Back to Authors

Rao, Sarika

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2141-1696

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic in Florida

Citations 17

Assessment of survival and role of chemotherapy in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma: Insights from SEER Database (2000–2021).
Correia, Guilherme Sacchi de Camargo, Wolf, Emily, Tawfiq, Reema, Li, Shenduo , Lou, Yanyan , Zhao, Yujie , Kuhlman, Justin J. , Rao, Sarika , Manochakian, Rami

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e16610 Get It

e16610 Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with an incidence of 1-2 per million per year. The optimal treatment remains unclear as does the benefit of chemotherapy (chemo) in patients (pts) with resectable ACC. Methods: The SEER database (2000–2021) was used to identify ACC pts > 18 years. Variables of interest included age, race, household income, rural-urban classification, stage, chemo, radiation therapy (RT), and surgery. Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Kaplan-Meier methods to compare survival outcomes according to variables of interest. Results: Of the 2,598 pts identified, 1,564 (60%) were female. The majority of pts (85%) were white, followed by black (9%). Most pts (87%) resided in metropolitan areas. Pts with localized, regional, or distant metastatic disease comprised 25%, 17% and 36% of the group, respectively. 40% of pts underwent radical or total surgical removal of the primary site disease while 9%, 2%, and 1% underwent partial surgical removal, excision, or debulking surgery, respectively, and 30% did not undergo surgery. 34% of pts received chemo and 8% received RT. The median overall survival (mOS) for the entire cohort was 15 months (m) (95% CI: 14–17 m). No significant differences in OS were observed among pts of different races or household incomes. Distant metastatic disease was significantly associated with worse mortality when compared with regional or localized diseases (mOS: 5 m vs. 20 m vs 60.6 m, respectively, p < 0.001). Surgical intervention of any kind was associated with longer survival when compared to those who did not undergo surgery (18 m vs. 3 m, HR 0.33, p < 0.0001). Among the 971 pts with distant metastatic disease, pts who received chemo had a superior mOS compared to those who did not receive chemo or with unknown chemo status (8 m vs. 2 m, p < 0.0001). This OS advantage remained significant even after excluding pts who underwent surgery (5 m vs. 2 m, p < 0.0001). While chemo was also associated with longer mOS (29 m vs. 27 m, p < 0.0001) in localized disease, this survival advantage was not present in pts with localized disease managed with surgery (27 m vs. 27 m, p = 0.061). Although chemo was associated with numerically longer mOS in pts with regional disease, the difference was not significant. Conclusions: ACC with distant metastatic disease carries a poor prognosis yet demonstrates superior survival in pts who receive chemo. Surgery is associated with better survival outcomes, but there is no additive benefit from chemo in those with localized disease managed with surgical resection.
7410 Bevacizumab Induced Hypothyroidism
McKenna, Amanda L. , Thota-Kammili, Sanjana , Grennan, Krista, Rao, Sarika

Journal of the Endocrine Society | October 5, 2024 | Volume: 8 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1210/jendso/bvae163.1902 Get It

