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Biomedical subjects

Martin Schlumberger

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Schlumberger.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

MR imaging of hepatic metastases caused by neuroendocrine tumors: comparing four techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our prospective study was to assess the MR imaging characteristics of hepatic metastases of neuroendocrine tumors and to determine the optimal MR sequence for their detection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors underwent 1.5-T MR imaging of the liver comprising T2-weighted fast spin-echo with respiratory monitoring, breath-hold T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo, and T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo sequences before and after the injection of gadoterate dimeglumine. Images were reviewed independently by three observers for the number, location, and pattern of signal and enhancement of metastases. RESULTS: A total of 359 metastases were detected, 279 on T2-weighed fast spin-echo, 231 on T2-weighed single-shot fast spin-echo, 272 on unenhanced T1-weighted, 322 on hepatic arterial phase, and 228 on portal venous phase images. Hepatic arterial phase images revealed the greatest number of metastases in 70% of patients, including 35 metastases seen only on this sequence, and was significantly superior to the unenhanced T1-weighted and portal venous phase sequences (p < 0.01). The lesion-to-liver contrast was significantly greatest with T2-weighed fast spin-echo sequences. The enhancement patterns of metastases were predominantly hypervascular, hypovascular, peripheral with progressive fill-in, and delayed in, respectively, 27, four, four, and two patients. Most metastases with peripheral enhancement and progressive fill-in were heterogeneous on T2-weighted images and were without globular peripheral enhancement. CONCLUSION: Hepatic metastases of neuroendocrine tumors had a typical hypervascular pattern in 73% of patients. Hepatic arterial phase and fast spin-echo T2-weighed sequences are the most sensitive.

Adult↗

Increased expression of AP2 and Sp1 transcription factors in human thyroid tumors: a role in NIS expression regulation?

BACKGROUND: Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is a key protein in iodide transport by thyroid cells and this activity is a prerequisite for effective radioiodide treatment of thyroid cancer. In the majority of thyroid cancers, however, iodide uptake is reduced, probably as a result of decreased NIS protein expression. METHODS: To identify the mechanisms that negatively affect NIS expression in thyroid tumors, we performed electrophoresis mobility shift assays and immunoblot analysis of nuclear protein extracts from normal and tumoral thyroid tissues from 14 unrelated patients. RESULTS: Two proteins closely related to the transcription factors AP2 and Sp1 were identified in the nuclear extracts. Expression of both AP2 and Sp1 in nuclear extracts from thyroid tumors was significantly higher than that observed in corresponding normal tissues. CONCLUSION: These observations raise the possibility that NIS expression, and subsequently iodide transport, are reduced in thyroid tumors at least in part owing to alterations in the binding activity of AP2 and Sp1 transcription factors to NIS promoter.

Adenoma↗

Trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment for hepatic metastases from endocrine tumors.

Our objective was to report the outcome in patients with liver metastasis from endocrine tumors who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) as first-line non-surgical treatment. From January 1990 to December 2000, 14 patients with progressive unresectable liver metastases from digestive neuroendocrine tumor were treated with TACE (mean of 3.6 sessions) before any non-surgical treatment (somatostatin analogue, chemotherapy or interferon). Liver involvement was less than 50% in 11 patients. Size of the largest lesion ranged from 1.5 to 10 cm. Ten patients presented with carcinoid symptoms. The TACE was performed with Doxorubicin emulsified in Lipiodol and gelatin sponge particles. Symptomatic response upon flushes and/or diarrhea was complete in 7 of 10 cases and partial in 2 of 10 cases. An objective morphologic response was noted in 12 of 14 cases. The 5- and 10-year survival rate from diagnosis was 83 and 56%, respectively. Six patients were alive at the end of the study after 27-100 months from first TACE and 38-142 months from diagnosis. Three of them were successfully palliated for 55, 69, and 100 months with only TACE as treatment. Long-term palliation is possible in unresectable liver metastases from digestive neuroendocrine tumors with a few sessions of TACE as first-line and eventually exclusive treatment.

