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Messaoudi N, Assarrar I, Rouf S, Sefiani S, Latrech H. Non-functioning pituitary carcinoma: Case report and literature review. Int J Surg Case Rep 2023; 107:108376. [PMID: 37269766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE Non-functional pituitary carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor. It is characterized by the presence of cerebrospinal or distant metastasis of an adenohypophysis tumor without any hypersecretion. Only a few cases of non-functional pituitary carcinomas have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION In this paper, we report the case of a 48-year-old female patient who presented with spinal pain and a mass facing the second thoracic vertebrae. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of pituitary and bilateral adrenal incidentalomas. The patient was operated and the histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a non-functional pituitary carcinoma variety "Null Cell". DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION There are no clinical, biological, or radiological characteristics that reliably differentiate between non-functional pituitary adenoma and non-functional pituitary carcinoma. Management remains a challenge for clinicians and neurosurgeons. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy seems necessary to achieve tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najoua Messaoudi
- Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed 1st, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Imane Assarrar
- Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed 1st, Oujda, Morocco
| | - Siham Rouf
- Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed 1st, Oujda, Morocco; Laboratory of Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed first, Oujda, Morocco
| | | | - Hanane Latrech
- Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition, Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed 1st, Oujda, Morocco; Laboratory of Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mohammed first, Oujda, Morocco.
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Padovan M, Cerretti G, Caccese M, Barbot M, Bergo E, Occhi G, Scaroni C, Lombardi G, Ceccato F. Knowing when to discontinue Temozolomide therapy in responding aggressive pituitary tumors and carcinomas: a systematic review and Padua (Italy) case series. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2023; 18:181-198. [PMID: 36876325 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2185221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pituitary adenomas can show a tendency to grow, despite multimodal treatment. Temozolomide (TMZ) has been used in the last 15 years in patients with aggressive pituitary tumors. TMZ requires a careful balance of different expertise, especially for selection criteria. AREAS COVERED We conducted: (1) a systematic review of the published literature from 2006 to 2022, collecting only cases with a complete description of patient follow-up after TMZ discontinuation; (2) a description of all patients with aggressive pituitary adenoma or carcinoma treated in Padua (Italy). EXPERT OPINION There is considerable heterogeneity in the literature: TMZ cycles duration ranged from 3 to 47 months; the follow-up time after TMZ discontinuation ranged from 4 to 91 months (mean 24 months, median 18 months), at least a stable disease has been reported in 75% of patients after a mean 13 months (range 3-47 months, median 10 months). The Padua (Italy) cohort reflects the literature. Future directions to explore are to understand the pathophysiological mechanism of TMZ resistance escape, to develop predicting factors to TMZ treatment (especially through the delineation of the underlying transformation processes), and to further expand the therapeutic applications of TMZ (as neoadjuvant, combined with radiotherapy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Padovan
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giulia Cerretti
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Mario Caccese
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Mattia Barbot
- Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bergo
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Gianluca Occhi
- Department of Biology DIBIO, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carla Scaroni
- Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lombardi
- Department of Oncology, Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Ceccato
- Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Endocrine Disease Unit, University-Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Sinclair G, Olsson M, Benmakhlouf H, Al-saffar Y, Johnstone P, Hatiboglu MA, Shamikh A. Pituitary carcinomas: Rare and challenging. Surg Neurol Int 2019; 10:161. [PMID: 31528496 PMCID: PMC6744763 DOI: 10.25259/sni_112_2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary carcinomas (PCs) are defined as adenohypophyseal tumors with metastatic activity within and outside the boundaries of the central nervous system (CNS). The condition is rare and therefore seldom reported; most lesions are hormone producing and have a tendency for complex evolution. As such, the management of PCs remains difficult. We present an illustrative case of PC with a brief review of the recent medical literature. CASE DESCRIPTION A 58-year-old patient was diagnosed with prolactinoma in 2005. The ensuing biochemical and radiological evolution proved contentious; local tumor control was never fully achieved despite multimodal management including pharmacological treatment, repeated resections, and radiotherapy. In late 2017, the patient developed metastatic lesions within the confinements of the CNS requiring further surgical interventions, high-dose radiation, and systemic treatment. CONCLUSION As it was the case in our patient, PCs require tailored, multimodal treatments according to the degree of infiltration, site of invasion, and hormone status. Further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms promoting "extra-sellar" activity, particularly at distant sites; the identification of biomarkers exposing the risk of PC remains a crucial aspect of diagnostics, prevention and future customized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Sinclair
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden,,Department of Oncology, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, United Kingdom,,Department of Neurosurgery, Bezmialem Vakif University Medical School, İstanbul, Turkey.,Corresponding author: Georges Sinclair, Department of Oncology, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, London Rd, Reading RG1 5AN, United Kingdom.
