United States

The male reproductive tract development has been predominantly dependent upon androgen action, which is mainly mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). Under the influence of androgen actions, the primitive male reproductive tract, also known as the Wolffian duct, is first stabilized then differentiates into the epididymis, vas deference and seminal vesicle. Impairment of androgen signaling during fetal programming causes a spectrum of male reproductive disorders that manifest in adulthood. Despite the dominant roles of androgen action in the male reproductive tract development, it has been noticed that androgen&#39;s capability in promoting Wolffian duct survival and development is completely lost in the absence of Wnt9b. Wnt9b belongs to the WNT family of secreted proteins. It is specifically expressed in the Wolffian duct epithelium to regulate the surrounding mesenchyme. This project aims to investigate why the androgen action fails to maintain the male reproductive tract in the absence of Wnt9b. We first examined the expression pattern of Wnt9b during the window of sexual differentiation, which was not investigated in the previous publication. We found that during sexual differentiation, Wnt9b is still specifically expressed in the Wolffian duct epithelium in both XX and XY embryos. Androgen action exists in XY but not in the XX embryos during sexual differentiation. These observations indicate that Wnt9b does not lie downstream of the androgen signaling. We are in process of collecting Wnt9b+/+ and Wnt9b-/- male embryos to examine whether expression of AR and AR downstream genes is altered in the absence of Wnt9b. In addition, WNT9B can activate two intracellular pathways under the context of target cells: β-catenin dependent and independent pathways. Since Wolffian duct mesenchyme is the major target of epithelium-derived WNT9B, we next determined which pathways WNT9B acts through in the mesenchyme by specific deletion of β-catenin in the Wolffian duct mesenchyme. Interestingly, the loss of β-catenin in the mesenchyme led to the partial degeneration of Wolffian ducts at the caudal region and cystic formations at the cranial region, the similar phenotypes observed in mesenchymal AR knockout male embryos. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the local WNT9B/β-catenin pathway provides the permissive signaling for androgen actions in Wolffian duct development.

ENDO 2022

Why Does Androgens Fail to Promote the Survival of the Wolffian Duct in the Absence of Wnt9b?

**Program**
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more than 100 in-person and virtual sessions with another 70+ in-person only sessions;
six plenary sessions including plenaries on Envisioning Future Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes and Addressing Challenges in Fertility and Reproduction;
over 20 Meet the Professor sessions presented both in-person and live-streamed virtually and another 20+ presented live in Atlanta;
four Basic Science Pathways, including Diabetes and Metabolism; Neuroendocrinology; Nuclear Receptors and Signaling; and Reproductive Endocrinology; and
more than 30 oral sessions and a robust virtual poster hall for accepted scientific abstracts.

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Our ENDO 2022 lineup of sessions offers a unique opportunity to dive into topics from nearly every major therapeutic area of endocrinology and hormone science. Listen, learn, and be inspired by world-class faculty who are at the forefront of scientific discovery and high-quality health care.

**Basic Science Pathways**

These special “meeting-within-a-meeting” tracks integrate focused discussions, poster sessions, and networking opportunities to provide you with the latest research in:
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Neuroendocrinology
Nuclear Receptors and Signaling
Reproductive Endocrinology

**Meet the Professor & Meet the Scientist**
Discover insights from experts on treating a variety of endocrine conditions and emerging science in the field of endocrinology, and learn the latest in patient care and scientific research.

ENDO’s comprehensive program provides attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in hormone science and medicine from renowned investigators, expert clinicians, and educators from all over the world. 

