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Puberty expert makes endocrinology an international specialty
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Providing medical care should not be limited by borders, geography or the socioeconomics of a country. Some physicians, including endocrinologists, emphasize this more than others, and that is why the Endocrine Society confers its International Excellence in Endocrinology Award. This year’s winner is Ana Claudia Latronico, MD, PhD, who is a professor of medicine and the head of the endocrinology and metabolism division at the University of Sao Paulo.
During her career, Latronico has become an expert in the association between novel gene mutations and endocrine diseases and spearheaded research about precocious puberty in children, particularly focusing on the genetic causes of the condition. In a conversation with Endocrine Today, she discussed her path to endocrinology, the value of persistence and “L’ozio creativo.”
What was the defining moment that led you to your field?
Latronico: The endocrinology field has always attracted me. It is a medical specialty that provides continuing intellectual stimulation with a perfect combination of clinical and basic science.
I chose endocrinology during my second year of medical school when I attended the human physiology discipline. I was fascinated by the hormonal regulation, especially with the feedback mechanisms involving hormones synthesized from hypothalamus/pituitary and peripheral glands, such as thyroid and gonads. In addition, I was attracted by the comprehensive actions of different hormones, making this medical area relevant with systemic repercussion. The endocrine diseases usually are characterized by excess or deficiency of hormones, with a large spectrum of clinical manifestations, determining the opposite mirror conditions.
During my clinical practice, I realized that working in this area is a great privilege because I would be able to have a long-term relationship with my patients and their families through different stages of life. My career in endocrinology has also personally benefited me in many ways, including allowing me to travel internationally and meet and interact with endocrinologists from different parts of the world. Finally, endocrine investigation is always a big challenge, and the discovery of hormonal abnormalities brings me great satisfaction, allowing me to restore a patient’s normal hormonal balance.
What area of research in endocrinology most interests you right now , and why?
Latronico: My major interests are human pubertal disorders, including distinct forms of precocious puberty and hypogonadism. I started to study these endocrine conditions 30 years ago when I was a PhD fellow of a developmental unit at Sao Paulo University, a medical Brazilian center that is a reference for rare conditions, including growth failure, sexual ambiguity and pubertal disorders.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Latronico: When I was a research fellow at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, in the ’90s, my former mentor, professor George Chrousos, MD, used to say after laboratory presentations of research data the following sentence, “Keep doing!”
In fact, both of us consider persistence one of the most important traits of a successful researcher. You cannot give up on your ideas without hard work and time.
Have you ever been fortunate enough to witness or to have been part of medical history in the making?
Latronico: I was fortunate to be part of a research group that first described the monogenic causes of central precocious puberty in children. This pioneer study demonstrated gene mutations, leading to premature development of secondary sexual features in girls and boys before 8 and 9 years of age, respectively. In addition, we characterized the pattern of inheritance of the familial form of central precocious puberty, a relatively common pediatric condition with high prevalence of undetermined causes, allowing early diagnosis and treatment in affected patients and their relatives.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of practicing medicine?
Latronico: It is essential to have free time and enjoy hobbies to be successful in your professional life. I enjoy cooking for my family, reading nonmedical books and listening to music. I believe in the concept of “L’ozio creativo” that was defined by an Italian sociologist and scientist, Domenico De Masi. In this concept, there is a union between work, study and leisure in such a way that someone can experience the wealth generated by work, the knowledge generated by study and the joy generated by leisure. Indeed, I have found that I get excellent ideas when I am out of my office, especially when I hit a blank wall. When I read nonmedical books, I feel that my mind opens and I have new insights and perspectives for my research and work investigations.