Adult↗

Evidence of Bordetella pertussis infection in adults presenting with persistent cough in a french area with very high whole-cell vaccine coverage.

Although France has had a vaccination program for 40 years, since 1990, an increase in whooping cough cases with parent-infant transmission has been observed. This study prospectively assessed the frequency of Bordetella pertussis infection in adults who consulted general practitioners for a persistent cough without an evident diagnosis. Among 217 patients, 70 (32%) confirmed whooping cough cases were identified. One case was culture positive, 36 were polymerase chain reaction positive, and 40 had increases or decreases of > or =2-fold in anti-pertussis toxin IgG titer between serum samples collected during the acute and convalescent phases. The median duration of cough in confirmed cases was 49 days (range, 13-123 days). Of the patients, 60% reported vaccination, and 33% reported whooping cough in infancy. Pertussis should be considered for diagnosis of acute and chronic cough in adults. Future studies should evaluate the public health interest of booster doses of pertussis vaccine in adults.

Adolescent↗

Radioiodine therapy for papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Radioiodine ((131)I) therapy is used in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma for ablation of thyroid remnants and for treatment of persistent or recurrent disease. It should be used selectively, i.e. only in those patients for whom a clinical benefit may be expected.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

[Treatment strategy of neuroendocrine tumors].

Therapeutic strategy of neuroendocrine tumours is complex, due to their heterogeneity and to the fact that although generally slow growing, a significant proportion demonstrates aggressive tumour growth. Symptomatic carcinoid syndrome and various pancreatic endocrine tumours with symptomatic syndromes are well controlled with somatostatin analogues. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment if the tumour can be resected. Metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour are treated when resection is not feasible with combination chemotherapy using adriamycin and streptozotocin, which remains a standard of care. In well differentiated tumour of the gut or the lung there is no clear standard of chemotherapy and treatment vary according to the tumour course. In indolent cases, somatostatin analogues are the best treatment, in case of aggressive tumours chemoembolisation should be preferred when the disease is located or predominant in the liver. Poorly differentiated tumours are treated by combination chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin, and surgery has no indication. Gastrinoma and other pancreatic tumours arising in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I disease need a specific therapeutic strategy.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Inheritable forms of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) arises from parafollicular or C cells of the thyroid that produce calcitonin. It accounts for 5-10% of all thyroid cancers. Hereditary MTC represents 20-30% of all MTCs. It can be transmitted with an autosomal dominant pattern, either as a single entity, familial MTC, or it can arise as part of a multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome type 2A or 2B. The identification of hereditary MTC has been facilitated in recent years by the direct analysis of the ret proto-oncogene.

Animals↗

Differential expression of galectin-3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma and C-cell hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside-binding protein that plays a role in cell adhesion and tumour progression. It was shown recently to diagnose malignant follicular thyroid lesions accurately. The reliability of this marker in the differential diagnosis between medullary thyroid carcinoma and C-cell hyperplasia was studied by immunohistochemistry. PATIENTS: Tissue specimens were obtained from 34 patients belonging to families with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent prophylactic thyroidectomy for RET gene mutation and/or abnormally increased plasma calcitonin levels. RESULTS: Galectin-3 was expressed in 23 of 25 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma and in none of the nine cases of C-cell hyperplasia only, giving a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of carcinoma. A significant association was found between higher galectin-3 expression and occurrence of lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Galectin-3 is a reliable diagnostic marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and its use may provide relevant information for prognosis and therapy.

Adolescent↗

Characteristics of follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas occurring after external radiation exposure: results of a case control study nested in a cohort.

Radiation exposure is the only well-established risk factor for follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinoma. To compare the clinical characteristics and outcome of thyroid carcinoma in patients with and without a history of radiation exposure, we performed a case control study nested in a cohort of 2,196 patients treated for a papillary or a follicular thyroid cancer at the Institut Gustave Roussy. The study was performed on 91 cases (71% females) and their 273 controls matched for gender, age at thyroid cancer diagnosis (+/-3 years), and period of initial thyroid cancer treatment (+/-6 years). More than 85% of the cases have been first exposed to external radiation before the age of 30 years. Thyroid cancers were more frequently multifocal in cases than in controls (odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-4.8), and local residual tumor was more frequently observed in cases, but the other clinical features did not differ overall. Female cases with a history of radiation exposure more frequently had a tumor of follicular histology than female controls (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1-6.5), and conversely the frequency of follicular histology was similar in male cases and in male controls (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-1.4). The risks of recurrence and of thyroid cancer related death were similar in cases and in controls.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

Transposition of the thyroid iodide uptake and organification system in nonthyroid tumor cells by adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfers.