The male reproductive tract development has been predominantly dependent upon androgen action, which is mainly mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). Under the influence of androgen actions, the primitive male reproductive tract, also known as the Wolffian duct, is first stabilized then differentiates into the epididymis, vas deference and seminal vesicle. Impairment of androgen signaling during fetal programming causes a spectrum of male reproductive disorders that manifest in adulthood. Despite the dominant roles of androgen action in the male reproductive tract development, it has been noticed that androgen's capability in promoting Wolffian duct survival and development is completely lost in the absence of Wnt9b. Wnt9b belongs to the WNT family of secreted proteins. It is specifically expressed in the Wolffian duct epithelium to regulate the surrounding mesenchyme. This project aims to investigate why the androgen action fails to maintain the male reproductive tract in the absence of Wnt9b. We first examined the expression pattern of Wnt9b during the window of sexual differentiation, which was not investigated in the previous publication. We found that during sexual differentiation, Wnt9b is still specifically expressed in the Wolffian duct epithelium in both XX and XY embryos. Androgen action exists in XY but not in the XX embryos during sexual differentiation. These observations indicate that Wnt9b does not lie downstream of the androgen signaling. We are in process of collecting Wnt9b+/+ and Wnt9b-/- male embryos to examine whether expression of AR and AR downstream genes is altered in the absence of Wnt9b. In addition, WNT9B can activate two intracellular pathways under the context of target cells: β-catenin dependent and independent pathways. Since Wolffian duct mesenchyme is the major target of epithelium-derived WNT9B, we next determined which pathways WNT9B acts through in the mesenchyme by specific deletion of β-catenin in the Wolffian duct mesenchyme. Interestingly, the loss of β-catenin in the mesenchyme led to the partial degeneration of Wolffian ducts at the caudal region and cystic formations at the cranial region, the similar phenotypes observed in mesenchymal AR knockout male embryos. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the local WNT9B/β-catenin pathway provides the permissive signaling for androgen actions in Wolffian duct development.

technical paper

Abstract:
Background: Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism can be caused by congenital or acquired causes. These can range from chromosomal abnormalities, enzymatic defects or mutations that cause gonadotropin resistance, trauma, chemotherapy, infections etc. It is uncommon in females other than in Turner syndrome and not all the genetic etiologies are known.
Clinical Case: A 15 10/12 year old female with primary amenorrhea and absent pubertal development presented with FSH and LH levels of 35.24 mIU/mL and 14.38 mIU/mL, respectively and non-pubertal estradiol levels of 4 pg/mL consistent with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Her evaluation showed a normal 46,XX female karyotype and no evidence of hyperandrogenism or thyroid dysfunction. Ultrasound showed no evidence of ovaries and a rudimentary uterus measuring 0.9 cm x 1.4 cm x 1.2 cm with a delayed bone age of 12 years. Family history was positive for mother having delayed puberty with menarche at 16.5 years of age. Patient was started on hormone replacement therapy with transdermal estrogen. Four months after treatment she developed breast buds and vaginal discharge. After 1.5 years, the uterus measurements were 5.7 cm x3.7 cm x2.2 cm although no ovarian tissue or follicles were identified on MRI. Her biochemical profile also showed decreases in FSH (3.48 mIU/mL) and LH (0.99 mIU/mL) and an increase in estradiol (38pg/mL).
Exome sequencing was performed and revealed biallelic missense variants c.766C>T, p.(Pro256Ser) and c.1036G>C p.(Gly346Arg) in exon 2 of the INHA (NM_002191) gene. Both variants are rare in the human population, seen in a heterozygous state with a global allele frequency (gnomADv2.1) of 0 and 0.00002790 (rs780833794), respectively, and predicted to be damaging by bioinformatic tools. INHA, a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, encodes the alpha subunit of glycoprotein hormones inhibin A and B. Studies in animal models indicate that inhibin A negatively regulates follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion by suppressing FSHR expression and plays a crucial role in ovarian steroid hormone production, follicular development, proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells, and oocyte maturation.
Heterozygous pathogenic variants in the INHA gene have been reported in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and secondary amenorrhea¹, while our patient with biallelic variants in INHA is affected by gonadal dysgenesis, primary amenorrhea, absence of puberty, a more severe POI phenotype.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case of biallelic mutations in INHA gene leading to a severe phenotype (gonadal dysgenesis, primary amenorrhea and absence of puberty) compared to heterozygous mutations that lead to POI with secondary amenorrhea.
¹References: Marozzi A, Porta C, et al. 2002. Mutation analysis of the inhibin alpha gene in a cohort of Italian women affected by ovarian failure. Human Reproduction Vol. 17 No.7 1741-1745

Biallelic variants in the INHA gene are the cause of gonadal dysgenesis, primary amenorrhea and absence of puberty in the setting of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism

BACKGROUND: Kisspeptin is a critical activator of hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons and has significant potential to treat common reproductive disorders. To date, kisspeptin has solely been administered to humans via the intravenous or subcutaneous routes, however intranasal administration could offer a novel non-invasive delivery route, which is preferred by patients. We therefore sought to determine the effects of intranasal kisspeptin on reproductive hormone release in humans for the first time.

