KT. Moreover, circulating 11KT increased 2-3 fold in individuals with type 2 diabetes after receiving the selective oral HSD11B1 inhibitor AZD4017 for 35 days, thus confirming that HSD11B1 inhibition results in systemic increases in 11KT concentrations. Our findings show that HSD11B1 protects against excess 11KT production by adipose tissue, a finding of particular significance when considering the evidence for adverse metabolic effects of androgens in women. Therefore, when targeting glucocorticoid activation by HSD11B1 inhibitor treatment in women, the consequently increased generation of 11KT may offset beneficial effects of decreased glucocorticoid activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Schiffer
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Imken Oestlund
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jacky L Snoep
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Molecular Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lorna C Gilligan
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Angela E Taylor
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alexandra J Sinclair
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Rishi Singhal
- Upper GI Unit and Minimally Invasive Unit, Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adrian Freeman
- Emerging Innovations Unit, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ramzi Ajjan
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Center, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Ana Tiganescu
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Center, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
| | - Karl-Heinz Storbeck
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Braun LT, Osswald A, Zopp S, Rubinstein G, Vogel F, Riester A, Honegger J, Eisenhofer G, Constantinescu G, Deutschbein T, Quinkler M, Elbelt U, Künzel H, Nowotny HF, Reisch N, Hartmann MF, Beuschlein F, Pons-Kühnemann J, Reincke M, Wudy SA. Delineating endogenous Cushing's syndrome by GC-MS urinary steroid metabotyping. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104907. [PMID: 38128413 PMCID: PMC10776922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosing Cushing's syndrome (CS) is highly complex. As the diagnostic potential of urinary steroid metabolome analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in combination with systems biology has not yet been fully exploited, we studied a large cohort of patients with CS. METHODS We quantified daily urinary excretion rates of 36 steroid hormone metabolites. Applying cluster analysis, we investigated a control group and 168 patients: 44 with Cushing's disease (CD) (70% female), 18 with unilateral cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma (83% female), 13 with primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) (77% female), and 93 ruled-out CS (73% female). FINDINGS Cluster-Analysis delineated five urinary steroid metabotypes in CS. Metabotypes 1, 2 and 3 revealing average levels of cortisol and adrenal androgen metabolites included patients with exclusion of CS or and healthy controls. Metabotype 4 reflecting moderately elevated cortisol metabolites but decreased DHEA metabolites characterized the patients with unilateral adrenal CS and PBMAH. Metabotype 5 showing strong increases both in cortisol and DHEA metabolites, as well as overloaded enzymes of cortisol inactivation, was characteristic of CD patients. 11-oxygenated androgens were elevated in all patients with CS. The biomarkers THS, F, THF/THE, and (An + Et)/(11β-OH-An + 11β-OH-Et) correctly classified 97% of patients with CS and 95% of those without CS. An inverse relationship between 11-deoxygenated and 11-oxygenated androgens was typical for the ACTH independent (adrenal) forms of CS with an accuracy of 95%. INTERPRETATION GC-MS based urinary steroid metabotyping allows excellent identification of patients with endogenous CS and differentiation of its subtypes. FUNDING The study was funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung and the Eva-Luise-und-Horst-Köhler-Stiftung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah T Braun
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Andrea Osswald
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Stephanie Zopp
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - German Rubinstein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Frederick Vogel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Anna Riester
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Jürgen Honegger
- Department for Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Graeme Eisenhofer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany; Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Georgiana Constantinescu
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Timo Deutschbein
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Str. 6, Würzburg 97080, Germany; Medicover Oldenburg MVZ, Elisenstr. 12, Oldenburg 26122, Germany
| | - Marcus Quinkler
- Endocrinology in Charlottenburg, Stuttgarter Platz 1, Berlin 10627, Germany
| | - Ulf Elbelt
- Division of Medicine B, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, Neuruppin 16816, Germany; Endokrinologikum Berlin MVZ, Friedrichstraße 76, Berlin 10117, Germany; Medical Department, Division of Psychosomatic Medicine, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin 12203, Germany
| | - Heike Künzel
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Hanna F Nowotny
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analysis in Pediatric Endocrinology, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Feulgenstr. 10-12, Giessen 35392, Germany
| | - Felix Beuschlein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany; Klinik für Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, Universitäts-Spital Zürich (USZ) und Universität Zürich (UZH), Raemistrasse 100, Zürich CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Jörn Pons-Kühnemann
- Medical Statistics, Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 6, Giessen D-35392, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Ziemssenstraße 5, München 80336, Germany
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetology, Laboratory for Translational Hormone Analysis in Pediatric Endocrinology, Steroid Research & Mass Spectrometry Unit, Center of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Feulgenstr. 10-12, Giessen 35392, Germany.
