16 May 2026
Additive effect of RET polymorphisms in MEN2A-associated hyperparathyroidism
This study looks at people with a rare inherited condition called MEN2A. This condition can cause several health problems, including thyroid cancer, adrenal gland tumours, and overactive parathyroid glands (called hyperparathyroidism, or HPT).
Not everyone with MEN2A develops HPT, and doctors want to understand why.
What did the study look at?
Researchers studied over 150 people with MEN2A to see whether small genetic differences (called polymorphisms) in a gene called RET affect the risk of developing HPT.What they found:
- About 1 in 6 people with MEN2A in this study developed HPT.
- Having one polymorphism on its own did not increase risk.
- However, people with two or more polymorphisms had a higher risk, and they tended to develop HPT at a younger age.
- Women in this group were also more likely to develop HPT than men.
What this means:
The study suggests that it is not just one polymorphism, but a combination of changes that may increase a person’s risk of developing HPT earlier in life.
This information could help doctors:
- Identify people at higher risk
- Offer closer monitoring
- Detect problems earlier, when they are easier to treat
In summary:
For people with MEN2A, having several small genetic changes (polymorphisms) together may increase the chance of developing overactive parathyroid glands, and at a younger age. Better understanding of these risks may help improve care and follow-up in the future.Figueiredo-Feitosa, N. L. d., Magalhães, P. K. R., Ceolin, L., Maia, A. L., & Maciel, L. M. Z. (2025). Additive effect of RET polymorphisms in MEN2A-associated hyperparathyroidism. Endocrine Connections, 14(9), Article e250390, e250390. Retrieved May 13, 2026
You can read the full article for free here: https://doi.org/10.1530/EC-25-0390
Summary written with the help of Copilot AI
.