METHODS: Randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 12 healthy men (mean±SEM age 28.3±1.7 yrs; BMI 24.5±0.7 kg/m²). After monitored self-administration of intranasal kisspeptin-54 (3.2, 6.4, 12.8 and 25.6 nmol/kg) or 0.9% saline, serum reproductive hormone levels were measured every 15 minutes for four hours. Subsequently, four women (mean age 29.8±3.7 yrs; BMI 21.2±1.1 kg/m²) with hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) attended for the same protocol comparing intranasal kisspeptin-54 (12.8 nmol/kg) and 0.9% saline. Mean ±SEM was presented unless otherwise stated. Time profiles of hormone levels during the four-hour study were compared using two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's multiple comparison test. Multiple means were compared using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's multiple comparison test.

RESULTS: In healthy men, intranasal kisspeptin dose-dependently increased mean luteinising hormone (LH) levels at doses between 3.2-12.8 nmol/kg (p=0.008 and <0.0001 for 6.4 and 12.8 nmol/kg vs saline, respectively), with the maximal rises occurring at 30-45 minutes post-administration. Correspondingly, the area under the curve (AUC) for the LH change was significantly elevated following all doses of kisspeptin compared to saline (saline: -25.4±70.5 h.IU/L; 3.2 nmol/kg: 172.2±64.2 h.IU/L [p=0.03]; 6.4 nmol/kg: 300.2±79.2 h.IU/L [p=0.002]; 12.8 nmol/kg: 595.7±98.3 h.IU/L [p=0.001]; 25.6 nmol/kg: 549.0±108.6 h.IU/L [p<0.0001]). Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels followed a similar trajectory to LH in response to intranasal kisspeptin. Moreover, kisspeptin at 12.8 nmol/kg increased serum testosterone from 120 minutes onwards (p=0.02), with a maximal change from baseline of 4.9±0.7 nmol/L (p=0.03).
In women with HA, intranasal kisspeptin increased mean LH (p=0.002 vs saline), with the peak levels occurring at 30-45 minutes post-administration. The AUC for the LH change was 508.4±77.5 h.IU/L (p=0.02 vs saline AUC for LH). The maximal LH change from baseline was 4.1±0.9 IU/L compared to 0.2±0.4 IU/L for saline (p=0.03). Intranasal kisspeptin increased mean FSH (p=0.01 vs saline). No significant changes in downstream serum oestradiol or progesterone were observed during the acute four-hour study.

CONCLUSION: We report the first investigation of the effects of intranasal kisspeptin delivery on reproductive hormone release in humans. Our results demonstrate that intranasal kisspeptin robustly and dose-dependently stimulates reproductive hormone release in healthy men and crucially in a patient-group of women with hypogonadism. Given the ongoing development of kisspeptin therapeutics, intranasal kisspeptin therefore offers a novel, safe, effective and non-invasive route of administration for the management of reproductive disorders.

Reproductive Hormone Secretion is Increased by Intranasal Kisspeptin in Humans

Objectives: Estetrol (E4), a native estrogen produced by the fetal human liver, has four hydroxyl-groups, making it structurally distinct from other estrogens. We determined the human metabolic profile of E4, which is recently marketed combined with drospirenone as a novel contraceptive and is currently in development for the relief of menopausal symptoms.
Method: We studied the in vitro metabolism of E4 using human hepatocytes, human liver microsomes and recombinant CYP enzymes in reaction phenotyping studies to evaluate the role of human cytochrome P450 enzymes, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and sulfotransferases (SULT). Furthermore, we evaluated the in vivo metabolism of E4 in an open-label, non-randomised phase 1 human absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion study, in which six healthy postmenopausal participants received a single oral solution containing 15 mg [¹⁴C]-E4. We analysed blood (up to 240h), urine and faecal samples (up to 312h). Metabolite profiling and identification was performed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
Results: The in vitro studies showed that E4 undergoes extensive phase 2 metabolism to form glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. UGT2B7 is the key enzyme catalysing the direct glucuronidation of E4 and SULT1E1 is the dominant sulfotransferase for sulphate conjugation in vitro. Unlike for other estrogens, oxidative phase 1 metabolism by P450 enzymes does not play a major role in the metabolism of E4. Following oral administration of E4 to humans, the major metabolites observed in human plasma were E4-16-glucuronide, E4-3-glucuronide and E4-glucuronide-sulfate (respectively 62%, 17% and 9% of radioactivity at the time of maximum plasma concentration [Tmax]). At Tmax, unchanged E4 accounts for only 7.5% of plasma radioactivity. Main metabolites quantified in urine during the first 6 hours after administration were E4-16-glucuronide and E4-3-glucuronide (respectively 77.4% and 16.5% of urine radioactivity). Approximately 69% of the total administered radioactivity was recovered in urine and 22% in faeces. Mass spectrometry showed that E4 was not present in urine but was detected in faeces and that E4 is not converted back into one of the other natural estrogens (estriol, estradiol, estrone).
Conclusions: Altogether, these data suggest that E4 has a unique metabolic profile. E4 is a terminal end-product of estrogen metabolism, which is not converted back, in vivo, into active metabolites like estriol, estradiol or estrone. Unlike for other estrogens, CYP450 enzymes do not play a major role in the metabolic pathway of E4.

