LITERATURE UPDATE
may impact decisions regarding functional imaging in patients with high suspicion of metastasis and influence targeted treatment strategies.
Diagnosis of PPGLs primarily relies on biochemical testing, measuring catecholamines or their metabolites in plasma or urine. However, molecular testing, functional imaging, and targeted therapies have greatly enhanced diagnostic precision and management. Personalised treatment approaches based on genetic profiling are becoming integral to the clinical management of these tumours.
In South American countries like Colombia, functional imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with tracers like 18F-DOPA, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), and 68Ga-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin receptor-targeting peptides (68Ga- DOTA-SST) are used to guide follow-up and treatment strategies. Radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 DOTATATE is employed for patients showing uptake in 68Ga-DOTA-SST PET/CT scans, while access to 131-MIBG therapy remains limited due to high costs and availability. Recent clinical trials have shown
promise for systemic therapies such as sunitinib and cabozantinib, offering
potential new options for patients with slow or moderate progression of PPGLs. These advancements underscore the potential of personalised and targeted therapies to improve outcomes in this challenging patient population.
Laboratory Testing for Endocrine Hypertension: Current and Future Perspectives Courcelles L, Stoenoiu M, Haufroid V et al. Clin Chem. 2024 May 2; 70 (5): 709–26. doi: 10.1093/clinchem/hvae022.
Secondary hypertension (SH) is a form of high blood pressure caused by an identifiable underlying condition. Although it accounts for a small fraction of the overall hypertensive population, detection and management of SH is of utmost importance because SH phenotypes carry a high cardiovascular risk and can possibly be cured by timely treatment. This review focuses on the endocrine causes of SH, such as primary aldosteronism, Cushing syndrome, thyroid disease, phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma, acromegaly, and rare monogenic forms. It discusses current biomarkers, analytical methods, and diagnostic strategies, highlighting advantages and limitations of each
approach. It also explores the emerging -omics technologies that can provide a comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of SH and its underlying mechanisms.
Endocrine SH is a heterogeneous and complex condition that requires proper screening and confirmatory tests to avoid diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes. Careful biomarker interpretation is essential due to potential interferences, variability, and method- dependent differences. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry is a superior method for measuring low-concentration hormones and metabolites involved in SH, but it requires expertise. Omics approaches have great potential to identify novel biomarkers, pathways, and targets for SH diagnosis and treatment, especially considering its multifactorial nature.
Genetic Testing Referral Rates for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma in an Academic Tertiary Centre
Ruhle B, Kim NE, Ngo S et al. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2025 Aug; 103 (2): 147-156. doi: 10.1111/cen.15248.
Clinical guidelines recommend genetic counselling for all patients with
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