In May, the Endocrine Society launched its latest Special Interest Group (SIG) focused on oncoendocrinology. Even though there is a SIG devoted to endocrine cancers, this new SIG will focus on endocrine and metabolic consequences of non-endocrine cancers and their treatments.
In 2019, the Endocrine Society launched Special Interest Groups (SIGs) with the aim of connecting members with common interests to form collaborations within and outside the SIG.
The Oncoendocrinology SIG was launched in May of this year, and was included in the inaugural all-SIG Reception, held at ENDO 2022. The reception brought together members of the seven current SIGs, which also include Endocrine Cancers, leading some to ask, “What is oncoendoocrinology?”
In contrast to the Endocrine Cancers SIG, which focuses on tumors of endocrine origin (e.g., adrenocortical carcinoma, thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and pheochromocytomas), oncoendocrinology primarily involves understanding and managing the endocrine and metabolic consequences of mostly non-endocrine cancers, and their treatments. Similar subspecialties have developed in cardiology (cardio-oncology), and nephrology (onconephrology) to address similar needs in their fields.
Oncology care has dramatically changed over the past 30 years with prolonged survival from many childhood and adult cancers. Depending on the cancer type, systemic medical treatment strategies may involve chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, targeted therapies, or immune therapies. Each of these treatment types potentially leads to acute and chronic endocrine and metabolic issues that can contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.
“In contrast to the Endocrine Cancers SIG, which focuses on tumors of endocrine origin, oncoendocrinology primarily involves understanding and managing the endocrine and metabolic consequences of mostly non-endocrine cancers, and their treatments.”
The goal of the Oncoendocrinology SIG steering committee (currently chaired by Afreen Shariff, MD, and Ole-Petter Hamnvik, MB BCh BAO MMSc) is to bring together diverse members of the Endocrine Society at all levels of training to advance clinical care and research in this emerging field of endocrinology. The SIG provides a platform for knowledge exchange, and networking for those who share an interest in the area.
Over the next year, along with the chairs, the other Oncoendocrinology SIG Steering Committee members (Melody Cheung, MBBS, FRCP, and myself) will host clinical and basic science webinars that will address broad concepts, and granular issues related to Oncoendocrinology. Topics for the first year will include:
- An overview of oncoendocrinology;
- Establishing an oncoendocrinology clinical practice; and
- The mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of small molecule kinase inhibitors; and managing glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia.
A priority of the Steering Committee will be to solicit input from all SIG members regarding their thoughts on important subjects and speakers for future webinars.
We will also host podcasts to discuss current topics, and aim to work with the SIG members to publish updates in the field, as well as educational cases in the Endocrine Society journals. The SIG members, along with all members of the Endocrine Society, also have the opportunity to engage in discussions on novel research findings, challenging cases, or establishing a research group or clinical practice in the field through the DocMatter community platform. Endocrine Society members are also welcome to use DocMatter to make suggestions for future projects of the SIG.
“The Oncoendocrinology SIG welcomes engagement from all Endocrine Society members at every training level who are interested in developing this community, its activities, and advancing this rising subspecialty through high quality research and clinical care.”
The Oncoendocrinology SIG welcomes engagement from all Endocrine Society members at every training level who are interested in developing this community, its activities, and advancing this rising subspecialty through high quality research and clinical care.
Endocrine Society members can join the SIG on the Society website.
Gallagher is an assistant professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, N.Y.
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