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Albert Vu Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Constance Chik Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Sarah Kwong Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Summary

Non-islet cell tumour hypoglycemia (NICTH), typically mediated by insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), is a rare but highly morbid paraneoplastic syndrome associated with tumours of mesenchymal or epithelial origin. Outside of dextrose administration and dietary modification which provide transient relief of hypoglycemia, resection of the underlying tumour is the only known cure for NICTH. Available medical therapies to manage hypoglycemia include glucocorticoids, recombinant growth hormone, and pasireotide. We report two cases of IGF-2 mediated hypoglycemia. The first was managed surgically to good effect, highlighting the importance of a timely diagnosis to maximise the likelihood of a surgical cure. The second patient had unresectable disease and was managed medically, adding to a growing number of cases supporting the efficacy of glucocorticoids and recombinant growth hormone in NICTH.

Learning points

  • Recurrent fasting hypoglycemia in the setting of a malignancy should raise suspicion of non-islet cell tumour hypoglycemia (NICTH), which is typically mediated by IGF-2.

  • The initial workup for NICTH should include a serum glucose, C-peptide, insulin, insulin antibodies, beta-hydroxybutyrate, IGF-2, IGF-1, and sulphonylurea screen during a spontaneous or induced hypoglycemic episode.

  • An IGF-2/IGF-1 ratio above 10 is highly suggestive of IGF-2-mediated hypoglycemia if the IGF-2 level is normal or elevated. False positives may be seen with sepsis and cachexia as both IGF-2 and IGF-1 are subnormal in these cases. A low IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), such as in renal failure, may also result in a falsely normal or low IGF-2/IGF-1 ratio.

  • Surgical resection of the associated tumour is curative in most NICTH cases.

  • When the tumour is unresectable, moderate-dose glucocorticoids, low-dose glucocorticoids in combination with recombinant growth hormone, and pasireotide are medical therapies with promising results in controlling NICTH.

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Micah A Fischer Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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Ghada A Elmahmudi Department of Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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Bracha K Goldsweig Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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Salaheddin H Elrokhsi Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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Summary

Multiple research studies address the anti-insulinemic effect of growth hormone (GH). We report a case of a patient with anterior hypopituitarism on GH replacement who later developed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy was discontinued at the time of growth completion. Because of significantly improved glycemic control, this patient was weaned off subcutaneous insulin. He regressed from stage 3 to stage 2 T1DM and remained in this status for at least 2 years and until the writing of this paper. The diagnosis of T1DM was established based on relatively low C-peptide and insulin levels for the degree of hyperglycemia as well as seropositivity of zinc transporter antibody and islet antigen-2 antibody. Additional laboratory data obtained 2 months after discontinuing rhGH revealed improved endogenous insulin secretion. This case report calls attention to the diabetogenic effect of GH therapy in the setting of T1DM. It also demonstrates the possibility of regression from stage 3 T1DM requiring insulin therapy to stage 2 T1DM with asymptomatic dysglycemia after discontinuing rhGH.

Learning points

  • Given the diabetogenic effect of growth hormone, blood glucose levels should be monitored in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on insulin therapy and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement.

  • Clinicians should closely monitor for risk of hypoglycemia after discontinuing rhGH among T1DM patients who are on insulin treatment.

  • The discontinuation of rhGH in the setting of T1DM may cause regression of symptomatic T1DM to asymptomatic dysglycemia requiring no insulin treatment.

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L Aliberti Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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I Gagliardi Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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M Pontrelli Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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M C Zatelli Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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M R Ambrosio Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

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Summary

Tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is due to an overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by mesenchymal tumours, causing hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia and muscle weakness. TIO is usually cured by tumour resection, but neoplasms may be unidentifiable and unresectable or the patient may refuse surgery. In these cases, medical treatment with oral phosphate and calcitriol is mandatory, but it is not fully effective and it is associated with low compliance. Burosumab, a human MAB against FGF23 employed to treat X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), has recently been approved for TIO in the USA. Maximum burosumab dose in XLH is 90 mg administered for 2 weeks; there are no data on clinical efficacy and safety of this dose in TIO. We reported the case of a 73 years old male with multiple non-traumatic fractures, low bone mineral density, pain and reduced independence of activities of daily living. Biochemical evaluation showed hypophosphatemia, high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and normal albumin-corrected total calcium and parathyroid hormone. Tubular phosphate reabsorption was low (80%), whereas C-terminal tail of FGF23 (cFGF23) was elevated. A 68Ga-DOTATOC PET was performed, identifying a lesion in the first left rib. The patient refused surgery; therefore, burosumab therapy was started. After 18 months of treatment (maximum dose: 60 mg administered for 2 weeks), plasma phosphate normalized and ALP levels improved (138 U/L). Patient clinical symptoms as well as pain severity and fatigue improved. Neither adverse events nor tumour progression was reported during follow-up except for a painless fracture of the second right rib.

Learning points

  • Our case shows efficacy and safety of burosumab treatment administered every 2 weeks in a tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO) patient.

  • After 18 months of treatment at a maximum dose of 60 mg every 2 weeks, we found plasma phosphate normalization and ALP reduction as well as improvement in clinical symptoms and fatigue.

  • Neither adverse events nor tumour progression was reported during follow-up, except for a painless fracture of the second right rib.

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