Obesity is an excessive accumulation or expansion of adipose tissue (AT) due to an increase in either the size and/or number of its characteristic cell type, the adipocyte. As one of the most significant public health problems of our time, obesity and its associated metabolic complications have demanded that attention be given to finding effective therapeutic options aimed at reducing adiposity or the metabolic dysfunction associated with its accumulation. Growth hormone (GH) has therapeutic potential due to its potent lipolytic effect and resultant ability to reduce AT mass while preserving lean body mass. Read More
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Although somatostatin analogues (SSAs) are recommended as the first-line medical therapy for acromegaly, dopamine agonists (DAs) are also a therapeutic option for treatment. We aimed to assess and compare the efficacies of DAs and SSAs in treating acromegaly in clinical practice. We included 89 patients with acromegaly who took DAs (bromocriptine [BCT], n = 63; cabergoline [CAB], n = 11) or SSAs (n = 15) as a primary medical therapy for more than 3 months in the Seoul National University Hospital. Read More
Introduction The goal of the study was to investigate fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels in acromegalic patients in relation to the disease activity and to compare them with controls. Further, we aimed to evaluate the associations between FGF-21 and random growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), metabolic and anthropometric parameters. Materials and methods The study group consisted of 50 acromegalic patients divided into 3 subgroups on the basis of disease activity (AA - active acromegaly, CD - controlled disease, CA - cured acromegaly). Read More
Purpose: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the long-term endocrine outcomes and postoperative complications following endoscopic vs. microscopic transsphenoidal resection (TSR) for the treatment of acromegaly.
Methods: A literature review was performed, and studies with at least five patients who underwent TSR for acromegaly, reporting biochemical remission criteria and long-term remission outcomes were included. Read More
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are main cause of morbidity and mortality in acromegaly. Polymorphisms of FTO gene are associated with obesity and increased risk of CVD (independently of BMI). Aim of this study was to investigate the allele frequencies of two FTO gene polymorphisms: rs9939609 and rs9930506 in patients with acromegaly and to examine the association of FTO gene polymorphisms with BMI and selected metabolic parameters. Read More
Service d'Endocrinologie, Diabétologie et Nutrition, CHU Hassan II de Fès, Maroc.
Somatotroph adenomas are rare in the aging population. Diagnosis of somatotroph adenomas is often long delayed and they are characterized by atypical clinical picture. Their diagnostic criteria are similar to those used for younger patients. Read More
A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for detailed examination of acromegaly because she noticed bilateral hand and finger swelling at the age of 43 and plantar thickening, facial changes and unclear articulation at the age of 49. She had prominent brow ridges, mandibular protrusion, and enlargement of the hands, feet, nasal wings, lips and tongue. Her growth hormone (GH) level was 39. Read More
Pharmacogenetics aims to maximize the beneficial effects of a medical therapy by identifying genetic finger prints from responders and non-responders and, thereby, improving safety and efficacy profile of the drug. Most subjects who are deficient in growth hormone (GHD) are candidates for recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy. To date, it is well established that even after adjustments for several clinical variables, such as age, gender, body composition and the age at onset of the GHD, response to rhGH treatment is highly variable among individuals, part of which is believed to be due to genetic factors within the GH system. Read More
Pasireotide is a somatostatin analog (SSA) that targets somatostatin receptor subtype 1 (SST1), SST2, SST3, and SST5 with a high affinity. Pasireotide has a better antisecretory effect in acromegaly, Cushing's disease, and neuroendocrine tumors than octreotide. In this study, we compared the effects of pasireotide to those of octreotide in vitro on meningioma primary cell cultures, both alone and in combination with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. Read More
Acromegaly is a rare disease with nonspecific symptoms with acral enlargement being almost universally present at diagnosis. The estimated prevalence is 40-125 cases/million but targeted universal screening studies have found a higher prevalence (about 10 fold). The aim of the ACROSAHS study was to investigate the prevalence of acromegaly and acromegaly comorbidities in patients with sleep apnea symptoms and acral enlargement. Read More
Purpose: Despite availability of multimodal treatment options for acromegaly, achievement of long-term disease control is suboptimal in a significant number of patients. Furthermore, disease control as defined by biochemical normalization may not always show concordance with disease-related symptoms or patient's perceived quality of life. We developed and validated a tool to measure disease activity in acromegaly to support decision-making in clinical practice. Read More
Background: Transsphenoidal surgery is the first choice treatment for acromegaly. Postoperative remission is an important predictor of outcome. Various factors have been described as markers of remission preoperative mean growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels, cavernous sinus invasion, tumor size, extra pseudocapsule resection, and experience of the surgeon. Read More
Objective: Most sellar gangliocytomas are discovered with a concurrent pituitary adenoma, also known as a mixed gangliocytoma-adenoma (MGA). MGAs are rare with less than 100 cases reported in the literature and only one previously documented surgical series. As MGAs are radiologically indistinguishable from pituitary adenomas, their diagnosis is often made following surgery. Read More
Introduction: With the goal of generate uniform criteria among centers dealing with pituitary tumors and to enhance patient care, the Pituitary Society decided to generate criteria for developing Pituitary Tumors Centers of Excellence (PTCOE).
