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13 pages, 1378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Bone Metastases in Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Clinical Presentation, Treatment and Impact on Prognosis

by Roberta Modica, Elio Benevento, Barbara Altieri, Roberto Minotta, Alessia Liccardi, Giuseppe Cannavale, Gianfranco Di Iasi and Annamaria Colao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8957; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168957 - 17 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1004

Abstract

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (L-NEN) are heterogeneous tumors. While bone metastases (BM) have been associated with worse prognosis in other NEN, their role in L-NEN deserves in-depth analysis. This study analyzes the clinical presentation, treatment and survival outcomes of L-NEN, focusing on patients with BM compared with patients without metastases or with metastases in other sites (OtherMtx). The clinicopathological and survival data of L-NEN admitted to the Federico II University were retrospectively evaluated. Fifty L-NEN were included. Among 27 metastatic patients (54%), 13 (26%) had BM, more commonly occurring in males than females and in primary bilateral L-NEN or L-NEN > 26 mm, with higher Ki67. Atypical carcinoid and hypovitaminosis D were associated with BM. The number of metastatic sites was higher in patients with BM than OtherMtx. Synchronous metastases were associated with shorter overall survival (OS). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in patients with BM were similar to OtherMtx, but a two-times increased risk of shorter OS was detected. BM do not impact PFS or OS more than OtherMtx, but the increased risk of shorter OS in patients with BM should be considered. Periodic bone evaluation in L-NEN should be recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Bone Metabolism and Disorders)

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11 pages, 725 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Systemic Immune–Inflammation Index (SII) as Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC)

by Roberta Modica, Roberto Minotta, Alessia Liccardi, Giuseppe Cannavale, Elio Benevento and Annamaria Colao

J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(6), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13060953 - 5 Jun 2023

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3342

Abstract

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm, and calcitonin is its main biomarker. An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) have been considered as negative prognostic factors in several neoplasms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential role of NLR, PLR and SII as biomarkers in MTC. Clinical data and tumor histological characteristics of patients with sporadic MTC, referred to the NET Unit of Federico II University of Naples (ENETS CoE) from 2012 to 2022, were retrospectively evaluated by analyzing preoperative and postoperative calcitonin, NLR, PLR and SII. We included 35 MTC patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. The mean preoperative NLR was 2.70 (±1.41, 0.93–7.98), the PLR was 121.05 (±41.9, 40.98–227.23) and SII was 597.92 (±345.58, 186.59–1628). We identified a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-thyroidectomy NLR (p = 0.02), SII (p = 0.02) and calcitonin (p = 0.0) values. No association with prognosis or tumor characteristics emerged. Elevated preoperative NLR and SII suggest a possible disease-associated inflammatory response, and their reduction after surgery may be related to debulking effects. Further studies are needed to define the role of NLR, PLR and SII as prognostic markers in MTC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine 2.0)

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10 pages, 798 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vitamin D and Bone Metabolism in Adult Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

by Roberta Modica, Barbara Altieri, Francesco D’Aniello, Elio Benevento, Giuseppe Cannavale, Roberto Minotta, Alessia Liccardi, Annamaria Colao and Antongiulio Faggiano

Metabolites 2023, 13(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020255 - 9 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4675

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic multisystemic autosomal dominant disorder determining reduced life expectancy due to higher risk of developing benign and malignant tumors. Low levels of vitamin D and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) have been reported in young patients with NF1. However, correlation between vitamin D and NF1 phenotype needs to be elucidated. Aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels and bone metabolism in NF1 patients, analyzing potential correlations with clinical phenotype. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a monocentric series of NF1 patients, evaluating genotype, clinical phenotype, BMD, biochemical evaluation with focus on serum 25OH-vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphate levels. Correlations between clinical manifestations, neurofibromas, and vitamin D status have been studied in comparison with healthy controls. 31 NF1 adult patients were matched for sex, age and body mass index with 31 healthy controls. A significantly difference in vitamin D level emerged in NF1 patients compared to controls. Interestingly low vitamin D levels correlated with a more aggressive phenotype and with a bigger size of neurofibromas. These data underline that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency may play a role in clinical severity of neurofibromas in patients with NF1, suggesting the need to check bone status and replace vitamin D in these patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Diet on Vitamin D Metabolism: Implications in Health and Disease)

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11 pages, 2862 KiB

Open AccessReview

Lipid Metabolism and Homeostasis in Patients with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: From Risk Factor to Potential Therapeutic Target

by Roberta Modica, Anna La Salvia, Alessia Liccardi, Giuseppe Cannavale, Roberto Minotta, Elio Benevento, Antongiulio Faggiano and Annamaria Colao

Metabolites 2022, 12(11), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo12111057 - 2 Nov 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2240

Abstract

Lipid metabolism is known to be involved in tumorigenesis and disease progression in many common cancer types, including colon, lung, breast and prostate, through modifications of lipid synthesis, storage and catabolism. Furthermore, lipid alterations may arise as a consequence of cancer treatment and may have a role in treatment resistance. Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with increasing incidence, whose mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression are far from being fully understood. Alterations of lipid metabolism may be common across various cancer types, but data about NENs are scattered and heterogeneous. Herein, we provide an overview of the relevant literature on lipid metabolism and alterations in NENs. The available evidence both in basic and clinical research about lipid metabolism in NENs, including therapeutic effects on lipid homeostasis, are summarized. Additionally, the potential of targeting the lipid profile in NEN therapy is also discussed, and areas for further research are proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Syndrome in Neuroendocrine Tumors)

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