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Liu S, Zhao H, Li X. Serum Biochemical Markers for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:299-310. [PMID: 38617188 PMCID: PMC11011642 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s440477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare malignancy, requires early diagnosis for optimal patient outcomes. An important aspect of MTC diagnosis is the assessment of serum biomarkers. This review aimed to evaluate the use of serum biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up of MTC. Methods A thorough search of PubMed covering 1975 to 2022 was conducted to identify English-language articles on MTC serum biomarkers. Results The review revealed that calcitonin (Ctn) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) remain the most important serum biomarkers for MTC diagnosis and management. Despite limited studies on procalcitonin (PCT), its stability and ability to exclude interference from inflammation make it a valuable potential marker of MTC. Although the positive rate of serum CA19-9 levels in MTC patients was not high, it can be used as an indicator of poor prognosis in advanced MTC. Other serum markers, including chromogranin A, gastrin-releasing peptide precursor, and neurospecific enolase, did not show any unique value in MTC diagnosis and management. Conclusion Taken together, this review emphasized the importance of serum biomarkers, particularly Ctn and CEA, in the diagnosis and management of MTC. PCT shows promise as a valuable potential marker, whereas CA19-9 can be used as a prognostic indicator of advanced MTC. Further research is needed to validate the significance of these serum biomarkers in MTC and determine the effects of confounding factors on their levels. Clinicians should consider using these markers in MTC diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up, particularly for patients with advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhou Liu
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100010, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100010, People’s Republic of China
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Wang S, Wang X, Hua X, Jiang S, Xie Y, Liu H. Adjusted association between type 2 immunity and low risk thyroid nodules: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:2. [PMID: 34983483 PMCID: PMC8725489 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-021-00917-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune responses, especially type 2 immunity, might be related to the prevalence of thyroid nodules, while the key regulators and potential pathways are remaining largely unknown. In addition, the immune status of individuals could be affected by mixed metabolic background. Herein our aim was to investigate the adjusted association between ultrasound-diagnosed low risk thyroid nodules and immune responses, excluding the interference of metabolic effects on immunity. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 1764 subjects who underwent a thorough thyroid ultrasound examination. To eliminate the interference of confounders, we used propensity score matching (PSM) to match age, gender, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, parameters that are related with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Then the potential effectors of immune responses involved in the laboratorial assays were evaluated. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of thyroid nodules in a multivariate manner. RESULTS The 1172 subjects were remained after PSM, and differences of demographic background between subjects with and without thyroid nodules were eliminated. Metabolic parameters comprising blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and serum uric acid were shown no significant difference between post-PSM subjects with and without thyroid nodules. Among the biochemistry and hematological parameters, white blood cell count and the positive rate of eosinophil percentage were increased in subjects with thyroid nodules than in those without thyroid nodules. In contrast, the positive rate of basophil percentage was lower in subjects with thyroid nodules than in those without thyroid nodules. In addition, the thyroid function test results showed that subjects with thyroid nodules had higher positive rates of antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) than subjects without thyroid nodules. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the positive value of TgAb as well as high level of white blood cell count and BMI could serve as independent risk factors of thyroid nodules. CONCLUSIONS The type 2 immune responses mediated by increased level of eosinophils, along with positive value of TgAb and TPOAb were associated with the presence of thyroid nodules. In addition, the potential role of basophils in protecting against thyroid nodules and the pathogenesis of immune-metabolic status remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanxing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology and Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Xiang Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology and Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China
| | - Shichao Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, China
| | - Yong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology and Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Hongying Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Shimizu Y, Kanda S, Fukushima T, Kobayashi T, Kondo R, Koizumi T. Increased carbohydrate antigen 19-9 expression in a thymic neuroendocrine tumor. Thorac Cancer 2021; 12:2949-2952. [PMID: 34581018 PMCID: PMC8563154 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report a case of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19‐9‐producing mediastinal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (atypical carcinoid). A 54‐year‐old woman with no specific relevant medical history was referred to our hospital because of increased CA19‐9 (95.3 U/ml) detected on health screening. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed an anterior mediastinal mass without localized lymphadenopathy. Thoracic surgery was performed and the histopathological diagnosis was thymic CA19‐9‐positive NET. The patient developed mediastinal lymph node metastasis at 1 year (CA19‐9: 413 U/ml) and multiple bone metastases 4 years (CA19‐9: 2303 U/ml) after surgery. Increased CA19‐9 levels paralleled the clinical courses of relapse. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CA19‐9‐producing thymic NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shimizu
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kanda
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Toshirou Fukushima