Abstract Disclosure: A.L. McKenna: None. S. Thota-Kammili: None. K. Grennan: None. S. Rao: None. It is known that thyroid dysfunction is an adverse effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) via inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). The VEGF signaling pathway is important in regulating angiogenesis in tumors and normal tissue. As a highly vascularized gland, it is expected the thyroid may be compromised because of VEGFR inhibitors. Proposed mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction include capillary regression and constriction leading to reduced vascular perfusion to the gland. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF and inhibits activation of VEGFR, reducing angiogenesis; interestingly, this is not commonly reported in the literature. Here we present a case where bevacizumab altered thyroid function in a patient with pre-existing primary hypothyroidism. A 60-year-old woman presented with worsening hypothyroidism. She reported a history of nonautoimmune primary hypothyroidism diagnosed in her early 20s; she still had an intact thyroid with no history of head/neck radiation. In the months leading to the presentation, she had been receiving maintenance chemotherapy with 5 fluorouracil and bevacizumab every 2 weeks for metastatic duodenal carcinoma. Prior to starting chemotherapy, she had been on a steady dose of 112 mcg of levothyroxine (LT4) daily. After 6 months on chemotherapy, she reported symptoms of fatigue and hair loss. Workup revealed an elevated TSH of 41 mIU/L (reference 0.3-4.2 mIU/L). She denied any significant changes in weight or malabsorption issues. Aside from the chemotherapy, no other new medications were introduced. Her LT4 dose was increased to 137 mcg daily, and 3 months later, there was improvement in TSH to 6.5 mIU/L as well as her symptoms. At this point, bevacizumab was briefly on hold for 2 months due to an upcoming procedure, hence there was no change to LT4 to avoid over correction. Her TSH normalized and was trending lower while bevacizumab was on hold. Once bevacizumab resumed, LT4 was preemptively increased to 150 mcg daily. Four months after resuming bevacizumab, her TSH remains within the normal reference range on 150 mcg LT4. It is hypothesized that this VEGF blocker led to worsening of her underlying hypothyroidism.Given the shared down regulation in the VEGF signaling pathway, it would be expected that TKIs and monoclonal antibodies against VEGF would share similar adverse reactions to the thyroid. However, to our knowledge, there have been limited reports of bevacizumab induced thyroid dysfunction in the literature. Explanations to this may include the more targeted VEGF inhibition with bevacizumab versus the inhibition of multiple kinase receptors from the TKIs. Further research into this will be needed. This case demonstrates that bevacizumab can impact thyroid function and thyroid labs may need to be monitored at the onset and during VEGF inhibitor therapies. Presentation: 6/3/2024
12498 Outcomes In Thyroid Cancer Patients Having Undergone Us-guided (usg) Fine Needle Aspiration Sampling Of Cervical Lymph Nodes And Soft Tissue Nodules
Castellanos, Paula, Chindriş, Ana Maria, Janus, Jeffrey R. , Paz‐Fumagalli, Ricardo , Bernet, Victor , Rao, Sarika

Journal of the Endocrine Society | October 5, 2024 | Volume: 8 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1210/jendso/bvae163.2023 Get It

Abstract Disclosure: P.L. castellanos: None. A.M. Chindris: None. S. Rao: None. J. Janus: None. R. Paz-Fumagalli: None. V.J. Bernet: None. Introduction: Limited information exists regarding the relationship between outcomes and decision-making based on results from Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (USG-FNA) of cervical nodes/nodules suspicious for thyroid cancer metastases. Management options for positive findings include surgery, percutaneous ethanol ablation, radioactive iodine therapy, external beam radiation systemic therapy, or observation. This retrospective review is aimed at describing the management and associated outcomes of a cohort of thyroid cancer patients who underwent USG FNA for cervically metastases. Methods: Following our Clinic IRB review and approval, we performed a chart review and identified 163 patients with thyroid cancer patients who had undergone USG FNA of apparent cervical metastases at the Florida campus between 2012 and 2018. Cytology results and corresponding tumor marker washout from each sampled focus were recorded. The records review included recording anatomical and biochemical outcomes related to management decisions based on USG FNA results. Appropriate statistical plots were used to help visualize the data pattern. ResultsThe median age was 59 years 69.9% were female and 91.3% were Caucasian. Initial presentation typically consisted of the appearance of a neck nodule and thyroidectomy was the first line of therapy in 155 of 163 cases. Imaging post-thyroidectomy demonstrated evidence of cervical lymphadenopathy in 75.5% of cases with localization in the lateral neck in 65.2% and central in 19.2% respectively. Regarding USG-FNA outcomes, 46.2% yielded malignancy while 26% were benign. The most prevalent cytology was papillary thyroid cancer detected in 87.1%.Thyroglobulin washout was performed on all patients with a history of papillary variant thyroid carcinoma, with positive results reported in 8.3%. Ethanol ablation was the most used treatment for lymph node recurrence followed by neck surgery in 56.2%. During the follow-up, 14% of the patients who were TGAB+ remained so.Outcome trends were as follows: The combined anatomical and biochemical negative was 82.3%, while the combined anatomical and biochemical positive was 2.5%. The combined anatomical negative and biochemical positive was 7.6%, alongside the combined anatomical positive and biochemical negative was 7.6%. Conclusion: Of 163 thyroid cancer cases with cervical lymphadenopathy, 46% had cytology-proven presence of malignancy. These patients underwent either observation, PEA, or surgery.At follow up the majority of the patients were without anatomical and biochemical evidence of disease while about 7-8% were positive by one of the parameters and much fewer were positive for disease by both parameters. Presentation: 6/3/2024
Disease monitoring using plasma-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays in rare malignancies.
Li, Shenduo , Connor, Dana, Fournier, Lyndsey Lane , Lou, Yanyan , Zhao, Yujie , Rao, Sarika , Manochakian, Rami