The Human Metabolic Profile of Estetrol

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterized by a heterogeneous genetic background. Moreover, the etiology of most POI cases remains unclear. Herein, our goal was to investigate the presence of rare deletions or duplications in patients presenting with POI, which could lead to identification of novel chromosomal regions and/or genes potentially associated with disease risk. Patients and Methods: Sixty-six patients presenting idiopathic POI were evaluated; 44 had primary amenorrhea and 22 secondary amenorrhea. Chromosomal microarray analysis was performed to detect copy number variants (CNVs) using array-CGH or SNP-array. Identified CNVs were validated by population databases of either health individuals (Database of Genomic Variants - DGV) or patients carrying chromosomal structural alterations (DECIPHER). A set of rare CNVs was selected and annotated in regard to gene content and clinical associations using bioinformatic tools (RefSeq, OMIM, PubMed, Ovarian Kaleidoscope Database, and Mouse Genome Informatics). Results: Fifteen rare CNVs were found in 13 patients, ten of them with primary amenorrhea. The identified CNVs comprised four deleted and 11 duplicated regions, in which the break points occurred intragenic in 8 of them. Most of the CNVs were mapped in the autosomes. Seven CNVs identified in 5 patients were classified as pathogenic or probably pathogenic; three were novel variants containing candidate genes associated with ovarian development [19q13.43 (NLRP5) and Xq13.2 (XIST)] or function [(2q37.3 (PER2)]. The other pathogenic CNVs were previously implicated in POI etiology; two of them [Xq27.2q28 del (14.5 Mb) and Xq22.1q27.1 dup (41.4 Mb)] were encompassed in a complex chromosome rearrangement, associated with 20p13 dup (2.7 Mb), and the last region was 15q25.2 deletion. Four VUS containing genes associated with ovarian development [2p23.1 (XDH and EHD3), 9p24.1 (KDM4C), 22q12.1 (ZNRF3)] or function [1p31.1 (PTGFR)] were identified. Conclusion: CNVs analysis indicated a genetic etiology in 10% of these POI patients. New candidate genes associated with ovarian development and function were revealed.

Copy Number Variant Analysis Reveals Novel Candidate Genes Associated with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Endometriosis is a common gynecological inflammatory disorder, which is characterized by immune system dysregulation with initiation and progression. It affects 5% to 15% of reproductive-age women and is present in as many as 30% to 50% of patients with infertility and/or pain. In previous studies, including ours, have demonstrated that several cytokines have been associated with the evolution of endometriosis, including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa). TNFa is a non-glycosylated protein which has potent inflammatory, cytotoxic, and angiogenic potential. Therefore, in the current studies, we examined the effects of TNFa over a time course in the regulation of proinflammatory and proangiogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) in primary cultures of normal endometrial stromal cells (NESC) and compared with the untreated cells derived from eutopic endometrium of endometriosis subjects (EESC). miRNAs are short, 18- to 22-nucleotide– size, non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression and are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Using NanoString nCounter-based assays and quantitative RT-PCR, we have identified levels of several proinflammatory and proangiogenic miRNAs higher in EESC than NESC. NESC treatment with TNFa significantly altered the expression of proinflammatory and proangiogenic miRNAs in a time-dependent manner. Notably, TNFa significantly decreased phosphorylation of the PI3K, AKT, and ERK signaling pathways. Moreover, treatment of EESC and NESC with curcumin (diferuloylmethane, CUR), an anti-inflammatory folk medicine in Asian countries, significantly increased the expression of anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic miRNAs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate higher inflammatory, and proangiogenic miRNA production in EESC may be due to a higher concentration of TNFa than NESC under basal conditions. Therefore, suppressing TNFa may reduce the inflammatory and angiogenic miRNA associated with endometriosis.
Sources of Research Support: This study was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grants 1SC3 GM113751, U01, 1SC1 GM130544, HD66439, 1R01HD057235, U54 CA118948, HD41749, S21MD000101 and G12-MD007602. This investigation was conducted in a facility constructed with support from Research Facilities Improvement Grant #C06 RR018386 from NIH/NCRR.