Radioactive iodine (131I) is routinely used for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers. Attempts have been made to enlarge this therapeutic strategy to nonthyroid tumors by coupling radioactive iodide administration with transfer of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) gene into target cells, for example with an adenoviral vector (AdNIS). Although efficient iodide uptake was achieved in the tumors treated with AdNIS, no therapeutic effect could be observed with 131I, most probably because the iodide retention time in the target cells was short. To circumvent this problem, we propose to organify the iodide taken up, as it occurs in the thyroid. We constructed a recombinant adenovirus encoding the human thyroperoxidase (TPO) gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus early promoter (AdTPO). Infection of nonthyroid tumor cells with this virus led to production of an enzymatically active protein. A significant increase in iodide organification could be observed in cells coinfected with both AdNIS and AdTPO in the presence of exogenous hydrogen peroxide. However, the levels of iodide organification obtained were too low to significantly increase the iodide retention time in the target cells.

Adenoviridae↗

Relationship between tumor burden and serum thyroglobulin level in patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a reliable marker for detecting recurrent and persistent disease during the follow-up of patients with papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma. The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between the serum Tg level measured after thyroid hormone withdrawal and the tumor mass in thyroid cancer patients who underwent surgery with the use of an intraoperative probe for lymph node metastases with (131)I uptake. Patients were classified into one of three groups according to the Tg level: undetectable (n = 18); 1-10 ng/mL (n = 21); and greater than 10 ng/mL (n = 33). The main clinical characteristics and the extent of the disease at the time of initial treatment were similar in these three groups. Lymph node metastases were found in 13 of the 18 patients with undetectable Tg level. Eight patients had persistent foci of uptake after surgery that were located behind the sterno-clavicular joint in six patients. The number of metastatic lymph nodes and their total surface (in mm(2)) or their total volume (in mm(3)) were significantly linked with serum Tg/thyrotropin [TSH] level (p = 0.002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). For a given metastatic surface or volume, the serum Tg/TSH value was no longer linked with the number of metastatic lymph nodes (p = 0.32), suggesting that the total surface or total volume is the characteristic that best summarizes the influence of the disease on the serum Tg/TSH level. In conclusion, patients with higher serum Tg levels tend to have more extensive disease and should undergo more aggressive treatment modalities. Nevertheless, undetectable serum Tg should not be considered as a reliable criteria to exclude a minimal tumor burden in patients who have already been treated with (131)I.

Adolescent↗

Regulation by human chorionic gonadotropin of sodium/iodide symporter gene expression in the JAr human choriocarcinoma cell line.

Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene and protein expressions have been recently described in human cytotrophoblasts, emphasizing its potential function in the active transport of iodide from the mother to the fetus. In this study we analyzed NIS expression and function in the human JAr placental choriocarcinoma cell line. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR, we first demonstrated that NIS transcripts are expressed at a high level in JAr cells compared with other cell lines, including thyroid cancer cells. Functional analysis clearly showed that Jar cells are able to concentrate iodide in presence of hCG. Iodide accumulation increased after 2-h exposure to 5 IU/ml hCG, to 6-fold over the basal level after 8 h. This effect was reproduced using forskolin, the cAMP analog (Bu)(2)-cAMP, and phorbol acetate. Moreover, hCG increased both NIS mRNA after 2 h and NIS protein levels after 4 h, reaching a maximum after 8 h in both cases. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that 1) NIS is expressed in JAr cells; 2) iodide transport in JAr cells is regulated by hCG and by cAMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms; 3) the stimulation of iodide uptake is due to an increase in both NIS mRNA and protein levels; and 4) JAr cells may represent an excellent in vitro model suitable to analyze the molecular mechanisms involved in iodide transport from mother to fetus.