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Kondo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Matsumoto Medical Center, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Tomonobu Koizumi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Division of Gastroenterology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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Lorusso L, Romei C, Piaggi P, Fustini C, Molinaro E, Agate L, Bottici V, Viola D, Pellegrini G, Elisei R. Ca19.9 Positivity and Doubling Time Are Prognostic Factors of Mortality in Patients with Advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer with No Evidence of Structural Disease Progression According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Thyroid 2021; 31:1050-1055. [PMID: 33234054 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background: Serum Ca19.9 positivity is a prognostic factor for mortality in patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer (aMTC), independently from calcitonin doubling time (DT). However, it is unknown whether aMTC patients who become positive for Ca19.9 also have progressive disease (PD) according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) and whether Ca19.9 DT has a role in the management of aMTC patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether in aMTC, when serum Ca19.9 becomes positive, PD develops, and to determine the role of Ca19.9 DT in predicting mortality and PD. Patients and Methods: Serum Ca19.9 was periodically measured in 107 aMTC patients, and the DTs were calculated. Restaging of the disease was radiologically performed in 104 of 107 patients and PD was evaluated according to RECIST. Results: At the end of follow-up, 25 of 107 patients were Ca19.9 positive and PD was identified in 30 of 104 patients. No significant association was found between Ca19.9 positivity and PD, while there was a significant association between Ca19.9 positivity and mortality (p < 0.0001). Ca19.9 DTs <6 months and <1 year were not associated with PD but were associated with mortality (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). In particular, 3 patients who had a Ca19.9 DT <6 months with no evidence of PD according to RECIST died of their disease after 6, 5, and 3 months, respectively. Conclusions: Serum Ca19.9 positivity and DTs <6 months and <1 year are prognostic factors for mortality but not for PD. Serum Ca19.9 positivity and DTs <6 months and <1 year should be considered in the decision-making process of whether to initiate systemic therapy even if there is no evidence of PD according to RECIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Lorusso
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Romei
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Piaggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Fustini
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Molinaro
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Agate
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Bottici
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - David Viola
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellegrini
- Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Elisei
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Lee T, Teng TZJ, Shelat VG. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 - tumor marker: Past, present, and future. World J Gastrointest Surg 2020; 12:468-490. [PMID: 33437400 PMCID: PMC7769746 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v12.i12.468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a cell surface glycoprotein complex most commonly associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Koprowski first described it in 1979 using a mouse monoclonal antibody in a colorectal carcinoma cell line. Historically, it is one of the most commonly used tumor markers for diagnosing, managing, and prognosticating PDAC. Additionally, elevated CA 19-9 levels are used as an indication for surgery in suspected benign pancreatic conditions. Another common application of CA 19-9 in the biliary tract includes its use as an adjunct in diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma. However, its clinical value is not limited to the hepatopancreatobiliary system. The reality is that the advancing literature has broadened the clinical value of CA 19-9. The potential value of CA 19-9 in patients' workup extends its reach to gastrointestinal cancers - such as colorectal and oesophageal cancer - and further beyond the gastrointestinal tract - including urological, gynecological, pulmonary, and thyroid pathologies. Apart from its role in investigations, CA 19-9 presents a potential therapeutic target in PDAC and acute pancreatitis. In a bid to consolidate its broad utility, we appraised and reviewed the biomarker's current utility and limitations in investigations and management, while discussing the potential applications for CA 19-9 in the works for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsinrong Lee
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Thomas Zheng Jie Teng
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Vishal G Shelat
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
- Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore
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Vargas CVF, Ceolin L, Scheffel RS, Benini AF, Graudenz MS, Maia AL. The tissue expression pattern of CA 19.9 is associated with oncological features in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Endocrine 2020; 70:544-551. [PMID: 32535684 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Elevated serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19.9), a well-established tumor marker in pancreatic neoplasms, has been proposed as a prognostic marker of tumor aggressiveness in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). A hypothesis of C-cell dedifferentiation has been raised. Here, we evaluated the expression of CA19.9 and CD133, a stem cell marker, in MTC tissues. METHODS MTC samples from patients attending a university-based hospital were evaluated for CA19.9 and CD133 expression by immunohistochemistry. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS Tumor specimens from 70 MTC patients (57.1% hereditary) were evaluated. The age at diagnosis was 36.1 ± 16.3 years, and 58.6% were female; 53% of patients had cervical and 20% distant metastases. CA19.9 staining was detected in 87% of the samples, but no association was observed with biochemical markers, tumor size, local or distant metastases (All P > 0.05). Remarkable, CA19.9 expression was higher in the metastasis than in primary tumor samples (P = 0.0002). CD133 was expressed in 90.5% samples, but no correlation was found with CA19.9. Interestingly, we identified three distinct expression patterns to CA19.9: individual, focal, and diffuse cells. Sporadic MTC was associated with the individual cell pattern (70.6%), while the hereditary form with the focal expression pattern (63.9%; P = 0.04). Remarkably, the diffuse pattern was associated with larger tumor size and distant metastases (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS The majority of samples stained for CA19.9, suggesting it is an MTC cell-intrinsic feature. Three distinct expression patterns were identified, which were associated with the hereditary or sporadic form, larger tumor size, and presence of metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Vaz Ferreira Vargas
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lucieli Ceolin
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Selbach Scheffel
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Antônio Felippe Benini
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Márcia Silveira Graudenz
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Pathology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Maia
