ESPE Abstracts

Although craniopharyngiomas are low-grade tumours, long-term survivors frequently suffer from severe morbidity due to hypothalamic lesions, such as hypothalamic obesity, that is largely resistant to lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. We investigated the efficacy of bariatric surgery in two patients with craniopharyngioma-related hypothalamic obesity during 18 months of follow-up. Patient n1, diagnosed with craniopharyngioma and treated with complete surgical excision ...

A 5-years-old boy was admitted because of polydipsia and polyuria. His family history was unremarkable. After water deprivation test (10h), laboratory test showed high levels of serum sodium (150.1 mmol/L), low urine osmolarity (88 mOsm/kg) and high serum osmolarity (301 mOsm/kg) consistent with the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). He started therapy with oral desmopressin with clinical improvement. Brain MRI revealed pituitary stalk thickening (3 mm), no hyperin...

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 ...

Background: overexpression of the oncogene Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a Hippo pathway target, associates with increased cell proliferation in some human cancers. There is not data on adrenocortical tumors (ACT). YAP1 is a potential target of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which plays an important role in ACTs.Objective and hypotheses: to evaluate the role of YAP1 and its interaction with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ACT.Met...

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...

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...

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...

Introduction: Gonadotoxicity associated with chemotherapy of hematologic malignancies has been described mainly in adults, focused on the sensitivity of germ cells. Little attention has been placed on Sertoli cells during childhood and puberty, even though Sertoli cell development is essential for adult spermatogenesis.Objective: To assess function of the pituitary-testicular axis, with emphasis on Sertoli cell function,...

Introduction: Iodine is necessary for thyroid hormone synthesis, but when exposed to large quantities, iodine may have an inhibitory effect on hormone synthesis leading to hypothyroidism, known as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. Newborns may be exposed to iodine through various events in early life. In 2012 three index cases with suspected iatrogenic hypothyroidism due to iodinated contrast exposure were discovered at the Neonatal department, The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospit...

Background: Among children with idiopathic short stature, Italian data reported a prevalence of short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency disorders (SHOX-D) near to 1/1.000-2.000 (1.1-15%) with a wide phenotypic spectrum. Current guidelines support recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in SHOX-D children, but long-term data are still lacking. This national survey aims to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of rhGH therapy in Italian...