Carney complex (CNC) is a genetic syndrome predisposing individuals to multiple neoplasms and is characterized by significant clinical heterogeneity. Tumors in bone occur rarely in this disease. When present, they are generally osteochondromyxomas (OMX), a neoplasm almost pathognomonic of CNC. Herein, we report the case of a 21-year-old woman with CNC who presented with an extensive bone lesion in the left temporal bone of the skull, which was surgically removed. It was not an OMX; instead, it was identified as fibrous dysplasia (FD). Additionally, a post-surgical whole-body bone scintigraphy revealed multiple foci of intense radiopharmaceutical uptake in the skull, facial bones, and the right femur, which are still under investigation but may correspond to polyostotic FD and/or multiple OMX. To our knowledge, this is the first report linking FD to CNC in humans, although this is a well-known feature of McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) and has been described in mice bearing defects of the protein kinase A (PKA), the signaling system affected in both syndromes. Increased PKA activity by defects in GNAS or PRKAR1A, the genes mutated in MAS or CNC, respectively, leads to the proliferation of cells of intermediate differentiation contributing to bone tumor formation. In conclusion, our case underscores the clinical overlap between CNC and MAS and shows that in addition to OMX, FD may also occur in patients with CNC, expanding the clinical spectrum of manifestations in this syndrome.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease, neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis complex, and Carney complex are inherited disorders associated with an increased risk of developing multiple tumors in both endocrine and non-endocrine organs. Although each syndrome results from different genetic alterations, all are transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner (or occur de novo) and show considerable variability in their clinical presentation. Endocrine manifestations include pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, neuroendocrine tumors, adrenocortical lesions, and pituitary disease. Recognizing these syndromes is important, as it allows appropriate surveillance, identification of affected family members, and the use of targeted treatments when available. In this review, we discuss the genetic basis, clinical manifestations, and current management of these disorders, with particular attention to their endocrine features and recent therapeutic developments in a practical and accessible manner for endocrinologists involved in the care of these patients.

This Viewpoint discusses the strategic use of adrenal vein sampling to guide personalized care in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Recent advances in molecular pathology have elucidated the genetic underpinnings of benign aldosterone- and cortisol-producing adrenal lesions, identifying genes encoding mainly potassium and voltage-gated calcium channels in primary aldosteronism (PA), and PRKACA, PRKAR1A, ARMC5 in hypercortisolism. These insights are increasingly guiding precise, function-preserving surgery, such as mini back scope adrenalectomy (MBSA) at high-volume centers with reduced morbidity and risk of adrenal insufficiency, even in complex bilateral cases. Postoperative pathological analysis assessing hormone secretion and genetics provides prognostic information and directs further therapy, whether medical or surgical. A modern approach to PA and hypercortisolism, influenced by an enhanced understanding of the molecular pathophysiology, is likely to improve outcomes and expand adrenalectomy usage and indications as the morbidity and mortality associated with these endocrinopathies are increasingly recognized.

Structural variants (SVs) that disrupt topologically associating domains can cause disease by rewiring enhancer-promoter interactions. Duplications involving GPR101 are known to cause X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) through ectopic GPR101 expression, but not all of these duplications are pathogenic. This presents a diagnostic challenge, especially in the prenatal setting. We evaluated POSTRE, a tool that predicts the regulatory impact of SVs, to distinguish pathogenic from benign GPR101 duplications. We analyzed seven non-pathogenic duplications and 27 known X-LAG-associated duplications. To enable predictions in an X-LAG-relevant tissue, enhancer maps built using H3K27ac ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and RNA-seq data derived from human anterior pituitary samples (NIH research protocol 97-CH-0076, Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT00001595, submitted on 11 March 1999) were integrated into POSTRE. POSTRE correctly classified all 34 duplications as benign or pathogenic. In addition, one X-LAG case with mild clinical features (i.e. severe growth hormone hypersecretion without pituitary tumorigenesis) was found to include only 2/5 VGLL1 enhancers, whereas all typical X-LAG cases had ≥4 enhancers duplicated. This suggests that partial enhancer hijacking at VGLL1 could explain the different clinical features in this individual. These findings support the utility of POSTRE to support diagnostic pipelines when interpreting SVs affecting chromatin architecture in pituitary disease and highlight its potential to reduce uncertainty in genetic counseling without requiring chromatin conformation capture assays.