Blotting, Western↗

Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma: clinical variability and low aggressiveness associated with RET mutation at codon 804.

Sixty-one heterozygotes harboring the germline V804L mutation of the RET protooncogene were identified in five independent families. A total of 31 subjects underwent surgery. Histology identified C cell hyperplasia in 30 cases, isolated in 12 and associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in 18. Six patients with MTC had lymph node metastases. Among the 14 patients with basal detectable calcitonin (CT) level, 12 had MTC and 2 had isolated C cell hyperplasia. In most individuals carrying 804 RET mutation, C cell disease displayed late onset and an indolent course; a pentagastrin test was negative in the majority of heterozygotes during the first 2 decades and was positive in only half of them during the third and fourth decades of life. Interestingly, concomitant somatic M918T was detected in a 12-yr-old girl with MTC and was likely to be responsible for both the early clinical appearance and the aggressiveness of the disease. Our data show that in these gene carriers, surgery may be postponed to the fourth decade of life or until the pentagastrin stimulation test becomes positive. Indeed, our data should be confirmed on a larger series of V804L carriers, but may offer a balanced strategy to keep under control and prevent development of the full disease phenotype.

Adolescent↗

Identification and characterization of a putative human iodide transporter located at the apical membrane of thyrocytes.

Iodide transport by thyrocytes is a two step process involving transporters located either in the basal or in the apical membranes of the cell. The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is localized in the basolateral membrane facing the bloodstream and mediates iodide accumulation into thyrocytes. Pendrin has been proposed as an apical transporter. In order to identify new iodide transporters, we developed a PCR cloning strategy based on NIS sequence homologies. From a human kidney cDNA library, we characterized a gene, located on chromosome 12q23, that encodes a 610 amino acid protein sharing 46% identity (70% similarity) with the human NIS. Functional analysis of the protein expressed in mammalian cells indicates that it catalyzes a passive iodide transport. The protein product was immunohistochemically localized at the apical pole of the thyroid cells facing the colloid lumen. These results suggest that this new identified protein mediates iodide transport from the thyrocyte into the colloid lumen through the apical membrane. It was designated hAIT for human Apical Iodide Transporter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stimulation of iodide uptake by human chorionic gonadotropin in FRTL-5 cells: effects on sodium/iodide symporter gene and protein expression.

BACKGROUND: Various clinical and experimental findings support the concept that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can stimulate iodide uptake in thyroid cells. DESIGN: We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of hCG on iodide uptake, and particularly its action on the expression of Na+/I- symporter (NIS) mRNA and protein. METHODS: Iodide uptake was analyzed in FTRL-5 cells by measuring (125)I concentrations in cells after a 30-min exposure to 0.1 microCi carrier-free Na (125)I in the presence or absence of hCG or, for control purposes, TSH. Expression of NIS mRNA and NIS protein synthesis were evaluated, respectively, with a semiquantitative 'multiplex' RT-PCR method and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Iodide uptake was increased by hCG in a dose- and time-dependent manner: maximal effects were observed after 72 h of stimulation. The effect was cAMP dependent and paralleled that of TSH, although it lacked the early cycloheximide-independent component seen with TSH, and its peak effect was lower. Semiquantitative multiplex RT-PCR revealed that hCG produced a significant increase in NIS mRNA levels that was detectable after 4 h and peaked after 48 h. In contrast, in TSH-stimulated FRTL-5 cells, maximum NIS mRNA expression was observed after 24 h of stimulation. Western blot analysis demonstrated that hCG also caused a 2.5-fold increase over basal values in NIS protein levels, which was similar to that observed after TSH stimulation although the peak effects of the latter hormone were less marked and occurred earlier. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that hCG stimulates iodide uptake in FRTL-5 cells by increasing NIS mRNA and protein levels. Thus, the functional status of the thyroid may be influenced by hCG-dependent changes in NIS expression occurring during pregnancy.

Animals↗