| | - Martin Olsson
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hamza Benmakhlouf
- Departments of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yahya Al-saffar
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philippa Johnstone
- Department of Oncology, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alia Shamikh
- Departments of Neuropathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Drummond J, Roncaroli F, Grossman AB, Korbonits M. Clinical and Pathological Aspects of Silent Pituitary Adenomas. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:2473-2489. [PMID: 30020466 PMCID: PMC6517166 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Silent pituitary adenomas are anterior pituitary tumors with hormone synthesis but without signs or symptoms of hormone hypersecretion. They have been increasingly recognized and represent challenging diagnostic issues. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from January 2000 to March 2018 with the following key words: (i) pituitary adenoma/tumor and nonfunctioning; or (ii) pituitary adenoma/tumor and silent. All titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles were reviewed, and recent advances in the field of silent pituitary adenomas were summarized. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS The clinical and biochemical picture of pituitary adenomas reflects a continuum between functional and silent adenomas. Although some adenomas are truly silent, others will show some evidence of biochemical hypersecretion or could have subtle clinical signs and, therefore, can be referred to as clinically silent or "whispering" adenomas. Silent tumors seem to be more aggressive than their secreting counterparts, with a greater recurrence rate. Transcription factors for pituitary cell lineages have been introduced into the 2017 World Health Organization guidelines: steroidogenic factor 1 staining for gonadotroph lineage; PIT1 (pituitary-specific positive transcription factor 1) for growth hormone, prolactin, and TSH lineage, and TPIT for the corticotroph lineage. Prospective studies applying these criteria will establish the value of the new classification. CONCLUSIONS A concise review of the clinical and pathological aspects of silent pituitary adenomas was conducted in view of the new World Health Organization classification of pituitary adenomas. New classifications, novel prognostics markers, and emerging imaging and therapeutic approaches need to be evaluated to better serve this unique group of patients.
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MESH Headings
- Biomarkers, Tumor/blood
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control
- Pituitary Gland, Anterior/diagnostic imaging
- Pituitary Gland, Anterior/pathology
- Pituitary Gland, Anterior/surgery
- Pituitary Hormones, Anterior/blood
- Pituitary Hormones, Anterior/metabolism
- Pituitary Neoplasms/blood
- Pituitary Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Pituitary Neoplasms/pathology
- Pituitary Neoplasms/therapy
- Prognosis
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Drummond
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federico Roncaroli
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley B Grossman
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Márta Korbonits
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- Correspondenceand Reprint Requests: Márta Korbonits, MD, PhD, Department of Endocrinology, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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Yoo F, Kuan EC, Heaney AP, Bergsneider M, Wang MB. Corticotrophic pituitary carcinoma with cervical metastases: case series and literature review. Pituitary 2018; 21:290-301. [PMID: 29404894 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-018-0872-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pituitary tumors are the second most common intracranial tumors, however, pituitary carcinoma is a rare clinical entity which represents only 0.1-0.2% of all pituitary tumors. Diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma requires the presence of metastasis. Early identification of pituitary carcinoma is difficult, and only recently have guidelines been published for the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors. We present two cases from our institution, with a review of other cases available in literature in order to better characterize this rare disease. METHODS A retrospective review of two patients with pituitary carcinoma treated at a tertiary medical center was performed. The MEDLINE database was searched for all cases of pituitary carcinoma. Information for age at diagnosis, sex, pituitary tumor type, latency period from pituitary tumor to presentation of carcinoma, sites of metastasis, number of surgical therapies, radiation and chemotherapy, and survival after diagnosis were collected. RESULTS A total of 69 studies were available for review for a total of 72 unique cases. The average age at diagnosis was 46.3 years. The most common tumors were ACTH-secreting (34.7%), Prolactin-secreting (23.6%), and Null Cell (15.3%). The average latency period from pituitary tumor diagnosis to metastasis was 9 years. All patients underwent surgical therapy during their treatment, with an average of 2.76 procedures. The mortality rate was 54.8% with average time to death after diagnosis of approximately 10 months. CONCLUSIONS Pituitary carcinoma is a rare disease with high mortality rate and is a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Further study is required but is difficult due to its low incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Yoo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave. 62-132 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1624, USA.
