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Lu L, Wan X, Xu Y, Chen J, Shu K, Lei T. Prognostic Factors for Recurrence in Pituitary Adenomas: Recent Progress and Future Directions. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040977. [PMID: 35454025 PMCID: PMC9024548 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are benign lesions; nonetheless, some PAs exhibit aggressive behaviors, which lead to recurrence. The impact of pituitary dysfunction, invasion-related risks, and other complications considerably affect the quality of life of patients with recurrent PAs. Reliable prognostic factors are needed for recurrent PAs but require confirmation. This review summarizes research progress on two aspects—namely, the clinical and biological factors (biomarkers) for recurrent PAs. Postoperative residue, age, immunohistological subtypes, invasion, tumor size, hormone levels, and postoperative radiotherapy can predict the risk of recurrence in patients with PAs. Additionally, biomarkers such as Ki-67, p53, cadherin, pituitary tumor transforming gene, matrix metalloproteinase-9, epidermal growth factor receptor, fascin actin-bundling protein 1, cyclooxygenase-2, and some miRNAs and lncRNAs may be utilized as valuable tools for predicting PA recurrence. As no single marker can independently predict PA recurrence, we introduce an array of comprehensive models and grading methods, including multiple prognostic factors, to predict the prognosis of PAs, which have shown good effectiveness and would be beneficial for predicting PA recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ting Lei
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-27-8366-5202
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Turan H, Tarçın G, Mete Ö, Sinoplu AB, Evliyaoğlu SO, Öz B, Ercan O. Silent Corticotroph Tumor with Adrenocortical Choristoma in an Eleven-year-old Boy. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2022; 14:126-130. [PMID: 33586921 PMCID: PMC8900083 DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2021.2020.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Silent corticotroph tumors are composed of corticotroph cells, but do not manifest any biochemical or clinical evidence of hypercortisolism. A choristoma is a benign, congenital proliferation of histologically mature tissue elements normally not present at the site of occurrence. The existence of adrenocortical cells within the pituitary gland, which can be explained as a choristoma, is a very rare entity, and the co-occurrence of these two entities have only been reported in few cases. We report an 11-year-old boy with central hypothyroidism. On cranial magnetic resonance imaging a pituitary tumor was detected, and histopathological studies led to a diagnosis of an adrenal choristoma and a silent corticotroph tumor in the pituitary gland. The presence of adrenocortical cells were confirmed by positive calretinin, inhibin and Melan A staining, and the corticotroph cells by immunohistochemistry demonstrating adrenocorticotropic hormone positivity. Herein, we report the fourth and the youngest case of silent corticotroph tumor with adrenocortical choristoma in the literature. Even though the underlying mechanism is not fully understood, suggested mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hande Turan
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul, Turkey,* Address for Correspondence: University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University- Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 505 911 37 35 E-mail:
| | - Gürkan Tarçın
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Özgür Mete
- University of Toronto, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Department of Pathology, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ada Bulut Sinoplu
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Saadet Olcay Evliyaoğlu
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Büge Öz
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Oya Ercan
- University of Health Sciences Turkey, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, İstanbul, Turkey
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Demarchi G, Perrone S, Esper Romero G, De Bonis C, Casasco JP, Sevlever G, Berner SI, Cristina C. Case Report: Progression of a Silent Corticotroph Tumor to an Aggressive Secreting Corticotroph Tumor, Treated by Temozolomide. Changes in the Clinic, the Pathology, and the β-Catenin and α-SMA Expression. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:870172. [PMID: 35928898 PMCID: PMC9344046 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.870172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinically silent corticotroph tumors are usually macroadenomas that comprise 20% of ACTH tumors. They frequently progress to aggressive tumors with high recurrence, invasiveness, and on rare occasions, they may become hormonally active causing Cushing's disease. Trustable biomarkers that can predict their aggressive course, as well as their response to traditional or new therapies, are paramount. Aberrant β-Catenin expression and localization have been proposed as responsible for several malignancies including pituitary tumors. Nevertheless, the role of β-Catenin in the aggressive transformation of silent corticotropinomas and their response to Temozolomide salvage treatment have not been explored yet. In this