Methods: To develop that task, a group of ten experts served as a Task Force and through two years of iterative work an initial draft was elaborated. This draft was discussed, modified and finally approved by the Board of Directors of the Pituitary Society. Read More
Growth hormone (GH) and insulinlike growth factor (IGF) promote aging and age-related pathologies. Inhibiting this pathway by targeting IGF receptor (IGF-1R) is a promising strategy to extend life span, alleviate age-related diseases, and reduce tumor growth. Although anti-IGF-1R agents are being developed, long-term effects of IGF-1R blockade remain unknown. Read More
Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) have pleiotropic effects on the skeleton throughout the lifespan by influencing bone formation and resorption. Despite these positive effects on skeletal metabolism, in presence of GH and IGF-1 excess, bone turnover increases excessively leading to deterioration of bone microarchitecture and high risk of fragility fractures, thereby impairing quality of life.
Evidence Acquisition: Coexistent hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, hypovitaminosis D, hyperparathyroidism and over-replacement with glucocorticoids impair bone framework, however, the effects of acromegaly on bone mineral density (BMD) are still controversial and despite normalization of bone turnover after treatment, the risk for fractures remains increased. Read More
Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate the psychological profile of patients with acromegaly in comparison to other chronic diseases such as non-functioning pituitary adenomas, Cushing disease, plaque psoriasis, and to the healthy control group.
Materials And Methods: A total sample of 153 participants in clinical groups underwent a cross-sectional assessment including the quality of life (AcroQoL, WHOQoL-BREF), psychiatric morbidity (GHQ-28) and the acceptance of illness (AIS) and 65 participants in the healthy control group.
Results: The whole study sample had a predominance of urban married females (61%) with the medium level of education (41%). Read More
Introduction: In Romania no nationwide data for acromegaly treatment and control rate are available. Our objective was to assess the acromegaly control rate in a tertiary referral center which covers an important part of Romanian territory and population of patients with acromegaly.
Material And Methods: We reviewed the records of all 164 patients (49 males and 115 female; median age 55 (47, 63. Read More
Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health; Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
Background: This study aimed to investigate preoperative somatostatin analogs (SSAs) treatment on the surgical outcome in patients with acromegaly.
Methods: An analysis of 358 patients with acromegaly was conducted. The preoperative medical therapy group (81 patients) received SSA treatment for at least 3 months prior to surgery, while the primary surgery group (277 patients) underwent transsphenoidal surgery directly. Read More
Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2017 Aug 5;38(4):301-309. Epub 2017 Aug 5.
Department of Industrial Design and Graduate Institute of Business and Management College of Management, Chang Gung University, affiliated with Division of Metabolism, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Guishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the size, angles and positional characteristics of facial anthropometry between "acromegalic" patients and control subjects. We also identify possible facial soft tissue measurements for generating discriminant functions toward acromegaly determination in males and females for acromegaly early self-awareness.
Material And Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Read More
Background: A functional pituitary adenoma can produce multiple anterior-pituitary hormones, such as growth hormone (GH) -producing adenomas (GHoma) with prolactin or thyrotropin stimulating hormone production in the same lineage. However, it is very rare that acromegaly shows subclinical Cushing's disease (SCD) beyond the lineage. Here we describe the involvement of intratumoral coexistence with 2 types of hormone-producing cells associated with different lineage in acromegaly concomitant with SCD. Read More
OBJECTIVE Surgery is generally the first-line therapy for acromegaly. For patients with residual or recurrent tumors, several treatment options exist, including repeat surgery, medical therapy, and radiation. Reoperation for recurrent acromegaly has been associated with poor results, with hormonal control usually achieved in fewer than 50% of cases. Read More
Purpose: Growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas (PAs) in childhood or young adulthood are rare, and the details surrounding these tumors remain enigmatic. We present the clinical, pathological and genetic features of this disease.