TNFa-induced altered miRNA expression links to inflammation in endometriosis

The process of gender transitioning includes the employment of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to attenuate gender dysphoria. Although considered relatively safe, there is still debate whether GAHT may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in transgender men (TM). Non-conventional subclinical cardiovascular (CV) risk markers, such as inflammation or coagulation markers, endothelial activity-related substances, and the use of ultrasound-assisted vascular function evaluation, may improve CV risk prediction in specific populations. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the available findings regarding GAHT and its effects on these non-conventional cardiovascular risk markers in TM. Medline, LILACS, SCOPUS, and Embase databases were searched for cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, or randomized clinical trial studies published until July 2020. The selection criteria for the studies were as follows: ≥ 18 years old transgender male, no established CVD, using GAHT (androgens) for at least 2 months and compared with cis women or untreated transmen or before and during/after treatment for cohort studies. From 152 studies initially identified, 7 studies (3 cohorts and 4 case-control) were included in the systematic review. Some of these studies assessed different CV risk markers in the same group of participants. No changes were found in t-PA PAI-1, ICAMs, and PCR-us after 4 and 12 months of GAHT. Fibrinogen did not differ either in TM with or with no GAHT. Three studies evaluated flow-mediated-vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. The only cohort study found no changes in FMD after 12 months of GAHT. One case-control study observed significant impaired FMD, and another one showed impaired FMD- after-nitroglycerin in transmen compared with cis women. One study reported increased homocysteine and higher carotid intima-media thickness (C-MIT) after 12 months of hormone use. Further, one study observed testosterone did not affect distensibility (DC) or compliance (CC) coefficient after 12 months, but the changes in fasting insulin levels were negatively associated with changes in the CC and DC. One study assessed the vascular function using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and observed a higher risk in TM with GAHT versus the untreated group. The results of the present systematic review suggest that GAHT may be associated with worse subclinical cardiovascular markers in TM. Further studies assessing long-term clinical follow-up of transgender men using GAHT could positively impact the prevention of CVD and management strategies for this population.

The Effect of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) on Non-Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Transgender Men: A Systematic Review

Background: Clinical evaluation of proptosis is measured by an exophthalmometer. Hertel exophthalmometer has long been considered a standard instrument for measurement of eye protrusion. The reading may be subject to error while the examiners read through the integral reflection mirrors. Luedde exophthalmometer, which is a ruler correcting for parallax, is easier to use and less expensive than Hertel exophthalmometer. Since CT scan of orbits or brain provides the most objective assessment of proptosis measurements, we aim to study the correlation between Luedde and Hertel exophthalmometers in comparison with the CT scan for the evaluation of proptosis in normal subjects.Methods: This prospective study was carried out between November 2020 and January 2021. Sixty-three patients were enrolled from a single tertiary hospital. All patients underwent CT scan of brain for medical reasons. On the same day, proptosis was measured with Hertel and Dual Luedde exophthalmometer by two independent examiners. Measurement of proptosis from CT scan was performed by one experienced neuroradiologist, using 2 reference measurement techniques. Correlation coefficients between proptosis values measured by each exophthalmometer and CT scan were compared.Results: The mean age of the participants was 63 years old and 54% were female. For the right eye, mean proptosis measurement was 14.9+/-1.6 mm by Hertel exophthalmometer, 14.1+/-2.3mm by Luedde exophthalmometer, 16.6+/-2.3 mm by first CT technique, and 13.1 +/- 2.2 mm by second CT technique. For the left eye, mean proptosis measurement was 15.5 +/-1.5mm by Hertel exophthalmometer, 13.7+/-2.3 mm by Luedde exophthalmometer, 16.6+/-2.3 mm by first CT technique and 13.1 +/- 2.2 mm by second CT technique. The Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of Hertel exophthalmometer for proptosis measurement compared to first CT technique and second CT technique were 0.63 and 0.60 for right eye; 0.61 and 0.55 for left eye, respectively. The ICC of Luedde exophthalmometer for proptosis measurement compared to first CT technique and second CT technique were 0.78 and 0.74 for right eye; 0.77 and 0.74 for left eye, respectively.Conclusion: There is a good correlation between Hertel and Luedde exophthalmometers in evaluation of proptosis. However, proptosis measured by Luedde exophthalmometer shows superior correlation with CT scan. The result suggests that Luedde exophthalmometer can be routinely used for measurement of proptosis in place of Hertel exophthalmometer, given the simplicity and the inexpensiveness of the instrument.