Background:Carney-Stratakis syndrome (CSS), a rare condition characterized by paragangliomas and/or pheochromocytomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), is caused by germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit genes (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD). Methods:Histological, genetic, and functional analyses were conducted in a 59-year-old female with CSS (9 cm left pheochromocytoma, 4.8 cm paraganglioma, and 9.3 cm GIST). Whole-exome sequencing (WES) of germline DNA paired with tumor DNA was performed. Results:WES identified a rare heterozygous germline variant (c.293G>A/p.Arg98His) in the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier gene (SLC25A11). This variant, located in a highly conserved residue of the SLC25A11 mitochondrial carrier domain, is predicted to be deleterious in silico (REVEL score = 0.81). WES of pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma, and GIST did not reveal somatic pathogenic variants in genes previously associated with these tumors. A significant reduction in SLC25A11 expression was observed in the tumors of this patient with the SLC25A11 c.293G>A variant (0.69 ± 0.003) compared to tumors from cluster 1 (1.39 ± 0.45; P = 0.0229) and cluster 2 (1.79 ± 0.71; P = .0154). Consistent with the mRNA findings, SLC25A11 protein levels were markedly reduced in the pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma compared to other tumors. Negative staining for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in all 3 tumors suggests a DNA hypermethylation profile characteristic of cluster 1A, despite normal SDHB expression levels. However, genome-wide copy number variation analysis did not reveal any loss of heterozygosity at the SLC25A11 locus. Conclusion:The loss of SLC25A11 expression in tumors, the absence of somatic drivers, and the hypermethylation status strongly support the role of SLC25A11 in CSS pathogenesis.

Aldosterone plays a critical role in sodium homeostasis by binding to the mineralocorticoid receptor promoting sodium retention. It increases the expression of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) and sodium-potassium ATPases in the renal distal tubules and collecting ducts. Defects in aldosterone synthesis lead to hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hyperreninemia, metabolic acidosis, and hypovolemia. We present a 7-year-old boy with holoprosencephaly, dysmorphic features, and short stature presenting with persistent hyponatremia since birth and occasional hypokalemia and hyporeninemia. Initial whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a novel in-frame SHH variant, NM_000193.4:c.755_757del (p.Phe252del); possible aldosterone deficiency due to adrenocortical hypoplasia caused by the SHH variant did not fully explain the patient’s clinical presentation, prompting further investigation. Deep analysis of the WES data revealed a second variant of unknown significance in the SCNN1G gene affecting the γ-ENaC subunit, namely NM_001039.4.1904 C > T (p.Ala635Val), which was previously unreported in association with a clinical phenotype. Electrophysiological studies of the amiloride-sensitive current before and after trypsin exposure showed that the γ-ENaC-A635V mutation reduced the amiloride-sensitive sodium current by approximately 30

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is characterised by combined occurrence of parathyroid tumours, duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and anterior pituitary adenomas. Some patients might also develop thymic and bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumours, and adrenal tumours. MEN1 is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the tumour-suppressor gene MEN1, which encodes a scaffold protein, menin. Without treatment, patients with MEN1 have high morbidity and premature mortality, which can be mitigated by early tumour detection and intervention. Identification of individuals at high risk for MEN1 can be facilitated by genetic testing of patients and their first-degree relatives, and undertaking periodic clinical, biochemical, and radiological screening in patients and MEN1 mutation carriers. However, no consensus exists regarding the optimal assessment and management of MEN1. To provide such recommendations, a multidisciplinary group was convened to undertake systematic reviews and a meta-analysis of the literature, and to use a Delphi approach for the development of consensus statements. 55 clinical recommendations were developed to guide clinicians, patients, and stakeholders about approaches for MEN1 in adults and children.

DICER1 syndrome (DICERs) represents a tumor predisposition genetic syndrome, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Germline loss-of-function variants of the DICER1 gene lead to impaired processing of microRNA, gene expression, and increased risk of tumorigenesis. Although pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the hallmark of the syndrome, multiple extrapulmonary malignant and non-malignant conditions have also been described, including multinodular goiter (MNG) and sex-cord stromal tumors. MNG is one of the most common components and is associated with an increased risk of thyroid carcinoma. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (SLCT) represents the most prevalent type of sex-cord stromal tumor associated with the syndrome, whereas juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) is considered to be a very rare phenotype. They both may present with abdominal pain due to mass effect and menstrual irregularities in case of hormone production. Although they exhibit low rates of mortality, recurrence rates highly depend on the grade of malignancy. Herein, we report a novel pathogenic DICER1 variant associated with MNG, bilateral ovarian SLCT, and JGCT in a young Greek patient. Clinicians should be aware of a potential germline DICER1 variant when evaluating MNG in young patients, especially if it coexists with other neoplasms.

