The initial hypothesis was that the patient had a functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, specifically an insulinoma, due to the presentation of symptomatic hypoglycemia. Insulinomas are the most common functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and typically cause fasting hypoglycemia [1]. This diagnosis is usually supported by elevated insulin and C-peptide levels during episodes of hypoglycemia, as insulinomas lead to inappropriate insulin secretion. Early diagnostic workup included measuring insulin and C-peptide levels during hypoglycemia, expecting elevated values if insulinoma was present. However, the blood tests revealed normal insulin and C-peptide levels, making insulinoma less likely [2]. This aligns with literature stating that around 90% of insulinomas present with clear biochemical evidence of hyperinsulinemia, thus ruling out this diagnosis based on the normal insulin profile in this case [3].
Following the exclusion of insulinoma, the next hypothesis considered was the presence of a non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors do not secrete hormones and often remain asymptomatic until they grow large enough to be detected on imaging or cause compressive symptoms [4]. Despite the patient’s hypoglycemic symptoms, which are atypical for non-functional tumors, imaging revealed a pancreatic mass, raising the suspicion of a non-functional tumor. This hypothesis is supported by previous cases in which non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors have exhibited paraneoplastic or paracrine effects, potentially leading to systemic metabolic disturbances without direct hormone secretion [5]. The rarity of such presentations, however, required further genetic and molecular investigation.
Given the presence of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, the possibility of an underlying genetic syndrome such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1) was considered. MEN1 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of tumors in endocrine glands, particularly the parathyroid glands, pancreatic islet cells, and the anterior pituitary gland [6]. The clinical suspicion for MEN1 was suggested due to the detection of a pancreatic mass.
We have also hypothesized that given the patient’s symptomatic hypoglycemia without the typical biochemical markers of hyperinsulinemia, it was hypothesized that the novel p.Ser237Phe mutation might have disrupted glucose-sensing pathways within the pancreatic islet cells, leading to dysregulated glucose metabolism independent of insulin overproduction. Unlike functional tumors that secrete hormones in excess, this tumor may have altered glucose transport or insulin receptor signaling, thereby indirectly impacting glucose regulation. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that certain MEN1 mutations have been shown to affect cellular metabolism and insulin sensitivity, without necessarily causing excessive hormone secretion. In this case, the mutation may have triggered changes in the metabolic activity of the tumor, resulting in the consumption of glucose or altered feedback mechanisms, which would explain the patient’s hypoglycemia without a corresponding rise in insulin levels. Further molecular studies are needed to explore how the p.Ser237Phe mutation might affect cellular metabolism, glucose uptake, or paracrine signaling pathways within the pancreatic islet microenvironment.
Sequence alignment confirmed that this mutation differed from previously described MEN1 mutations, such as p.Tyr313Ter and p.Arg415Ter, and may represent a novel mechanism by which non-functional tumors influence systemic glucose homeostasis.MEN1 mutations have been identified in 70–95% of patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1, and the clinical manifestations of these mutations are highly variable depending on the type and location of the mutation within the gene [7]. Menin is a tumor suppressor protein that interacts with a range of transcription factors and chromatin-modifying proteins, which are essential for the regulation of cell proliferation and DNA repair mechanisms [8]. Menin’s interaction with these factors, such as JunD, Smad3, and members of the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) complex, suggests a critical role in controlling cell division and maintaining endocrine homeostasis [9]. Loss of menin function, therefore, predisposes individuals to tumor formation across multiple endocrine tissues, including the parathyroid glands (80–95% prevalence in MEN1 patients), the pancreas (40–70%), and the anterior pituitary (30–60%) [10].
Mutations in the MEN1 gene are spread across the gene, with no mutational hotspots, although certain exons and domains seem more prone to mutation in specific populations [6]. For example, mutations affecting exons encoding the NLS domain and THD/MI domain of menin often lead to more aggressive tumor phenotypes [6]. Studies show that frameshift and nonsense mutations (accounting for approximately 30–40% of all MEN1 mutations) lead to premature truncation of menin, completely disrupting its tumor-suppressive functions [7]. However, missense mutations (approximately 20–30%) may result in partial loss of function, which can result in a wider variability of tumor phenotypes [8]. In this case, the novel mutation identified in exon 5 (p.Ser237Phe) may be one such example, where menin function is not entirely lost, but altered in such a way that it influences tumor behavior differently [9].
Literature indicates that pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are found in 40–70% of MEN1 patients, with the majority being non-functional tumors, especially as they become larger [5]. Functional pNETs, particularly insulinomas and gastrinomas, are more frequently associated with mutations in exons encoding the JunD and Smad3 binding regions of menin, leading to excessive hormone secretion [6]. However, non-functional pNETs represent up to 40–60% of all pNETs in MEN1 patients and are often larger and more aggressive at diagnosis, with fewer apparent symptoms until they reach a significant size [1]. The development of non-functional pNETs in MEN1 patients, despite the presence of systemic symptoms such as hypoglycemia, is less well-understood [2,7]. Hypotheses include paracrine signaling or the influence of surrounding tissues, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear [3,8].
The pathogenicity of specific MEN1 mutations varies widely, with some mutations more frequently associated with specific tumor types [4,9]. For instance, the p.Tyr313Ter mutation, commonly found in exon 3, is frequently associated with insulinomas and has been identified in approximately 8–10% of MEN1 patients [5,10]. Similarly, mutations in exon 9, such as p.Arg415Ter, are strongly associated with gastrinomas and other functional pNETs [10]. The novel mutation identified in exon 5 (p.Ser237Phe) differs from these commonly reported mutations, and its impact on tumor behavior remains speculative [10]. However, based on the known functions of menin and its involvement in chromatin remodeling, it is hypothesized that this mutation may disrupt menin’s interaction with transcription factors, altering gene expression in a way that contributes to tumor development without leading to the secretion of hormones [10].
A review of the literature on atypical MEN1 presentations revealed that non-functional pNETs in MEN1 patients may still exert systemic effects, even without hormone overproduction [3]. These cases are often challenging to diagnose, as they do not present with the typical biochemical markers of hormone-secreting tumors [4]. Approximately 20–30% of non-functional pNETs in MEN1 patients may present with systemic symptoms such as hypoglycemia or weight loss, which are attributed to metabolic disruption rather than direct hormone secretion [5]. The novel mutation found in this case may represent an even rarer phenomenon, where the tumor remains non-secreting but influences glucose regulation through indirect or paracrine mechanisms, potentially via insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) or other pathways involved in glucose metabolism [6].
In conclusion, this case reveals the discovery of MEN1 (p.Ser237Phe) mutation effect and its relation to pNETs, and its link to a non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with metabolic effects. The atypical presentation shows the importance of genetic evaluation in MEN1. Further research is needed to understand this mutation's impact on tumor behavior and management.