Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) originate from serotonin-producing enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the intestinal mucosa. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are mainly used to control hormonal secretion and tumor growth. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to the control of SI-NETs are unknown. Although microRNAs (miRNAs) are post transcriptional regulators deeply studied in many cancers, are not well-defined in SI-NETs. We adopted a two-pronged strategy to investigate SSAs and miRNAs: first, to provide novel insights into how SSAs control NET cells, and second, to identify an exclusive SI-NET miRNA expression, and investigate the biological functions of miRNA targets. To accomplish the first aim, we treated CNDT2.5 cells with octreotide for 16 months. Affymetrix microarray was performed to study gene variation of CNDT2.5 cells in the presence or absence of octreotide. The study revealed that octreotide induces six genes, ANXA1, ARHGAP18, EMP1, GDF15, TGFBR2 and TNFSF15. To accomplish the second aim, SI-NET tissue specimens were used to run genome-wide Affymetrix miRNA arrays. The expression of five miRNAs (miR-96, -182, -183, -196a and -200a) was significantly upregulated in laser capture microdissected (LCM) tumor cells versus LCM normal EC cells, whereas the expression of four miRNAs (miR-31, -129-5p, -133a and -215) was significantly downregulated in LCM tumor cells. We also detected nine tissue miRNAs in serum samples, showing that the expression of five miRNAs is significantly increased in SSA treated patients versus untreated patients. Conversely, SSAs do not change miRNA expression of four low expressed miRNAs. Silencing miR-196a expression was used to investigate functional activities in NET cells. This experimental approach showed that four miR-196a target genes, HOXA9, HOXB7, LRP4 and RSPO2, are significantly upregulated in silenced miR-196a NET cells. In conclusion, ANXA1, ARHGAP18, EMP1, GDF15, TGFBR2 and TNFSF15 genes might regulate cell growth and differentiation in NET cells, and play a role in an innovative octreotide signaling pathway. The global SI-NET miRNA profiling revealed that nine selected miRNAs might be involved in tumorigenesis, and play a potential role as novel markers for follow-up. Indeed, silencing miR-196a demonstrated that HOXA9, HOXB7, LRP4 and RSPO2 genes are upregulated at both transcriptional and translational levels.

Introdução: A acromegalia é uma doença rara, caracterizada pela produção aumentada de hormônio do crescimento, causada geralmente por um adenoma hipofisário, ocasionando uma série de comorbidades como apneia do sono e resistência insulínica que acarretam um aumento na mortalidade e redução da expectativa de vida. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da terapêutica da apneia do sono com um dispositivo de pressão positiva contínuas nas vias aéreas (CPAP) e avaliar o impacto desta terapêutica na resistência insulínica pela realização do clamp euglicêmico hiperinsulinêmico (CEH). Pacientes: De 156 acromegálicos regularmente atendidos na unidade de Neuroendocrinologia do HC-FMUSP, foram selecionados 12 indivíduos com apneia do sono de moderada a grave em uso de análogos da somatostatina (AS). Método: Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos com seis integrantes. O grupo A iniciou o tratamento com CPAP, e o grupo B, um adesivo dilatador nasal com efeito de placebo. A avaliação basal incluiu a polissonografia, determinação do GH, IGF-1, HbA1c, ácidos graxos livres, lípides, CEH, bem como os índices de resistência periférica à insulina (HOMA, HOMA2 e QUICKI). Após 3 meses de tratamento, os pacientes foram reavaliados pelos mesmos exames, sendo trocado o tratamento entre os grupos e feita nova avaliação, após mais 90 dias. Resultados: Analisando os resultados finais de todos os pacientes que fizeram uso do CPAP, foi observada uma redução significante na resistência periférica à insulina, verificada pelo índice de sensibilidade derivado do clamp (ISCLAMP, pré e pós- CPAP, 3,83 versus 6,11, p=0,032). Esta redução não foi observada no grupo que fez uso do adesivo nasal (ISCLAMP, pré e pós-adesivo, 5,53 versus 5,19, p=0,455). Não houve diferença significante nos níveis de lípides, HbA1c nem nos índices de resistência periférica à insulina. Conclusão: O tratamento da apneia do sono moderada a grave com CPAP, em pacientes acromegálicos em uso de AS, levou a uma redução da resistência periférica à insulina aferida pelo CEH, dado não observado por meio dos índices HOMA, HOMA2 e QUICKI / Introduction. Acromegaly is a rare disease, characterized by the production of high GH levels usually by pituitary adenoma leading to comorbidities as sleep apnea and insulin resistance, bringing increase of mortality and life span reduction. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of treatment of sleep apnea with a continuous positive air pressure device (CPAP) on the insulin resistance by performing the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC). Patients: From 156 acromegalic patients regularly attended on Neuroendocrine Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School, 12 subjects on somatostatin analogs (SA) harboring moderate to severe sleep apnea were selected. Methods: Patients were randomized in two groups of six subjects. Group A started treatment with CPAP while group B started treatment using a nasal dilator adhesive with placebo effect. Basal assessment included polysomnography, determination of GH, IGF-1, HbA1c, free fat acids, lipids assays, HEC as well as insulin resistance indexes (HOMA, HOMA2 and QUICKI). Patients were reevaluated after three months of treatment by the same tests and then the treatment was switched between groups with new assessment 90 days later. Results: A significant reduction on insulin resistance determined by the clamp derived sensibility index was observed after assessing the final data of all patients on CPAP (SICLAMP, pre and post CPAP, 3,83 versus 6,11, p=0,032). This reduction was not seen in the nasal dilator adhesive group (SICLAMP, pre and post adhesive, 5,53 versus 5,19, p=0,455). There was no significant difference on lipids, HbA1c or on peripheral insulin resistance indexes. Conclusion: CPAP treatment of acromegalic patients on AS with moderate to severe sleep apnea leaded to significant reduction on peripheral insulin resistance assessed by the HEC. HOMA, HOMA2 and QUICK did not detect this data

Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumor (SI-NET) is the most common small bowel tumor in Europe and USA, with an annual incidence of around 0.3-1.3/100000 persons. SI-NETs are the most common type of gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs), and they are known for their ability to produce hormones such as tachykinins and serotonin, as well as for their favorable long-term prognosis in comparison to gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. The overall aim of the thesis was to investigate unknown or unclear aspects of SI-NET disease, in connection with prognosis, treatment and follow-up. Paper I confirmed several known negative prognostic factors and also showed, for the first time, that para-aortal lymph node metastases and peritoneal carcinomatosis were associated with worse survival by multivariable analyses. Locoregional surgery was associated with a low post-operative mortality, and a prolonged long-term survival by multivariable analysis. In Paper II we continued to investigate peritoneal carcinomatosis and found it be a risk factor not only for death, but also for emergency re-surgery. Furthermore, genetic analyses of samples from primary tumors in patients with and without peritoneal carcinomatosis showed a difference in the DNA between these two groups. In Paper III the outcome after liver surgery and/or radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases was investigated. To summarize, no difference in survival was seen in patients treated with surgery/radiofrequency ablation in comparison with matched controls. However, a superior radiological response of liver metasases and lower U-5-HIAA values were seen in patients subjected to liver surgery and/or radiofrequency ablation compared to matched controls. Paper IV compared ultrasonography, computed tomography and 11C-5HTP-PET in the follow-up after radiofrequency ablation of NET liver metastases. The study concluded that 11C-5HTP-PET depicted all residual tumors after RFA and that it, if used, should be combined with computed tomography for easier interpretation, as RFA areas are not clearly distinguishable with 11C-5HTP-PET alone. Paper V studied gallstone complications after somatostatin analog treatment in SI-NET patients, and concluded that there was a rather high risk to be subjected to a cholecystectomy due to biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis or pancreatitis after primary surgery in somatostatin analog treated patients.

Introdução: A acromegalia é uma doença rara, caracterizada pela produção aumentada de hormônio do crescimento, causada geralmente por um adenoma hipofisário, ocasionando uma série de comorbidades como apneia do sono e resistência insulínica que acarretam um aumento na mortalidade e redução da expectativa de vida. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da terapêutica da apneia do sono com um dispositivo de pressão positiva contínuas nas vias aéreas (CPAP) e avaliar o impacto desta terapêutica na resistência insulínica pela realização do clamp euglicêmico hiperinsulinêmico (CEH). Pacientes: De 156 acromegálicos regularmente atendidos na unidade de Neuroendocrinologia do HC-FMUSP, foram selecionados 12 indivíduos com apneia do sono de moderada a grave em uso de análogos da somatostatina (AS). Método: Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos com seis integrantes. O grupo A iniciou o tratamento com CPAP, e o grupo B, um adesivo dilatador nasal com efeito de placebo. A avaliação basal incluiu a polissonografia, determinação do GH, IGF-1, HbA1c, ácidos graxos livres, lípides, CEH, bem como os índices de resistência periférica à insulina (HOMA, HOMA2 e QUICKI). Após 3 meses de tratamento, os pacientes foram reavaliados pelos mesmos exames, sendo trocado o tratamento entre os grupos e feita nova avaliação, após mais 90 dias. Resultados: Analisando os resultados finais de todos os pacientes que fizeram uso do CPAP, foi observada uma redução significante na resistência periférica à insulina, verificada pelo índice de sensibilidade derivado do clamp (ISCLAMP, pré e pós- CPAP, 3,83 versus 6,11, p=0,032). Esta redução não foi observada no grupo que fez uso do adesivo nasal (ISCLAMP, pré e pós-adesivo, 5,53 versus 5,19, p=0,455). Não houve diferença significante nos níveis de lípides, HbA1c nem nos índices de resistência periférica à insulina. Conclusão: O tratamento da apneia do sono moderada a grave com CPAP, em pacientes acromegálicos em uso de AS, levou a uma redução da resistência periférica à insulina aferida pelo CEH, dado não observado por meio dos índices HOMA, HOMA2 e QUICKI / Introduction. Acromegaly is a rare disease, characterized by the production of high GH levels usually by pituitary adenoma leading to comorbidities as sleep apnea and insulin resistance, bringing increase of mortality and life span reduction. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of treatment of sleep apnea with a continuous positive air pressure device (CPAP) on the insulin resistance by performing the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC). Patients: From 156 acromegalic patients regularly attended on Neuroendocrine Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School, 12 subjects on somatostatin analogs (SA) harboring moderate to severe sleep apnea were selected. Methods: Patients were randomized in two groups of six subjects. Group A started treatment with CPAP while group B started treatment using a nasal dilator adhesive with placebo effect. Basal assessment included polysomnography, determination of GH, IGF-1, HbA1c, free fat acids, lipids assays, HEC as well as insulin resistance indexes (HOMA, HOMA2 and QUICKI). Patients were reevaluated after three months of treatment by the same tests and then the treatment was switched between groups with new assessment 90 days later. Results: A significant reduction on insulin resistance determined by the clamp derived sensibility index was observed after assessing the final data of all patients on CPAP (SICLAMP, pre and post CPAP, 3,83 versus 6,11, p=0,032). This reduction was not seen in the nasal dilator adhesive group (SICLAMP, pre and post adhesive, 5,53 versus 5,19, p=0,455). There was no significant difference on lipids, HbA1c or on peripheral insulin resistance indexes. Conclusion: CPAP treatment of acromegalic patients on AS with moderate to severe sleep apnea leaded to significant reduction on peripheral insulin resistance assessed by the HEC. HOMA, HOMA2 and QUICK did not detect this data