work, we present a case of a silent corticotroph tumor that invaded cavernous sinus and compressed optic chiasm and, after a first total resection and tumor remission it recurred six years later as an aggressive ACTH-secreting tumor. This lesion grew with carotid compromise and caused Cushing's signs. It required multiple medical treatments including Cabergoline, Ketoconazole, TMZ, and radiotherapy. Besides, other two surgeries were needed until it could be controlled. Interestingly, we found α-SMA vascular area reduction and differential β-Catenin cell localization in the more aggressive tumor stages characterized by high Ki-67 indexes and p53 expression. Our results may indicate a role of angiogenesis and β-Catenin trigged events in the pituitary tumor progression, which could in turn affect the response to TMZ and/or conventional treatments. These molecular findings in this unusual case could be useful for future management of aggressive pituitary tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianina Demarchi
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)) Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sofía Perrone
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)) Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Cristian De Bonis
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Clínica Santa Isabel, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Gustavo Sevlever
- Departamento de Neuropatología, Instituto FLENI, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Carolina Cristina
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CITNOBA, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)) Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Carolina Cristina,
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Torregrosa-Quesada ME, García-Martínez A, Sánchez-Barbie A, Silva-Ortega S, Cámara R, Fajardo C, Lamas C, Aranda I, Pico A. The silent variants of pituitary tumors: demographic, radiological and molecular characteristics. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:1637-1648. [PMID: 33476035 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01468-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tumors of the anterior pituitary gland (PTs) are mostly benign tumors with a low prevalence, which has nevertheless increased with advances in brain radiology techniques. Nearly half of PTs are not associated with a clinical endocrine syndrome. These tumors have been indistinctly named non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) or silent pituitary tumors (SPTs) and the mechanisms of silencing are not fully known. AIM To study the frequency and characterize the silent variant of PTs in a large local series, and to assess their pituitary adenohypophyseal gene expression. METHODS This observational, cross-sectional study was performed in a Pituitary Tumor Center of Excellence and involved 268 PTs. After identifying the different subtypes according to the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of adenohypophyseal hormones, we studied their gene expression by RT-qPCR. RESULTS We found that silent tumors were larger and more invasive, but not more proliferative than their functional counterparts. The RT-qPCR complements the IHC typification of PTs, reducing the proportion of null-cell subtype. Finally, some silent PT subtype variants showed lower specific adenohypophyseal hormone gene expression than their functional counterparts, which may contribute to the absence of endocrine manifestations. CONCLUSIONS This paper highlights the importance of identifying the silent variant of the PTs subtypes. As expected, silent tumors were larger and more invasive than their functioning counterparts. However, there was no difference in the proliferation activity between them. Finally, the lower specific gene expression in the silent than in the functioning counterparts of some PTs subtypes gives insights into the silencing mechanisms of PTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Torregrosa-Quesada
- Department of Biochemical Analysis, Alicante General University Hospital-Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010, Alicante, Spain
| | - A García-Martínez
- Research Laboratory, Alicante General University Hospital-Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL). CIBER Rare Diseases, 03010, Alicante, Spain
| | - A Sánchez-Barbie
- Centro de Investigación Operacional (CIO), Miguel Hernández University, 03010, Alicante, Spain
| | - S Silva-Ortega
- Department of Pathology, Alicante General University Hospital-Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010, Alicante, Spain
| | - R Cámara
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Polytechnic University Hospital La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - C Fajardo
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital La Ribera, Alzira, 46600, Valencia, Spain
| | - C Lamas
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Albacete General University Hospital, 02006, Albacete, Spain
| | - I Aranda
- Department of Pathology, Alicante General University Hospital-Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), 03010, Alicante, Spain
| | - A Pico
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Alicante General University Hospital. Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL). University Miguel Hernandez. CIBER Rare Diseases, 03010, Alicante, Spain.