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Fleseriu M, Varlamov EV, Hinojosa-Amaya JM, Langlois F, Melmed S. An individualized approach to the management of Cushing disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:581-599. [PMID: 37537306 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00868-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cushing disease caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary corticotroph adenoma leads to hypercortisolaemia with high mortality due to metabolic, cardiovascular, immunological, neurocognitive, haematological and infectious conditions. The disorder is challenging to diagnose because of its common and heterogenous presenting features and the biochemical pitfalls of testing levels of hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Several late-night salivary cortisol and 24-h urinary free cortisol tests are usually required as well as serum levels of cortisol after a dexamethasone suppression test. MRI might only identify an adenoma in 60-75% of patients and many adenomas are small. Therefore, inferior petrosal sinus sampling remains the gold standard for confirmation of ACTH secretion from a pituitary source. Initial treatment is usually transsphenoidal adenoma resection, but preoperative medical therapy is increasingly being used in some countries and regions. Other management approaches are required if Cushing disease persists or recurs following surgery, including medications to modulate ACTH or block cortisol secretion or actions, pituitary radiation, and/or bilateral adrenalectomy. All patients require lifelong surveillance for persistent comorbidities, clinical and biochemical recurrence, and treatment-related adverse effects (including development of treatment-associated hypopituitarism). In this Review, we discuss challenges in the management of Cushing disease in adults and provide information to guide clinicians when planning an integrated and individualized approach for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Elena V Varlamov
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jose M Hinojosa-Amaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González", Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Fabienne Langlois
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l'Estrie - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shlomo Melmed
- Department of Medicine and Pituitary Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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5
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Dahmani C, Caron P, Simonyan D, Turcotte V, Grégoire J, Plante M, Guillemette C. Circulating adrenal 11-oxygenated androgens are associated with clinical outcome in endometrial cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1156680. [PMID: 37288302 PMCID: PMC10242140 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1156680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Recent evidence support that androgens play an important role in the etiology of endometrial cancer (EC). Adrenal-derived 11-oxygenated androgens are highly potent agonists of the androgen receptor (AR), comparable to testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that have not been studied in the context of EC. Methodology We studied a cohort of 272 newly diagnosed postmenopausal EC cases undergoing surgical treatment. Circulating concentrations of seven 11-oxygenated androgens including precursors, potent androgens and their metabolites were established in serum samples collected before and 1 month after surgery using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (LC-MS/MS). Free (unconjugated) and total (free + sulfate and glucuronide conjugates following enzymatic hydrolysis) were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological features, recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS). Results Levels of 11-oxygenated androgens were weakly correlated to those of canonical androgens such as testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), with no evidence of their association with clinicopathological features. Levels of 11-oxygenated androgens declined after surgery but remained higher in overweight and obese compared to normal weight cases. Higher levels of preoperative free 11-ketoandrosterone (11KAST) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence (Hazard ratio (HR) of 2.99 (95%CI=1.09-8.18); P=0.03). Postoperative free 11β-hydroxyandrosterone (11OHAST) levels were adversely associated with recurrence and DFS (HR = 3.23 (1.11-9.40); P=0.03 and 3.27 (1.34-8.00); P=0.009, respectively). Conclusion 11-oxygenated androgen metabolites emerge as potential prognostic markers of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cylia Dahmani
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHU de Québec) Research Center, Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval and Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Caron
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHU de Québec) Research Center, Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval and Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - David Simonyan
- Statistical and Clinical Research Platform, CHU de Québec Research Center, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Véronique Turcotte
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHU de Québec) Research Center, Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval and Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jean Grégoire
- Gynecologic Oncology Service, CHU de Québec, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie Plante
- Gynecologic Oncology Service, CHU de Québec, and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Chantal Guillemette