Comparative Study of Hertel Exophthalmometer and Luedde Exophthalmometer Versus Computed Tomography for Measurement of Proptosis in Normal Subjects

Background: Thyroid eye disease (TED) causes orbital soft tissue expansion. Teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody to the IGF-1R reduces orbital soft tissue swelling in TED. In this study, we quantified the changes to pan facial soft tissue volumes, following treatment with Teprotumumab.
Methods: In this prospective longitudinal study, all patients presenting at our institution for the treatment of TED were considered for study eligibility. Patients who were currently on any other medical therapy for TED were excluded. Further, patients who had any plans to embark on a weight loss regime, or medications that might cause weight loss were excluded. The primary outcome measure was a change in soft tissue volume of the face from baseline to within 3 weeks of the final infusion. Secondary outcome measures included changes in proptosis, clinical activity score and body weight. All patients had 3D facial imaging using the Vectra H2 (Canfield, USA). The use of this system to quantify volumetric change in facial soft tissue has previously been shown to be reliable and accurate.
We also used the Mimics (Materialise) software to build 3D reconstructions of the face from CT scans, allowing us to calculate the volume of muscle and fat tissue pre and post treatment. Relationships between continuous variables were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Intraobserver and Interobserver variability was calculated by two observers doing all calculations twice on two separate days.
Results: Forty-three patients with confirmed euthyroid status at the time of study were included. The mean duration of TED was 30 months (34). Following Teprotumumab therapy, the mean (SD) decrease in volume for each region was 0.74 mL (0.82) in the upper face, 1.9 mL (1.2) in the periorbital region, 0.18 mL (0.6) in the temples, 1.73 mL (2.2) in the midface and 2.84 mL (4.7) in the lower face. The mean (SD) decrease in the volume of the full face was 8.4 mL (8.5) (figure 2). There was a significant correlation between 3D facial imaging and volumetric study using CT scans (p < 0.05). Mean (SD) weight prior to therapy was 75 kg (12) and 69 kg (15) following therapy (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between previous steroid use and total body weight reduction and changes in facial volume.
Conclusion: The results of this study expand the borders of TED, suggesting its sequelae may reach beyond that of the orbit and periorbital tissues, to include changes across the entire face. Teprotumumab significantly reduces these changes.

Reversal of Graves' Disease Associated Facial Volume Expansion and Eyelid Changes Following Teprotumumab Therapy

