MedGen

Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndromes are characterized by paragangliomas (tumors that arise from neuroendocrine tissues distributed along the paravertebral axis from the base of the skull to the pelvis) and pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas that are confined to the adrenal medulla). Sympathetic paragangliomas cause catecholamine excess; parasympathetic paragangliomas are most often nonsecretory. Extra-adrenal parasympathetic paragangliomas are located predominantly in the skull base and neck (referred to as head and neck PGL [HNPGL]) and sometimes in the upper mediastinum; approximately 95% of such tumors are nonsecretory. In contrast, sympathetic extra-adrenal paragangliomas are generally confined to the lower mediastinum, abdomen, and pelvis, and are typically secretory. Pheochromocytomas, which arise from the adrenal medulla, typically lead to catecholamine excess. Symptoms of PGL/PCC result from either mass effects or catecholamine hypersecretion (e.g., sustained or paroxysmal elevations in blood pressure, headache, episodic profuse sweating, forceful palpitations, pallor, and apprehension or anxiety). The risk for developing metastatic disease is greater for extra-adrenal sympathetic paragangliomas than for pheochromocytomas. [from GeneReviews]

Esomeprazole (brand name Nexium) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID use. Esomeprazole is also used in the treatment of hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and in combination with antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Esomeprazole reduces the acidity (raises the pH) in the stomach by inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid. The level of esomeprazole an individual is exposed to is influenced by several factors, such as the dose used and how quickly the drug is metabolized and inactivated. Esomeprazole is primarily metabolized by the CYP2C19 enzyme. Individuals with increased CYP2C19 enzyme activity (“CYP2C19 ultrarapid metabolizers”) may have an insufficient response to standard doses of esomeprazole, because the drug is inactivated at a faster rate. In contrast, individuals who have reduced or absent CYP2C19 enzyme activity (i.e., CYP2C19 intermediate and poor metabolizers) have a greater exposure to esomeprazole. The 2018 FDA-approved drug label for esomeprazole states that 3% of Caucasians, and 15–20% of Asians are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers, and that poor metabolizers have approximately twice the level of exposure to esomeprazole, compared with CYP2C19 normal metabolizers. However, the drug label does not include dosing recommendations for CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. Esomeprazole recommendations have been published by the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) of the Royal Dutch Association for the Advancement of Pharmacy (KNMP), which indicates that no change in dosing is recommended for CYP2C19 poor, intermediate, or ultrarapid metabolizers. The DPWG states that although genetic variation in CYP2C19 influences the plasma concentration of esomeprazole, there is insufficient evidence to support an effect on treatment outcomes or side effects. [from Medical Genetics Summaries]