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 4, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: e15046-e15046

10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.e15046 Get It

e15046 Background: ctDNA assays can be used to assess molecular residual disease, and the value of ctDNA monitoring in disease surveillance and treatment response assessment has been demonstrated in colon, breast, lung, and bladder cancers. However, the data of ctDNA in rare cancers has been lacking. We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the potential roles of ctDNA monitoring in rare tumors in both surveillance and response evaluation. Methods: ctDNA assay results of 12 patients (pts) with rare cancers including adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) (4 pts), salivary gland cancers (3 pts), pleural or peritoneal malignant mesothelioma (4 pts), and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) (1pt) undergoing treatment or surveillance in 2023 at Mayo Clinic Florida were analyzed. The trends of ctDNA levels were correlated with radiographic images findings. Results: Among the 12 patients, ctDNA was detected in at least one time point in 9 (75%) pts, including 1 (100%) ATC pt, 2 (66%) salivary gland pts, 3 (75%) malignant mesothelioma pts, and 3 (75%) ACC pts. Among these 9 pts, 5 pts had ctDNA collected at more than one timepoints, and the trends of ctDNA levels were consistent with image findings in all 5 pts. Among these 5 pts, one pt received definitive surgery for ACC with clearance of ctDNA after the surgery and one salivary gland cancer pt was undergoing surveillance and later developed disease progression. The other 3 pts were undergoing palliative systemic therapy and had responded to treatments. Conclusions: ctDNA was detectable in majority of the patients with rare malignancies reviewed in this study, including ACC, ATC, pleural or peritoneal malignant mesothelioma, and salivary gland cancers. Further study is warranted to investigate the role of ctDNA monitoring in surveillance and treatment response evaluation in rare malignancies.
A case of celiac plexus block causing iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome
Chindris, Ana‐Maria , Chirilă, Răzvan M. , Rao, Sarika N , Dumitrascu, Adrian G, Chindris, Ana-Maria , Rao, Sarika , Dumitrascu, Adrian

Clinical Case Reports | April 15, 2024 | Volume: 12 | Issue: 4 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/ccr3.8777 Get It

Key Clinical Message Treatment with corticosteroids can lead to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome when used for longer intervals and in high doses. Less common administration routes may conceal the exposure, raising the possibility of misdiagnosis and mismanagement.
Impact of Body Mass Index ≥35 kg/m 2 on Minimally Invasive Adrenalectomy
Knewitz, Daniel , Evans, Lorna A. , Cornejo, Jorge , Fullerton, Shalyn , Chadha, Ryan N., Elli, Enrique F. , Knewitz, Daniel K , Castillo-Larios, Rocio, Evans, Lorna A , Fullerton, Shalyn M, Rao, Sarika N , Cornejo, Jorge , Castillo‐Larios, Rocio , Rao, Sarika , Chadha, Ryan

Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques | February 1, 2024 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 359-364

10.1089/lap.2023.0479 Get It

Retrospective analysis of the multikinase inhibitor (MKI) pazopanib in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in the beyond-first-line setting.
Inampudi, Jyothik Varun, Mahadevia, Himil , Stone, Alexandra, Toby, Alana, Koshiya, Hiren, Patel, Jaydeepbhai, Pandav, Vivek, Li, Shenduo , Chindris, Ana-Maria , Lou, Yanyan , Zhao, Yujie , Stone, Alexandra, Rao, Sarika , Manochakian, Rami

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 4, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: e18097-e18097