Clinical manifestations of thyroid eye disease (TED) are mainly caused by the binding of immunoglobulin G (IgG) thyrotropin receptors (TSHR) autoantibodies (TSHR-Ab) on orbital fibroblasts. Batoclimab (IMVT-1401) is an anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) human monoclonal antibody that prevents normal IgG recycling, leading to reduced levels of circulating IgG. Thus, batoclimab may provide benefit for patients with TED by reducing pathogenic anti-TSHR-Ab. In this Phase 2b, double-blind, randomized study (NCT03938545), subjects with active and moderate-to-severe TED received weekly subcutaneous (SC) injections of batoclimab (680mg, 340mg, 255mg) or placebo for 12-weeksSixty-five subjects were randomized and received batoclimab (680mg [n=18], 340mg [n=19], 255mg [n=10]) or placebo (n=18). Recruitment and treatment were stopped because of an unanticipated increase in LDL cholesterol levels, not included in subject informed consent. Hence, forty-five of 77 planned subjects completed the 12-week treatment period. Serum IgG and anti-TSHR-Ab were reduced from baseline to Week-12 with batoclimab (680mg [-77.9%; -65.5%], 340mg [-65.8%; -70.1%], 255mg [-56.6%; -42.1%]) versus placebo (-4.67%; -3.23%), respectively. Substantial reductions were also observed at Week-12 in stimulatory anti-TSHR-Ab. Fifty-one of 65 subjects had proptosis ≥ upper level of normal at baseline. At Week-12 (primary outcome), greater proportions of 680mg (30%; p=0.2197) and 340mg (30.8%; p=0.1311) subjects were proptosis responders (≥2mm reduction) versus placebo (8.3%). Absolute risk reduction (ARR [95% CI]) versus placebo was 21.4 (-11.3, 54.1) for 680mg and 24.2 (-4.8, 53.2) for 340mg at Week 12. Earlier proptosis responses were statistically different from placebo for 680mg at Weeks-four (35.7%; ARR [95% CI] 36.0 [10.9, 61.1]), five (42.9%; 43.0 [17.1, 68.9]), and 11 (41.7%; 34.5 [3.4, 65.6]) and for 340mg at Weeks-five (29.4%; 29.6 [7.9, 51.3]), nine(35.7%; 30.6 [3.0, 58.2]), and 11 (46.2%; 40.2 [10.2, 70.1]) (all p<0.05). Changes in clinical activity at Week-12 were not significantly different from placebo.The proportion of subjects with an adverse event (AE) were similar across treatment groups; most were mild or moderate in severity. Two subjects reported serious AEs not related to treatment (optic neuropathy, autoimmune encephalitis [occurring after treatment period]). No subjects withdrew from the study due to an AE during the 12-week treatment period. There was a reversible dose-dependent reduction in serum albumin during the treatment period. Post-hoc lipid analysis demonstrated a reversible increase in mean serum LDL during treatment (680-mg: 58.7%; 340-mg: 30.8%; 255-mg: 19.0%) vs placebo (-3.9%),.In conclusion, batoclimab reduced circulating IgG and especially the pathogenic anti-TSHR-Ab. Although the proptosis response was not statistically significant at the primary endpoint, significance was seen at earlier time points. This is probably related to early study termination which reduced the numbers of patients available for efficacy assessment at the primary endpoint.

Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Phase 2b Study of Batoclimab in Active and Moderate-to-Severe Thyroid Eye Disease

A 71-year-old male presented to the endocrine clinic for evaluation of hypothyroidism which has recently been difficult for his primary care physician to control.  He initially developed hypothyroidism in 1990 after neck radiation for squamous cell carcinoma of his sternocleidomastoid muscle. He was previously controlled for many years on levothyroxine 150mcg daily with TSH readings in the normal reference range.  Patient was infected with COVID-19 in 2020 and was hospitalized for 10 days. He was treated with 5 days of Remdesivir and 10 days of Decadron. 6 months after the infection he received mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.  Upon his first visit to the endocrine clinic post COVID-19 infection and vaccination, his TSH was elevated at 90 uIU/mL with a free thyroxine that was elevated at 1.8 ng/dL even after multiple attempts by his primary care physician to increase his Levothyroxine which was up to 225 mcg daily before he was referred to endocrinology. He is compliant with his levothyroxine and takes it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning without any of his other medications. He is not taking iron supplements, biotin or any other supplements or new medications. TSH values had been normal 1 month prior to his COVID-19 infection and was first noted to be abnormal 8 months after his COVID-19 infection and 2 months after his mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.  There was no TSH drawn between when he had COVID-19 and when he received his vaccine. It was suspected that he may have a factitious elevation in his TSH due to antibody interference.  Labs were drawn for a TSH with human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) treatment which resulted with a markedly suppressed TSH at 0.007 uIU/mL with an elevated free thyroxine of 1.94 ng/dL.  HAMA antibodies came back elevated at 552 ng/mL.
Reference:
Klee, G., 2000. Human Anti-Mouse Antibodies. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 124(6), pp.921-923.
Koshida, S., Asanuma, K., Kuribayashi, K., Goto, M., Tsuji, N., Kobayashi, D., Tanaka, M. and Watanabe, N., 2010. Prevalence of human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMAs) in routine examinations. Clinica Chimica Acta, 411(5-6), pp.391-394.

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