<p>We treated 16 patients with somatostatin analogs combined with α-interferon and achieved a biochemical and/or radiological response in 56% (median duration 22 months). We consider this treatment a good alternative for patients who fail during chemotherapy or who do not want to/cannot receive cytotoxic drugs.</p><p>Thirty-six patients with neuroendocrine tumors were treated with cisplatin combined with etoposide. Of 14 patients with evaluable EPTs, 50% responded radiologically and/or biochemically (median duration 9 months). We consider this treatment useful as first-line medical treatment in aggressive EPTs or in patients failing prior chemotherapy.</p><p>Twenty-eight tumor tissues from EPTs were examined with immunohistochemistry regarding expression of somatostatin receptors (ssts) 1 to 5 on tumor cells and in intratumoral vessels. We found that sst₂ and sst₄ were highly expressed on tumor cells and in vessels. However, sst₃ and sst₅ were lacking in half of the tumor tissues and in most of the vessels. Because of the variability in sst expression, we recommend analysis of each individual’s receptor expression before starting treatment.</p><p>Endocrine pancreatic tumors (EPTs) are rare with an incidence of 4 per million inhabitants. In the majority of cases they grow slowly, but there are exceptions with very rapidly progressing malignant carcinomas. First-line medical treatment is streptozotocin combined with 5-fluorouracil.</p><p>We examined 38 tumor samples regarding expression of tyrosine kinase receptors platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs), c-kit and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We found that the receptors were expressed in more than half of the tumor tissues. Further studies will reveal if tyrosin kinase antagonists can be part of the future treatment arsenal.</p>

We treated 16 patients with somatostatin analogs combined with α-interferon and achieved a biochemical and/or radiological response in 56% (median duration 22 months). We consider this treatment a good alternative for patients who fail during chemotherapy or who do not want to/cannot receive cytotoxic drugs. Thirty-six patients with neuroendocrine tumors were treated with cisplatin combined with etoposide. Of 14 patients with evaluable EPTs, 50% responded radiologically and/or biochemically (median duration 9 months). We consider this treatment useful as first-line medical treatment in aggressive EPTs or in patients failing prior chemotherapy. Twenty-eight tumor tissues from EPTs were examined with immunohistochemistry regarding expression of somatostatin receptors (ssts) 1 to 5 on tumor cells and in intratumoral vessels. We found that sst2 and sst4 were highly expressed on tumor cells and in vessels. However, sst3 and sst5 were lacking in half of the tumor tissues and in most of the vessels. Because of the variability in sst expression, we recommend analysis of each individual’s receptor expression before starting treatment. Endocrine pancreatic tumors (EPTs) are rare with an incidence of 4 per million inhabitants. In the majority of cases they grow slowly, but there are exceptions with very rapidly progressing malignant carcinomas. First-line medical treatment is streptozotocin combined with 5-fluorouracil. We examined 38 tumor samples regarding expression of tyrosine kinase receptors platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs), c-kit and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We found that the receptors were expressed in more than half of the tumor tissues. Further studies will reveal if tyrosin kinase antagonists can be part of the future treatment arsenal.