ESPE Abstracts

Background: Impairment of the chromatin remodeling factors ATRX and DAXX and telomeres abnormality play a role in cancer biology, influencing the clinical outcomes. However, their roles in adrenal tumorigenesis require broader investigation.Aim: To evaluate ATRX and DAXX genotype and expression, telomere length, and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), as well as their clinical significance, in primary adrenoc...

Abnormal DNA methylation contributes to tumor progression and is emerging as a prognostic marker in several types of cancers. To investigate whether DNA methylation is associated with pediatric adrenocortical tumor (pACT) presentation and patient prognosis, we analyzed the methylation profile of 57 tumors (MethylationEPIC BeadChip Array-Illumina) and patients’ clinicopathological features and outcome. The study comprehended 40 girls and 17 boys, with median age at diagnos...

Introduction: Leptin, some cytokines and triglycéride/colesterol -HDL ratio (TG/C-HDL ratio) are markers of insulin-resistance in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Due to the high prevalence of this pathology it’s necessary to find and easy and better routinely marker that identify these patients in the outpatient clinic. Previous results demonstrated that TG/C-HDL ratio >2 was a better predictor of metabolic syndrome (sensitivity 100%; specificit...

Children diagnosed with adrenocortical tumors (ACT) have variable prognosis depending on disease presentation at diagnosis. Available therapeutic options render excellent outcome for a subset of patients, but limited improvement in the survival of those diagnosed with non-localized/advanced disease. ACT DNA methylation was recently demonstrated to be a robust and independent prognostic biomarker. Aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets for these children, we compared ...

Aim: To uncover a feasible tumor expression prognostic signature and potential therapeutic targets for children with pACT.Methods: Tumor RNAseq from 53 pACT children (70% girls, median age: 1.7yrs) was performed (Illumina). Using a robust, state-of-the-art, differential gene expression analysis pipeline, differentially expressed genes (DEGs: adjusted P<0.05 and |log2 fold-change|>1) were identified (DESeq2...

Background: Hyperthyroidism is a condition rarely found in children. In the majority of cases, it is a Grave's disease whose clinical expression is very similar to that observed in adults.Objective: describe the clinical, evolutionary and therapeutic epidemiological features in children with hyperthyroidism and especially Grave's disease.Materials and Methods: This is a ret...

Cushing’s disease (CD) is defined as hypercortisolism secondary to an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secreting pituitary adenoma. It is rare in the pediatric age and early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent long-term complications. In the diagnostic workup, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) of ACTH after corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation is the gold standard in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. We re...

Background: Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is frequent in adrenocortical tumors (ACTs). This pathway and DAX1, a negative regulator of SF1 expression, control adrenal stem/progenitor cells, which can be involved in ACTs formation.Objective: To analyse the association between the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the expression of a stem cell marker (NANOG), STAT3, DAX1 and SF1 in ACTs.Methods: Patients:...

Keywords: Basal ganglia calcifications, hypoparathyroidism, farh's diseaseIntroduction: Fahr syndrome is a rare anatomical-clinical entity, defined radiologically by the presence of bilateral, symmetrical, non-arteriosclerotic triatopallidodentate calcifications. Its diagnosis is radiological, and must be distinguished from Fahr's disease, which corresponds to the presence of calcifications without abnormalitie...

An 11-year-old female presents with a 6-week history of double and blurred vision associated with headaches and neck swelling. Thyroid function tests demonstrated antibody negative hypothyroidism and connective tissue disorder screening was negative. The patient was commenced on thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine). 5 days later, she re-presented with strabismus and progressive diplopia. Intracranial imaging was performed to rule out space occupying masses. A diagnosis ...