| | - Edward C Kuan
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave. 62-132 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1624, USA
| | - Anthony P Heaney
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marvin Bergsneider
- Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Marilene B Wang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave. 62-132 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1624, USA
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Abstract
Non-functioning pituitary carcinomas (NFPC) are defined as tumours of adenophyseal origin with craniospinal or systemic dissemination, with the absence of a hormonal hypersecretion syndrome. These are a histologically heterogenous group of tumours, comprising gonadotroph, null cell, "silent" tumours of corticotroph, somatotroph or lactotroph cell lineages as well as plurihormonal Pit-1 tumours. NFPC are exceedingly rare, and hence few cases have been described. This review has identified 38 patients with NFPC reported in the literature. Recurrent invasive non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) were observed in a majority of patients. Various factors have been identified as markers of the potential for aggressive behaviour, including rapid tumour growth, growth after radiotherapy, gain or shift of hormone secretion and raised proliferative markers. Typically, there is a latency of several years from the original presentation with an NFPA to identification of metastases and only 5 cases reported with rapidly progressive malignant disease within 1 month of presentation. Therapeutic options include debulking surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide recommended as first line systemic treatment. Although long-term survivors are described, prognosis remains generally very poor (median survival 8 months). Improvements in molecular tumour profiling may assist in predicting tumour behaviour, guide therapeutic choices and identify novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nèle Lenders
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ann McCormack
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Kamiya-Matsuoka C, Cachia D, Waguespack SG, Crane CH, Mahajan A, Brown PD, Nam JY, McCutcheon IE, Penas-Prado M. Radiotherapy with concurrent temozolomide for the management of extraneural metastases in pituitary carcinoma. Pituitary 2016; 19:415-21. [PMID: 27106209 PMCID: PMC5215904 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-016-0721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary carcinomas (PC) are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors, accounting for 0.1 % of all pituitary tumors. The diagnosis of PC is based on the presence of metastases from a pituitary adenoma, and not by local invasion or pathological features alone. PC is typically resistant to therapy, with a median overall survival of only 31 months. There is no standard treatment for PC, but maximal safe resection and radiation are performed when possible. Encouraging preliminary data on the use of temozolomide (TMZ)-based therapy has been previously reported. METHODS We report the response to therapy and safety of radiation with concurrent temozolomide (RT/TMZ) in 2 adult patients with heavily pretreated PC and extraneural metastases. RESULTS Both patients had prior history of pituitary macroadenoma. At the time of diagnosis of PC, Ki-67 % was 24.2 and 10 %, with positive p53 staining in one case. Metastatic sites included lymph nodes, liver and bone. Case-1 received RT/TMZ to the tumor bed in the skull base and to the metastases in the cervical lymph nodes. Case-2 received RT/TMZ to recurrent tumor involving portacaval lymph nodes. Both patients achieved excellent long-term control of the sites of treated extraneural metastases, with no significant acute or delayed toxicity. CONCLUSIONS RT/TMZ was safely delivered and might provide sustained control of extraneural metastases in PC. Although this retrospective report has limitations, RT/TMZ can be considered as a therapeutic option for the management of extraneural metastases in PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Kamiya-Matsuoka
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Blvd, Room FC7.3000, Unit 431, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - David Cachia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Steven G Waguespack
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher H Crane
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anita Mahajan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul D Brown
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joo Yeon Nam
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Blvd, Room FC7.3000, Unit 431, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ian E McCutcheon
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marta Penas-Prado
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Holcombe Blvd, Room FC7.3000, Unit 431, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Ji Y, Vogel RI, Lou E. Temozolomide treatment of pituitary carcinomas and atypical adenomas: systematic review of case reports. Neurooncol Pract 2015; 3:188-195. [PMID: 27551432 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npv059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary carcinomas (PC) and atypical pituitary adenomas (APA) are rare variants of pituitary tumors for which no evidence-based treatment currently exists. We sought to determine whether temozolomide represents an effective chemotherapeutic option for patients with PC and APA. METHODS A systematic review was performed using all published cases of PC and APA treated with temozolomide, and for which information on treatment regimen, clinical response, and survival could be identified. The primary goal of this analysis was to describe overall survival and progression-free survival among PC and APA patients after temozolomide treatment. Secondary goals included assessment of response rate and biomarkers of response. RESULTS We identified 57 cases and obtained follow-up data on 54 patients (31 APA and 23 PC) for analysis. Estimates of 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 21.9% and 57.4% for patients with APA and 36.1% and 56.2% for patients with PC. Among those who responded to temozolomide, overall survival was marginally statistically significantly greater for patients on long-term temozolomide therapy compared with those who were not (5-year overall survival 91.7% vs 54.1%, P = .08); Progression-free survival results were similar but not statistically significant. The objective response rate was 48.4% for patients with APA and 65.2% for patients with PC. Stable disease occurred in 29% of APA and 17.4% of PC patients. Neither histology nor expression of Ki-67 correlated with response; however, negative O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase staining was strongly related to response to temozolomide in patients with APA (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Temozolomide is an effective treatment of both PC and APA, and long-term treatment can be considered for particularly aggressive cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ji
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (Y.J., E.L.); Masonic Cancer Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (R.I.V.)