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHU de Québec) Research Center, Cancer Research Center (CRC) of Université Laval and Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Canada Research Chair in Pharmacogenomics, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Akirov A, Dery L, Fleseriu M, Rudman Y, Shimon I, Manisterski Y, Aviran-Barak N, Nadler V, Alboim S, Shochat T, Tsvetov G, Hirsch D. Cushing's syndrome in women: age-related differences in etiology and clinical picture. Pituitary 2023; 26:144-151. [PMID: 36515786 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical presentation, biochemical profile, and etiology of Cushing's syndrome (CS) in women stratified by age. METHODS Retrospective study of patients with CS, treated at Rabin Medical Center from 2000 to 2020, or Maccabi Healthcare Services in Israel from 2005 to 2017. Disease etiology, presentation and biochemical profile were compared according to age at diagnosis: ≤ 45, 46-64, or ≥ 65 years. Study was approved by the Ethics Review Boards of both facilities with waiver of consent. RESULTS The cohort included 142 women (mean age, 46.0 ± 15.1 years):81 (57.0%) with Cushing's disease (CD), and 61 (43.0%) with adrenal CS. Pituitary etiology was more common among women < 45 (70.6%), compared with patients ≥ 65 years (31.6%) (P < 0.05). Among CS patients, hypercortisolism was diagnosed in the context of screening after an adrenal incidentaloma detection in 15.0% of patients < 45 and 53.8% of ≥ 65 years (P < 0.001). Weight gain was evident in 57.4% of women < 45 (56.3% CD, 60.0% CS), and 15.8% of women ≥ 65 years (50% CD, 0% CS) (P = 0.011). Mean UFC levels were highest for women < 45 (3.8 × ULN) and lowest for ≥ 65 years (2.3 × ULN) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION We have shown for the first time that women with CS ≥ 65 years of age more commonly have adrenal etiology. The initial presentation of CS also differs between age groups, where women < 45 years are likely to present with weight gain, while those ≥ 65 years are frequently diagnosed incidentally, when screening for hypercortisolism in the presence of an adrenal incidentaloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Akirov
- Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Hospital, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel.
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Laura Dery
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maria Fleseriu
- Pituitary Center, Departments of Medicine and Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yaron Rudman
- Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Hospital, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Shimon
- Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Hospital, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Varda Nadler
- Maccabi Health Care Services-Central Laboratory, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sandra Alboim
- Maccabi Health Care Services-Central Laboratory, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tzipora Shochat
- Statistical Consulting Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Gloria Tsvetov
- Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Hospital, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Maccabi Health Care Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dania Hirsch
- Institute of Endocrinology, Rabin Medical Center Beilinson Hospital, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Maccabi Health Care Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
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7
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Auer MK, Hawley JM, Lottspeich C, Bidlingmaier M, Sappl A, Nowotny HF, Tschaidse L, Treitl M, Reincke M, Keevil BG, Reisch N. 11-Oxygenated androgens are not secreted by the human ovary: in-vivo data from four different cases of hyperandrogenism. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 187:K47-K53. [PMID: 36239921 PMCID: PMC9716487 DOI: 10.1530/eje-22-0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differentiation of an adrenal from an ovarian source of hyperandrogenemia can be challenging. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of 11-oxygenated C19 steroids to the androgen pool in humans. The aim of this study was to confirm the origin of 11-oxygenated androgens in females and to explore their potential use in the diagnostics of hyperandrogenic disorders. METHODS We measured testosterone and its precursors (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and androstenedione) and 11-oxygenated androgens (11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OHA4) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT)) in the periphery, adrenal and ovarian veins in four different cases of hyperandrogenism in females (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and ovarian steroid cell tumor). RESULTS Two patients demonstrate excessive testosterone secretion in neoplastic ovarian tumors which was not paralleled by a significant secretion of 11-oxygenated androgens as determined by adrenal and ovarian vein sampling. In androgen-secreting bilateral adrenal macronodular hyperplasia, steroid profiles were characterized by elevated 11-KT and 11-OHA4 concentrations in adrenal veins and the periphery. In the patient with PCOS, peripheral 11-KT concentrations were slightly elevated in comparison to the other patients, but the 11-KT and 11-OHA4 concentrations were comparable in ovarian veins and in the periphery. CONCLUSION This study confirms that 11-OHA4 and 11-KT are not biosynthesized by the ovary. We propose that the testosterone/11-KT ratio as well as 11-OHA4 could help identify predominant adrenal androgen excess and distinguish neoplastic and non-neoplastic ovarian androgen source. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study confirms that 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OHA4) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) are not biosynthesized by the human ovary. We propose that the testosterone/11-KT ratio as well as 11-OHA4 could help to identify predominant adrenal androgen excess and distinguish neoplastic and non-neoplastic ovarian androgen source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias K Auer
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - James M Hawley
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Southmoor Rd, Manchester, UK
| | - Christian Lottspeich
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Bidlingmaier
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Sappl
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Hanna F Nowotny
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Lea Tschaidse
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcus Treitl
- Department for Radiology, Neuroradiology and Interventional Radiology, Trauma Centre Murnau, Germany
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Radiology, Clinical Centre of the University of Munich, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
| | - Brian G Keevil
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Southmoor Rd, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicole Reisch
- Medizinische Klinik and Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU München, Munich, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to N Reisch;
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