This survey confirms that TMZ is established as first-line chemotherapeutic treatment of APT/PC. Clinically functioning tumours, low MGMT and concurrent radiotherapy were associated with a better response. The limited long-term effect of TMZ and the poor efficacy of other drugs highlight the need to identify additional effective therapies.

Stimulation with ACTH is useful to improve selectivity of AVS but can frequently modify interpretation of lateralization. Basal ratios are as important as post-ACTH ratios to set an indication of adrenalectomy. AOPP/AP is superior to (A/C)OPP/(A/C)P to assess contralateral suppression. Infrequent CL suppression reveals frequent occurrence of contralateral hyperplasia in lateralized cases and helps predict postoperative outcomes.

Objective: Phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour of the chromaffin cells, the diagnosis of which is based on an assay of metanephrines and treatment is surgical excision of the tumour. It is usually discovered due to a rich and varied symptomatology or classic paroxysmal hypertension. The main purpose of this study was to specify the exact circumstances of discovery of the phaeochromocytomas operated on in our university hospital between 1990 and 2002. Design and methods: Forty-one consecutive and complete case reports of patients who had surgery for phaeochromocytoma were analysed retrospectively. This series includes 10 patients with a genetic disorder predisposing to phaeochromocytoma. Results: The association of headaches and palpitations with sweating was found in only 24% of cases (10/41). Blood pressure anomalies led to the discovery of phaeochromocytoma in only 51% of cases (21/41) and 59% (24/41) of all the patients suffered from hypertension. In almost half the cases (20/41), the tumour was discovered by an imaging method (ultrasonography, CT scan or MRI) which had been performed for reasons unrelated to a blood pressure abnormality. Conclusions: Phaeochromocytoma, the symptoms of which are not very specific and during which hypertension is present in only half the patients, is a disease that remains rare. Its incidence could be increasing because of changes in the method of detection. Indeed, in our study, different imaging techniques led to its incidental discovery in half of the cases.European Journal of Endocrinology 150 681-686

Background and purpose: a-Humulene and trans-caryophyllene are sesquiterpene compounds identified in the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea which display topical and systemic anti-inflammatory effects in different experimental models. However, the molecular mechanisms through which they exert their anti-inflammatory activity still remain unclear. Here, we evaluate the effects of a-humulene and trans-caryophyllene on the acute inflammatory responses elicited by LPS. Experimental approach: The biological activities of a-humulene and trans-caryophyllene were investigated in a model of acute inflammation in rat paw, induced by LPS and characterized by paw oedema, neutrophil recruitment, cytokine production, activation of MAP kinases and NF-kB and up-regulated expression of kinin B 1 receptors. Key results: Treatment with either a-humulene or trans-caryophyllene effectively reduced neutrophil migration and activation of NF-kB induced by LPS in the rat paw. However, only a-humulene significantly reduced the increase in TNF-a and IL-1b levels, paw oedema and the up-regulation of B 1 receptors following treatment with LPS. Both compounds failed to interfere with the activation of the MAP kinases, ERK, p38 and JNK. Conclusions and Implications: Both a-humulene and trans-caryophyllene inhibit the LPS-induced NF-kB activation and neutrophil migration, although only a-humulene had the ability to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-1b and the in vivo up-regulation of kinin B 1 receptors. These data provide additional molecular and functional insights into the beneficial effects of the sesquiterpenes a-humulene and trans-caryophyllene isolated from the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea as agents for the management of inflammatory diseases.