Why do we need another journal within the area of endocrinology and metabolism? Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism provides extensive coverage of state-of-the-art research and clinical advancements in the field of endocrine control and metabolism, with a focus on screening, prevention, diagnostics, existing and novel therapeutics, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology and epidemiology. It targets a wide range of healthcare professionals, and its innovative and user-friendly online format, covering a rapid, progressive field in medicine, with extensive reviews elaborated by authors with proven experience, gives easy access to the latest information in research and clinics.
In this first issue of Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism, you will find, besides an Editorial by Eberhard Fuchs and Jonathan Seckl on ‘Glucocorticoid hormone programming in early life and its impact on adult health’, and coverage of the 7th Annual Meeting of the Egyptian Society of Pancreatic Islet Transplantation Research for Diabetic Patients by Moghazy Maghoub, reviews of topics including antibody-mediated hyperthyroidism, male hormonal contraception and the metabolic syndrome.
Ramzi Ajjan and Anthony Weetman introduce new insights into antibody-mediated hyperthyroidism. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, and this review helps to shed more light on disease pathogenesis and offers new treatment strategies in difficult cases, particularly in patients with extrathyroidal complications of the disease.
Ernesto Carnalis and Elizabetta Gazzerro also reviewed the skeletal actions of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGFs promote longitudinal growth of bone and have anabolic effects in adult bone by acting through endocrine and autocrine/paracrine mechanisms. IGF-I seems to be essential for physiological skeletal growth and bone remodeling.
This issue also includes a review discussing the receptor in breast cancer resistance. It is noted that the IGF-I receptor signals resistance, not only to anti-hormones, but also to anti-growth factor strategies, such as agents that target the estrogenic receptor-binding (erb) family of receptors. This review by Robert Nicholson and colleagues focuses on the ability of IGF-I receptors to contribute to resistance mechanisms, which support breast cancer cell growth in the presence of anti-hormones and anti-growth factors. It also discusses methods to maximize antitumor effects by combination regimens cotargeting the IGF-I receptor, which may delay, or even prevent, the progression to the resistant phenotype.
The area of bone metabolism is covered by Mark Cooper, who provides an update on the effects of systemic glucocorticoid therapy on bone metabolism. Glucocorticoids have an impact on both bone formation and bone resorption; a combination that leads to rapid bone loss and an increase in fracture risk. Epidemiological studies indicate that these risks are substantial, especially in the spine. The best available treatments to date have been the bisphosphonates, which preserve bone density and reduce the risk of fracture at the spine.
Thomas McKenna and colleagues cover the diagnosis, misdiagnosis and management of hyperprolactinemia, while Alexander Kaufmann and Emillie Rismann, discuss gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-II. Misdiagnosis of hyperprolactinemia is often due to immunoassay interference by a biologically inactive form of prolactin termed macroprolactin. The condition is commonly associated with the presence of circulating antiprolactin antibodies. A second form of GnRH recently identified is GnRH II. GnRH II acts as a permissive regulator of female reproductive behavior based on energy status, as well as an inhibitor of short-term food intake. GnRH II also regulates the density and/or activity of calcium and potassium channels in the nervous system.
Male hormonal contraception has been an area of controversy over the years and the safety of using testosterone as a contraceptive is discussed by Richard Anderson and Melanie Walton. This exciting review covers male hormonal contraceptive agents, cardiovascular effects of testosterone and effects of testosterone on muscle.
The first issue of Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism also includes an insightful drug profile by Johann Ringe. The value of zoledronic acid in Paget’s disease is reported as data from two Phase III clinical trials demonstrating the value of this drug in this disease.
Drug Profiles provide an overview of agents individually as they are approved and become available on the market. These articles review efficacy, safety/adverse effects, pharmacoeconomic data and market data with risk–benefit analysis.
I started with the question, ‘Why do we need another journal in the field of endocrinology and metabolism?’ In my opinion we are now in the era of enhanced electronic communication and the research community is making the exchange of information amongst healthcare professionals faster and better. The aforementioned contents support the scientific relevance of Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism, thus, we have a new tool to update our knowledge and open our minds to the future.