| | - Rachel Isaksson Vogel
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (Y.J., E.L.); Masonic Cancer Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (R.I.V.)
| | - Emil Lou
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (Y.J., E.L.); Masonic Cancer Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN (R.I.V.)
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Liu JK, Patel J, Eloy JA. The role of temozolomide in the treatment of aggressive pituitary tumors. J Clin Neurosci 2015; 22:923-9. [PMID: 25772801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary tumors are amongst the most common intracranial neoplasms and are generally benign. However, some pituitary tumors exhibit clinically aggressive behavior that is characterized by tumor recurrence and continued progression despite repeated treatments with conventional surgical, radiation and medical therapies. More recently, temozolomide, a second generation oral alkylating agent, has shown therapeutic promise for aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas with favorable clinical and radiographic responses. Temozolomide causes DNA damage by methylation of the O(6) position of guanine, which results in potent cytotoxic DNA adducts and consequently, tumor cell apoptosis. The degree of MGMT expression appears to be inversely related to therapeutic responsiveness to temozolomide with a significant number of temozolomide-sensitive pituitary tumors exhibiting low MGMT expression. The presence of high MGMT expression appears to mitigate the effectiveness of temozolomide and this has been used as a marker in several studies to predict the efficacy of temozolomide. Recent evidence also suggests that mutations in mismatch repair proteins such as MSH6 could render pituitary tumors resistant to temozolomide. In this article, the authors review the development of temozolomide, its biochemistry and interaction with O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), its role in adjuvant treatment of aggressive pituitary neoplasms, and future works that could influence the efficacy of temozolomide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- James K Liu
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Suite 8100, 90 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
| | - Jimmy Patel
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jean Anderson Eloy
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Neurological Institute of New Jersey, Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Suite 8100, 90 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
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10
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Bruno OD, Juárez-Allen L, Christiansen SB, Manavela M, Danilowicz K, Vigovich C, Gómez RM. Temozolomide Therapy for Aggressive Pituitary Tumors: Results in a Small Series of Patients from Argentina. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:587893. [PMID: 26106414 PMCID: PMC4461777 DOI: 10.1155/2015/587893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated results of temozolomide (TMZ) therapy in six patients, aged 34-78 years, presenting aggressive pituitary tumors. In all the patients tested O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) immunoexpression in surgical specimens was absent. Patients received temozolomide 140-320 mg/day for 5 days monthly for at least 3 months. In two patients minimum time for evaluation could not be reached because of death in a 76-year-old man with a malignant prolactinoma and of severe neutro-thrombopenia in a 47-year-old woman with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. In two patients (a 34-year-old acromegalic woman and a 39-year-old woman with Nelson's syndrome) no response was observed after 4 and 6 months, respectively, and the treatment was stopped. Conversely, two 52- and 42-year-old women with Cushing's disease had long-term total clinical and radiological remissions which persisted after stopping temozolomide. We conclude that TMZ therapy may be of variable efficacy depending on-until now-incompletely understood factors. Cooperative work on a greater number of cases of aggressive pituitary tumors should be crucial to establish the indications, doses, and duration of temozolomide administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar D. Bruno
- Foundation of Endocrinology, 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Oscar D. Bruno:
| | | | | | - Marcos Manavela
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Danilowicz
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Vigovich
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Reynaldo M. Gómez