- Thyroid Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Alencar R, Kendler DB, Andrade F, Nava C, Bulzico D, Cordeiro de Noronha Pessoa C, Corbo R, Vaisman F. CA19-9 as a Predictor of Worse Clinical Outcome in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Eur Thyroid J 2019; 8:186-191. [PMID: 31602360 PMCID: PMC6738281 DOI: 10.1159/000497201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare disease, and its classic tumor marker is calcitonin. However, recently, very aggressive cases have been reported to also secrete carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and its role as a marker of worse prognosis has been questioned. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between CA19-9 serum levels and MTC outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 122 MTC patients followed in a tertiary cancer center from 1985 to 2017. Clinical-pathologic characteristics, therapeutic approaches, and outcomes were recorded and CA19-9 was collected. RESULTS Of the 122 patients included in the study, 48 had distant metastases, and at the end of follow-up 18.1% had structural persistent disease and 32.7% had progressive disease. CA19-9 was significantly higher in those who had disease progression than in those who had not (21.4 [14.3-110.9] vs. 7.27 [0.6-44.75] U/mL, p = 0.01) and was also higher in patients who died from MTC (18.4 [14.3-110.9] vs. 7.59 [0.6-67.8] U/mL, p < 0.001). Furthermore, using a ROC curve analysis, the cutoff point for CA19-9 in MTC patients was lower than that observed in pancreatic tumors. CONCLUSION CA19-9 might have a role as a prognostic factor in addition to calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen in metastatic MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Alencar
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Barretto Kendler
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Andrade
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carla Nava
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Bulzico
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Rossana Corbo
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Vaisman
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Fernanda Vaisman, MD, PhD, Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Instituto Nacional do Cancer, José Alencar Gomes da Silva, INCA, HC 1, Praça da Cruz Vermelha, 23, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20231-083 (Brazil), E-Mail
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) comprises approximately 4% of all malignant thyroid neoplasms. Although the majority of patients have a good prognosis, a subgroup of patients develops progressive disease and requires systemic therapy. Here, we focused on the current MTC therapeutic approaches and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of molecular targeted therapies. RECENT FINDINGS Targeted molecular therapies that inhibit RET and other tyrosine kinase receptors involved in angiogenesis have been shown to improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced MTC. Two drugs, vandetanib and cabozantinib, have been approved for the treatment of progressive or symptomatic MTC, and several others have exhibited variable efficacy. No tyrosine kinase inhibitor has been shown to improve survival. Although no definitive recommendation can currently be made, cumulative data indicate that knowledge of the tumor mutational profile may facilitate improvements in targeted therapy for MTC. SUMMARY Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of progressive MTC. Nevertheless, it is not clear who will benefit the most from therapy, and the decision regarding when and how to initiate the treatment should be made based on the patient's medical history and tumor behavior. Hopefully, in the near future, molecular profiling of MTC can be used to determine the most effective molecular therapeutic target.
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Elisei R, Lorusso L, Piaggi P, Torregrossa L, Pellegrini G, Molinaro E, Agate L, Bottici V, Pani F, Cacciato Insilla A, Casella F, Ciampi R, Tognetti I, Materazzi G, Basolo F, Romei C. Elevated level of serum carbohydrate antigen 19.9 as predictor of mortality in patients with advanced medullary thyroid cancer. Eur J Endocrinol 2015; 173:297-304. [PMID: 26034076 DOI: 10.1530/eje-15-0304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is capable of secreting several proteins, such as calcitonin (Ct), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), chromogranin and others. Recently, we observed an aggressive MTC with high levels of serum carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (Ca 19.9) and a rapid evolution to death. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether high levels of serum Ca 19.9 could be a prognostic factor of death in patients with advanced MTC. PATIENTS AND METHODS We measured Ca 19.9, CEA and Ct in 100 advanced structural recurrent/persistent MTC patients and in 100 cured or biochemically affected MTC patients. Clinical and pathological data were also collected. RESULTS Sixteen percent of the patients with advanced MTC had high levels of Ca 19.9. The group with abnormal Ca 19.9 levels had significantly higher levels of CEA and Ct compared with the group with normal values of Ca 19.9 (P<0.0001 for both Ct and CEA). At variance, all 100 patients in the MTC control group showed normal levels of Ca 19.9. Moreover, among the advanced cases, the Ca 19.9-positive group showed a higher mortality rate than the group with normal levels. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that an elevated level of Ca 19.9 is a predictor of mortality (OR=3.78, P=0.04), independent from Ct doubling time. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that an elevated value of serum Ca 19.9 appears to be a predictive factor of poor prognosis in advanced MTC patients and identifies those cases with a higher risk of mortality in the short term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Elisei
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Loredana Lorusso
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Piaggi
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liborio Torregrossa
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellegrini
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Molinaro
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Agate
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Bottici
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabiana Pani
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Cacciato Insilla
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Casella
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ciampi
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Tognetti
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gabriele Materazzi
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fulvio Basolo
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Romei
- Endocrine UnitDepartment of Clinical and Experimental MedicineDepartment of SurgicalMedical, Molecular Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy andClinical Chemistry LaboratoryAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
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