Methods: We identified 25 patients aged 20 years or younger with GH-producing PAs who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2016 at Toranomon Hospital in Tokyo. Read More
Growth Horm IGF Res 2017 Aug 24;36:16-21. Epub 2017 Aug 24.
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gröna Stråket 8, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address:
Background: The suggested criteria for biochemical remission in patients treated for acromegaly were recently modified. The aim of this project was to study to what extent this modification influences remission rates.
Design, Patients And Methods: This was a retrospective study of 55 consecutive patients [29 men; median age 47years (interquartile range 38-68)] diagnosed with acromegaly between 2003 and 2014. Read More
Introduction: Skeletal fragility with high risk of vertebral fractures is an emerging complication of acromegaly in close relationship with duration of active disease. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of vertebral fractures in males and females with a history of long-standing active acromegaly undergoing treatment with Pegvisomant.
Subjects And Methods: Thirty-eight patients (25 females, 13 males) with acromegaly under Pegvisomant therapy were evaluated for vertebral fractures and bone mineral density at lumbar spine and femoral neck. Read More
Although the current remission criteria for acromegaly are clear and concise, some pitfalls have been reported in early endocrinological evaluation after surgery. To evaluate the long-term (>4 year) outcome and to detect the pitfalls in early evaluation, we retrospectively reviewed 128 patients with acromegaly who underwent primary transsphenoidal surgery during 2011 and 2012. These included 66 men and 62 women, aged from 7 to 76 (mean 46) years old. Read More
Classic somatostatin analogues aimed at somatostatin receptor type 2, such as octreotide and lanreotide, represent the first-line treatment for acromegaly, which normally decrease hormone secretion and reduce tumour size; nevertheless, patients with a germline mutation in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein gene, AIP, develop young-onset acromegaly, poorly responsive to pharmacological therapy. In this review, we summarise the most recent studies on AIP-related pituitary adenomas, paying special attention to: the causes of the resistance to treatment in acromegaly; the somatostatin receptor profile in the somatotrophinoma, especially type 2, and type 5 and its truncated variants; the role of G proteins in this pathology; the use of pasireotide, a novel multi-ligand somatostatin analogues; and the role of ZAC1, a zinc-finger protein which, among other functions, acts as a key mediator in octreotide response in somatotrophinoma models and, interestingly, its expression is linked to AIP. Read More
Background: Studies comparing primary medical treatment of acromegaly with surgery are often non-randomized, and not stratified by illness severity. We prospectively compared primary medical therapy with pituitary surgery in patients with acromegaly. All patients had macroadenomas, at least one random human growth hormone (GH) level ≥12. Read More
Acromegaly is caused by excessive growth hormone secretion, usually from pituitary adenomas. Somoatostatin analogues are widely used as primary or adjunctive therapy in the management of acromegaly. In this report, we present a case with remarkable shrinkage of a tumor after relatively short-term octreotide long-acting release (LAR) administration. Read More
Purpose: This study aimed to explore different aspects of executive function in patients with acromegaly and investigate the cause of dysexecutive syndrome in these patients.
Methods: We conducted five typical executive function tests (Stroop test, verbal fluency [VF] test, Hayling Sentence Completion Test [HSCT], N-back test, and Sustained Attention to Response Task [SART]) on 42 acromegalic patients and 42 strictly matched healthy controls. Comparative analyses were conducted for five major executive function domains. Read More
Purpose: Somatostatin analogs are widely used to treat conditions associated with hormonal hypersecretion such as acromegaly and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. First generation somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide and lanreotide, have high affinity for somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), but have incomplete efficacy in many patients. Pasireotide targets multiple SSTRs, having the highest affinity for SSTR5, but causes hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus in preclinical and clinical studies. Read More
Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare disorder characterized by excess secretion of growth hormone and its principle mediator, insulin-like growth factor-1. Although acromegaly is frequently associated with osteoarthritis, the outcome of arthroplasty in this population is not documented.
Case Report: We report here a case of aseptic loosening of an uncemented total hip arthroplasty acetabulum in an acromegalic patient that was revised with a cemented cup. Read More
Background: Acromegaly is caused by elevated secretion of human growth hormone, which is frequently because of intracranial tumors. This diagnosis is fairly uncommon with an incidence of 3 to 4 cases per million patients per year. We are presenting a case of acromegaly diagnosed in an active duty Chief Petty Officer. Read More
People with pituitary disease report impairments in quality of life. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of the pituitary condition on the lives of partners. Four focus groups of partners of people with pituitary disease (Cushing's disease, non-functioning adenoma, acromegaly, prolactinoma) were conducted. Read More
Medizinische Klinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Purpose: Acromegaly is a rare disease generally brought about by a benign tumour in the pituitary and characterized by growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) excess. Increased mortality has been related to cardiovascular events that could be linked to these hormones and patients suffer from high rates of diabetes and hypertension. In this study, we examine if the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke differ from that of the general population. Read More
Introduction: The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of carbohydrate changes in patients diagnosed with acromegaly, and to evaluate what happens two years after treatment. It was also intended to assess which factors are associated to the occurrence of such changes.