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas, University of Buenos Aires, 1120 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Chatzellis E, Alexandraki KI, Androulakis II, Kaltsas G. Aggressive pituitary tumors. Neuroendocrinology 2015; 101:87-104. [PMID: 25571935 DOI: 10.1159/000371806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial tumors that are mainly considered as benign. Rarely, these tumors can exhibit an aggressive behavior, characterized by gross invasion of the surrounding tissues, resistance to conventional treatment leading to early and frequent recurrences. Even more rarely, pituitary tumors can give rise to cerebrospinal or systemic metastases qualifying as pituitary carcinomas according to the latest WHO definition. In the same classification, a subset of tumors with relatively distinct histopathological features was identified and defined as atypical adenomas designated to follow a more aggressive clinical course. This classification, although clinically useful, does not provide an accurate correlation between histopathological findings and the clinical behavior of these tumors, neither is it adequate to convey the precise features of 'aggressive' tumors. Thus, 'aggressive' pituitary adenomas need to be properly defined with clinical, radiological, histological and molecular markers in order to identify patients at increased risk of early recurrence or subsequent tumor progression. At present, no single marker or classification system of pituitary tumor aggressiveness exists, and clinically useful information in the literature is insufficient to guide diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Treatment of patients with aggressive pituitary tumors is challenging since conventional treatments often fail, necessitating multiple surgical procedures with additional radiotherapy. Although traditional chemotherapy applied in other neuroendocrine tumors has not been shown to be efficacious, newer agents, particularly temozolomide, have shown promising results and are currently used despite the lack of data from a randomized prospective trial. Molecular targeted therapies such as mTOR and epidermal growth factor inhibitors have also been applied and might prove to be useful in the management of these patients. In the present review, we provide information regarding the epidemiology and clinical, histopathological and molecular features of aggressive pituitary tumors using recent employed definitions. In addition, we review currently employed therapeutic means providing a therapeutic algorithm and highlight the need to identify more specific disease-related and prognostic markers and the necessity for central registration of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleftherios Chatzellis
- Endocrine Unit, Department of Pathophysiology, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of pituitary adenomas. J Neurooncol 2014; 117:379-94. [PMID: 24481996 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-013-1354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas are usually benign monoclonal tumours presenting either due to hypersecretion of pituitary hormones, and/or due to local space occupying effects and hyposecretion of some or all of the pituitary hormones. Some pituitary adenomas cause prominent symptoms, while others may result in slowly developing, insidious, non-specific complains delaying accurate diagnosis, with a third group remaining symptomless and recognised only incidentally. Therefore, it is a challenge to accurately determine the prevalence and incidence of pituitary adenomas in the general population. The vast majority of pituitary adenomas occur sporadically, but familial cases are now increasingly recognised. Hereditary predisposition, somatic mutations and endocrine factors were shown to have a pathophysiologic role in the initiation and progression of pituitary adenomas, which interestingly almost always remain benign. Here, we summarize the available epidemiological data and the known pathogenesis of the pituitary adenomas.
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Matsuno A, Murakami M, Hoya K, Yamada SM, Miyamoto S, Yamada S, Son JH, Nishido H, Ide F, Nagashima H, Sugaya M, Hirohata T, Mizutani A, Okinaga H, Ishii Y, Tahara S, Teramoto A, Osamura RY. Molecular status of pituitary carcinoma and atypical adenoma that contributes the effectiveness of temozolomide. Med Mol Morphol 2013; 47:1-7. [PMID: 23955641 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-013-0050-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
There have been several reports of temozolomide (TMZ) treatment of pituitary carcinomas and atypical adenomas. O(6)-methyl-guanine-DNA methyltransferase is not the sole molecule determining the sensitivity to TMZ in pituitary carcinomas and atypical adenomas. The Japan Society of Hypothalamic and Pituitary Tumors study suggests that MSH6, one of mismatch repair pathway enzyme, fulfills a contributory role to the efficacy of TMZ treatment for pituitary carcinomas and atypical adenomas. The preserved MSH6 function might be essential for the responsiveness to TMZ treatment in pituitary carcinomas and atypical adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Matsuno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, 3426-3 Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba, 299-0111, Japan,
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