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Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021 Mar 3:111226. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Endocrinology; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy; Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (Pan-NETs), are heterogeneous neoplasms, whose incidence and prevalence are increasing worldwide. Pan-NETs are characterized by the expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTs). In particular, SST2 is the most widely distributed SST in NETs, thus representing the main molecular target for somatostatin analogs (SSAs). Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Feb 15;11(2). Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Center for Gastroenterology, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo 006-0811, Hokkaido, Japan.

Although pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are relatively rare tumors, their number is increasing with advances in diagnostic imaging modalities. Even small lesions that are difficult to detect using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can now be detected with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Contrast-enhanced EUS is useful, and not only diagnosis but also malignancy detection has become possible by evaluating the vascularity of tumors. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Feb 22;11(2). Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Department of Internal Medicine II, Gastroenterology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.

Loss of Somatostatin Receptor 2 (SSTR2) expression and rising CXC Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4) expression are associated with dedifferentiation in neuroendocrine tumors (NET). In NET, CXCR4 expression is associated with enhanced metastatic and invasive potential and worse prognosis but might be a theragnostic target. Likewise, activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling may promote a more aggressive phenotype in NET. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Feb 17;11(2). Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Experimental Neuropathology Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Insurgentes Sur 3877, Mexico City 14269, Mexico.

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) can be unpredictable and aggressive tumors. No reliable markers of their biological behavior have been found. Here, a proteomic analysis was applied to identify proteins in the expression profile between invasive and non-invasive PAs to search for possible biomarkers. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 Feb 18;11(2). Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are relatively rare neoplasms arising from the hormone-producing neuroendocrine system that can occur in various organs such as pancreas, small bowel, stomach and lung. As the majority of these tumors express somatostatin receptors (SSR) on their cell membrane, utilization of SSR analogs in nuclear medicine is a promising, but relatively costly approach for detection and localization. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT (Gallium-68 DOTA-TATE Positron emission tomography/computed tomography) compared to In-pentetreotide SPECT/CT (Indium-111 pentetreotide Single Photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography) and to CT (computed tomography) alone in detection of NETs. Read More