BackgroundPrimary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome due to bilateral adrenocortical macronodules. Germline inactivating variants of the tumor suppressor gene ARMC5 are responsible for 20-25% of apparently sporadic PBMAH cases and 80% of familial presentations. ARMC5 screening is now routinely performed for PBMAH patients and families. Based on literature review and own observation, this study aims to give an overview of both published and unpublished ARMC5 genetic alterations and to compile the available evidence to discriminate pathogenic from benign variants.Results146 different germline variants (110 previously published and 36 novel) are identified, including 46% missense substitutions, 45% truncating variants, 3% affecting splice sites, 4% in-frame variants and 2% large deletions. In addition to the germline events, somatic 16p loss-of-heterozygosity and 104 different somatic events are described. The pathogenicity of ARMC5 variants is established on the basis of their frequency in the general population, in silico predictions, familial segregation and tumor DNA sequencing.ConclusionsThis is the first extensive review of ARMC5 pathogenic variants. It shows that they are spread on the whole coding sequence. This is a valuable resource for genetic investigations of PBMAH and will help the interpretation of new missense substitutions that are continuously identified.

INTRODUCTION:ARMC5 is the most prevalent gene predisposing to Primary Bilateral Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia (PBMAH), but germline KDM1A variants have been identified in the rare PBMAH associated with food-dependent Cushing's syndrome (FDCS). The purpose of this work was to assess the frequency of KDM1A variants in a large series of PBMAH patients. METHODS:301 consecutive PBMAH index cases from 8 international Endocrinology departments were included. Clinical, biological and imaging data were collected retrospectively. RESULTS:10 (3.3%) patients carried a germline KDM1A pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant, 60 (19.9%) carried a germline ARMC5 alteration, 231 (76.8%) had no identified genetic predisposition. FDCS was present in all patients with KDM1A variants and absent in the 2 other groups. KDM1A patients had a higher 24h urinary free cortisol (3.0-fold ULN vs 1.36 for ARMC5 patients and 0.66 for wild-type patients, respectively, p=0.0001). In accordance with FDCS pathophysiology, patients with KDM1A variants had a lower morning fasting plasma cortisol (192 nmol/L vs 407 and 428, respectively, p=0.0003) and a higher midnight plasma cortisol (487 nmol/L vs 297 and 171.96, respectively, p=0.0004). Morning/midnight plasma cortisol ratio below 0.65 holds 100% sensitivity and specificity for the detection of FDCS. All patients with KDM1A variants were women, vs 65% of ARMC5 patients and 67% of wild-type patients (p=0.0337). CONCLUSION:KDM1A germline pathogenic variants are rare in PBMAH and account for less than 5% of index cases. KDM1A seems constantly associated with FDCS, which can be evoked in front of a morning/midnight plasma cortisol ratio below 0.65.

Hereditary endocrine neoplasia syndromes comprise multiple entities associated with an increased risk for the development of endocrine and nonendocrine neoplasms and other systemic manifestations. These syndromes typically demonstrate autosomal dominant inheritance, and each syndrome is associated with a unique genetic predisposition to a distinct spectrum of tumor susceptibility. Moreover, genotype-phenotype associations within each syndrome may affect the spectrum, penetrance, and age of onset of associated tumors. As many endocrine tumors are benign and/or indolent, a careful approach to monitoring is necessary, wherein the nature, timing of initiation, and frequency of presymptomatic surveillance balance the goal of detecting tumors at a point in which intervention would limit tumor-associated morbidity against the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of surveillance. In this study, we summarize changes in knowledge and practice recommendations related to children with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes (types 1, 2A, 2B, 4, and 5), hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome, and Carney complex since an initial summary in 2017. These updates reflect the evolving understanding of these complex genetic disorders and aim to improve patient care and outcomes.