Material And Methods: Sixty-six patients diagnosed with acromegaly at our center were enrolled and divided into groups with normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes, and diabetes. Read More
Background: Acromegaly is a rare and serious syndrome that is commonly associated with pituitary neoplasms. Thyroid multinodular disease is a common finding in acromegaly. Leptin is a polypeptide hormone, and studies have shown that it can increase cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Read More
Laboratory of Molecular Target Therapy for Cancer, Graduate School for Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
Pituitary adenomas are often treated with radiotherapy for the management of tumor progression or recurrence. Despite the improvement in cure rates, patients treated by radiotherapy are at risk of development of secondary malignancies. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of the secondary intracranial tumors that occurred following radiotherapy to pituitary adenomas to obtain clinicopathological characteristics. Read More
Context: Both acromegaly and adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) are associated with increased fracture risk. Sufficient data are lacking regarding cortical bone microarchitecture and bone strength, as assessed by micro-finite element analysis (µFEA).
Objective: To elucidate both cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture and estimated bone strength in men with active acromegaly or GHD compared to healthy controls. Read More
Background: Acromegaly is a rare, slowly progressive disorder resulting from excessive growth hormone (GH) production by a pituitary somatotroph tumor. The objective of this study was to examine acromegaly treatment outcomes during long-term care at a specialized pituitary center in patients presenting with lack of biochemical control.
Methods: Data came from an acromegaly registry at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Pituitary Center (center). Read More
Introduction: Double adenomas in the pituitary gland are a rare occurrence. The ability to cure a hormone-producing adenoma with surgery is dependent on the ability to identify and completely remove the correct adenoma. The relative frequency of each subtype of hormone-secreting adenomas confirmed with magnetic resonance image (MRI), surgery and immunohistochemistry is not defined. Read More
Acromegaly is a serious disease that affects the pituitary gland causing unusual growth in patients. There are various dental manifestation of the condition and it is plausible that a dentist will be the first to recognize the problem. This article describes the disease and the dental implications for patients who have it. Read More
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 530, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Purpose: This analysis evaluates the 2-year effectiveness and safety of lanreotide depot/autogel (LAN), as well as treatment convenience and acromegaly symptom relief, from the Somatuline(®) Depot for Acromegaly (SODA) registry, a post-marketing, open-label, observational, multicenter, United States registry study.
Methods: Patients with acromegaly treated with LAN were eligible for enrollment. Demographics, LAN dose, extended dosing interval (EDI) (interval of injections ≥42 days), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone (GH), glycated hemoglobin, adverse events (AEs), injection convenience, and symptom data were collected. Read More
In patients with acromegaly, chronic excess of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) leads to the development of acromegalic cardiomyopathy. Its main features are biventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and in later stages, systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Surgical and/or pharmacological treatment of acromegaly and control of cardiovascular risk factors help reverse some of these pathophysiologic changes and decrease the high risk of cardiovascular complications. Read More
Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by chronic growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion. While diagnostic and therapeutic methods have advanced, little information exists on trends in acromegaly characteristics over time. The Liège Acromegaly Survey (LAS) Database, a relational database, is designed to assess the profile of acromegaly patients at diagnosis and during long-term follow-up at multiple treatment centers. Read More
Environ Res 2017 Oct 18;158:660-668. Epub 2017 Jul 18.
Division of Oncological Endocrinology, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, I-10126 Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy. Electronic address:
An increased rate of acromegaly was reported in industrialized areas, suggesting an involvement of environmental pollutants in the pathogenesis and behavior of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Based on these premises, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of some widely diffused pollutants (i.e. Read More
The granulation pattern of somatotroph adenomas is well known to be associated with differing clinical and biochemical characteristics, and it has been shown that sparsely granulated tumours respond poorly to commonly used somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs). We report a challenging case of acromegaly with a sparsely granulated tumour resistant to multiple modalities of treatment, ultimately achieving biochemical control with pasireotide. A 26-year-old lady presented with classical features of acromegaly, which was confirmed by an oral glucose tolerance test. Read More