10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.e18097 Get It

e18097 Background: Sorafenib and lenvatinib are FDA-approved MKIs for locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, DTC refractory to radioactive iodine treatment. Cabozantinib showed a survival benefit in radioiodine-refractory DTC previously treated with sorafenib and/or lenvatinib and was granted FDA approval. Our study aims to investigate the benefit of other MKIs in DTC beyond the first-line setting. Methods: DTC patients (pts) treated with multiple lines of MKIs from August 2018 to July 2022 at Mayo Clinic across all sites were identified. Electronic medical records were reviewed. 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated for all lines of therapy using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results: Among the 9 pts identified, 4 were male. The median age was 65 years (43-75). Most pts (60%) had papillary thyroid cancer. All pts received lenvatinib as first line treatment. The 6, 12 and 18-month PFS were 89%, 89%, and 55% respectively. 6 pts discontinued lenvatinib due to progression of disease (PD). 3 pts discontinued it due to adverse effects (AEs), which included hemoptysis (1 pt), severe rash (1 pt) and multiple psychiatric manifestations (1 pt). 8 pts received pazopanib, and 1 patient received cabozantinib with ipilimumab (1 dose) and nivolumab (6 months - discontinued due to myocarditis) as second-line therapy. Among them, 1 patient received pembrolizumab plus everolimus for 2 months before receiving pazopanib. The 6, 12 and 18-month PFS were 55%, 22%, and 11% respectively. All pts ceased treatment due to eventual PD, and there were no toxicity-related discontinuations. 5 pts subsequently received third-line MKIs, including cabozantinib (3 pts), pazopanib (1 pt), and lenvatinib (1 pt). The pt who received lenvatinib had discontinued it as first line therapy due to toxicity. The 2 pts treated with third-line cabozantinib and the pt rechallenged with lenvatinib showed no PD at 12-months and no toxicity related discontinuation. Conclusions: Pazopanib was associated with durable PFS and good tolerability when offered after PD or intolerance on lenvatinib in this retrospective analysis, warranting a randomized prospective study. [Table: see text]
Incidence of other multiple primary malignancies in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.
Koshiya, Hiren, Pandav, Vivek, Inampudi, Jyothik Varun, Patel, Jaydeepbhai, Lou, Yanyan , Zhao, Yujie , Mosalem, Osama , Manochakian, Rami , Rao, Sarika

Journal of Clinical Oncology | June 4, 2023 | Volume: 41 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: e16621-e16621

10.1200/jco.2023.41.16_suppl.e16621 Get It

e16621 Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an exceedingly rare aggressive endocrine malignancy with about 1 new case per million people diagnosed annually in the US. Higher incidence of ACC has been reported in patients (pts) with inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. However, the incidence rate of developing multiple primary cancers in this population is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of additional malignancies in ACC patients. Methods: Using the Mayo Clinic Cancer Registry, we identified 63 pts who were treated for ACC from 2010- 2018 with updated follow up data until 01/31/2023. Electronic medical records were reviewed. Results: Among the patient cohort, 22 pts were male. 18/63 (29%) pts were found to have at least one additional malignancy, including basal cell carcinoma (3/18, 17%), melanoma (3/18, 17%), thyroid cancer (3/18, 17%), prostate cancer (3/18, 17%), squamous cell carcinoma of skin (2/18, 11%), renal cell carcinoma (2/18, 11%), breast cancer (2/18, 11%), leukemia (2/18, 11%), lung cancer (1/18, 6%), transitional cell malignant neoplasm of kidney (1/18, 6%), squamous cell carcinoma of tonsil (1/18, 6%), ovarian cancer (1/18, 6%), seminoma (1/18, 6%) and bladder cancer (1/18, 6%). 8/18 (45%) pts had more than one (2-3) non-ACC malignancies. The median age at diagnosis of ACC was 56 years (02-83). The median age at diagnosis of non-ACC malignancies was 54 years (25-72). Most of the patients (13/18) were diagnosed with non-ACC malignancy within 5 years of diagnosis of ACC. Most pts (13/18, 72%) were diagnosed with non-ACC malignancy first. Germline mutation information was not available except for 2 pts with known family history (FH) of Lynch syndrome and 2 pt with a known FH of Li-Fraumeni syndrome. FH was available in 38 pts, out of which 29 pts had FH of cancer identified in first-degree relatives. Among the 18 pts with additional malignancies, 12 pts had FH of cancer in first-degree relatives. All except 2 pts underwent curative treatment for their non-ACC malignancies, and 14 pts had no evidence of disease at death or the time of last follow-up. Conclusions: The rate of other multiple primary malignancies in pts with ACC is high, indicating possible genetic predisposition associated with this disease; Early genetic consultation and evaluation for known and novel germline mutations may need to be considered for these pts to improve long-term outcomes.
Eleven-Year Experience with Selective Adrenal Vein Sampling in Management of Primary Adrenal Hormonal Hypersecretion
Asbun, Domenech , Cheng, Yilon Lima , Bush, Weston, Samson, Susan L. , Meek, Shon , Paz‐Fumagalli, Ricardo , Lewis, Andrew R. , Gabriel, Emmanuel , Asbun, Horacio J. , Elli, Enrique F. , Lewis, Andrew , Asbun, Horacio, Rao, Sarika N , Gabriel, Emmanuel M , Rao, Sarika

Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques | November 1, 2022 | Volume: 33 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 129-136

10.1089/lap.2022.0302 Get It

Introduction: Nearly half of the adult population in the United States has been diagnosed with hypertension. Adrenal hormonal hypersecretion is a leading cause of secondary hypertension. Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) may assist in differentiating between unilateral and bilateral adrenal hormonal hypersecretion to identify patients who are candidates for adrenalectomy. We reviewed the use of AVS at our institution along with associated outcomes after adrenalectomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with a diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) or adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent Cushing syndrome (AICS) and who underwent adrenalectomy between January 1, 2010, and December 1, 2021. Patient data of baseline characteristics, preoperative workup, including AVS, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: Seventy-one patients were identified in the study period (48 PA and 23 AICS). Computed tomography scan identified unilateral adrenal nodules in 52 patients (29 left; and 23 right), bilateral nodules in 13 patients, and no nodules in 6 patients. AVS was performed in 45 patients with PA (93%) and 5 patients with AICS (21%). After surgery, the number of PA patients with hypokalemia or requiring potassium supplementation significantly decreased after adrenalectomy (before surgery: 33 [68.7%]; and after surgery: 5 [10.4%], P < .01). The number of medications required for hypertension in AICS patients also significantly decreased. No major adverse events were noted. Conclusions : Our long-term experience demonstrates the ongoing use of AVS during workup of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism and for select patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent Cushing syndrome. However, a low level of discordance between imaging and AVS findings in PA patients suggests that there may be a subset of patients in whom preoperative AVS is not necessary.
Lenvatinib as a Therapeutic Option in Unresectable Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paragangliomas
Nelson, Lauren Hassan, Yin, Jun , Asmus, Erik, Ryder, Mabel , Morris, John C. , Hilger, Crystal, Bible, Keith C. , Rao, Sarika , Hassan Nelson, Lauren, Fuentes-Bayne, Harry, Yin, Jun , Hilger, Crystal R, Rao, Sarika N , Ryder, Mabel , Nelson, Lauren Juliette Hassan, Fuentes, Harry E , Morris, John C, Chintakuntlawar, Ashish V.

Journal of the Endocrine Society | March 25, 2022 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 5 | Pages: No page available

10.1210/jendso/bvac044 Get It

Abstract Context Metastatic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (mPPGL) are rare vascular neuroendocrine tumors that highly express vascular growth factors. Systemic treatment options in cases of unresectable multisite disease are limited. Multikinase inhibitors that inhibit angiogenesis, such as lenvatinib, have proven effective in several other malignancies, and may be a viable option for mPPGL. Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lenvatinib as salvage therapy in mPPGLs. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of mPPGL patients ≥ 18 years of age who received lenvatinib from 2015 to 2020 at a tertiary referral center. Patients were started on lenvatinib 20 mg daily and dose was adjusted according to tolerance or disease progression. Results Eleven patients were included. Median treatment duration was 14.7 months (95% CI, 2.3-NE). Treatment was discontinued due to disease progression, adverse events, or death. Overall survival at 12 months was 80.8% (95% CI, 42.3-94.9%) but its median was not reached. Median progression-free survival was 14.7 months (95% CI, 1.7-NE). Among the 8 patients with measurable disease, overall response rate was 63%, as 5/8 experienced a partial response and 3/8 had stable disease. Worsening hypertension and anemia were the most common adverse events. Conclusion Lenvatinib may be a viable treatment option for mPPGL, although at the potential risk of worsening hypertension. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to better characterize treatment efficacy.