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Araujo-Castro M, Berrocal VR, Pascual-Corrales E. Pituitary tumors: epidemiology and clinical presentation spectrum. Hormones (Athens) 2020; 19:145-155. [PMID: 31933100 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00168-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary tumors (PTs) are a heterogeneous group of lesions of the central nervous system that are usually benign. Most of them occur sporadically, but 5% can do so within family syndromes, usually at a young age. There are differences by sex, age, race, and genetic factors in the prevalence of different tumor cell types and clinical presentation. Functioning-PTs (FPTs) are usually diagnosed earlier than non-functioning PTs (NFPTs). However, this depends on the PT type. Headaches and visual disturbances are the most frequent mass-effect symptoms, but seizures or hydrocephalus may also occur. Pituitary apoplexy is another possible mode of presentation, and it requires special attention because of its potential severity. PTs in pregnancy, childhood, and old age present a series of clinical peculiarities that must be taken into account when evaluating these patients. Ectopic PTs (EPTs) are uncommon and share the same clinical-epidemiological data as eutopic PTs, but, depending on their location, other types of clinical manifestations may appear. Silent PTs are often detected as an incidentaloma or due to neurologic symptoms related to mass-effect. Aggressive PTs and pituitary carcinomas (PCs), which are very rare, are characterized by multiple local recurrences and metastases, respectively. This review addresses the epidemiology and clinical presentation of PTs, from the classical hormonal and mass-effect symptoms to the different rare presentations, such as pituitary apoplexy, hydrocephalus, or diabetes insipidus. Moreover, special situations of the presentation of PTs are discussed, namely, PTs in pregnancy, childhood, and the elderly, EPTs, silent and aggressive PTs, and PCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Araujo-Castro
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Endocrinology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Eider Pascual-Corrales
- Neuroendocrinology Unit, Endocrinology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
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Zheng G, Lu L, Zhu H, You H, Feng M, Liu X, Dai C, Yao Y, Wang R, Zhang H, Sun X, Lu Z. Clinical, Laboratory, and Treatment Profiles of Silent Corticotroph Adenomas That Have Transformed to the Functional Type: A Case Series With a Literature Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:558593. [PMID: 33071973 PMCID: PMC7538591 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.558593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Silent corticotroph adenoma (SCA) is clinically non-functional pituitary adenoma with expression of corticotropin or Tpit. To further understand the characteristics of this rare type of SCA transforming to a functional SCA, we retrospectively reviewed SCAs that converted to typical Cushing's syndrome at a tertiary medical center and the relevant literature. Methods: Patients were identified based on the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma without symptoms of hypercortisolism at the initial visit with positive Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for corticotropin or Tpit after surgery and subsequent transformation to functional SCAs during the follow-up period from March 1990 to January 2020 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and in the literature. The characteristics of the clinical manifestations, biochemical results, imaging findings, pathology findings and outcome were analyzed. Results: Altogether, 16 patients were included in the study with an average age of 42.0 ± 12.48 (18-65) years at the first visit. Females were slightly predominant (F:M = 1.3:1). The median time of conversion from the nonfunctional to the functional type was 30 (13.0, 68.3) months. Once a functional SCA developed, the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level and 24-h urine free cortisol were increased 3.8- (2.6, 12.9) and 5.3- (2.6, 19.3) fold, respectively, above the normal range. Approximately 50% of the patients had macrocystic changes on pituitary MRI. All 16 patients experienced 1-5 surgeries with a median of 2.5 (2.0, 4.0) surgeries. The proportion of patients with Ki-67 ≥ 3% increased from 22.2% (2/9) at the beginning to 50% (7/14) at the time of functional SCA diagnosis. Thirteen patients received radiotherapy, and 4 patients (30.8%) achieved remission. Four patients with refractory functional SCAs received temozolomide treatment with the normalization of cortisol in 4 cases and reduced tumor volume in 3 cases. Conclusion: In this study, all cases that transformed to functional SCAs were macroadenomas. Hypercortisolism was more severe in functional SCA patients. The tumors tended to have frequent recurrence and were highly invasive. Temozolomide could be a promising treatment for refractory functional SCA cases. Long-term follow-up is needed for nonfunctional SCAs since some cases have the potential to transform to clinical Cushing's syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Lin Lu
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hui You
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohai Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Congxin Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Renzhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huabing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Eremkina AK, Dzeranova LK, Pigarova EK, Mokrysheva NG, Dedov II. [Morphofunctional features of non-functioning pituitary adenomas]. Arkh Patol 2019; 81:71-78. [PMID: 30830109 DOI: 10.17116/patol20198101171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) account for about 30% of all pituitary tumors. NFPAs are characterized by the lack of secretory potential or its weak expression insufficient for determination of the blood level of adenohypophyseal tropic hormones and for development of a specific clinical picture. Morphologically, NFPAs are a heterogeneous group of tumors, the classification of which was previously based only on immunoreactivity for pituitary tropic hormones. The WHO revised its Classification of Tumors of Endocrine Organs (4th edition) in 2017. The main changes relate to adenohypophysial-cell lineage for the designation of adenomas into subtypes. The introduction of transcription factor antibodies has become a fundamentally new approach to the classification of NFPAs, which is necessary to recognize less differentiated tumor types. This paper provides information on the new histopathological classification of pituitary adenomas, on the theories of silent adenomas, and on the proliferative and prognostic markers of NFPAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Eremkina
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - L K Dzeranova
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - E K Pigarova
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - N G Mokrysheva
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - I I Dedov
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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Mete O, Hayhurst C, Alahmadi H, Monsalves E, Gucer H, Gentili F, Ezzat S, Asa SL, Zadeh G. The role of mediators of cell invasiveness, motility, and migration in the pathogenesis of silent corticotroph adenomas. Endocr Pathol 2013; 24:191-8. [PMID: 24091601 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-013-9270-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCAs) represent a distinct subset of clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas. There are two variants of SCA; type I are densely granulated basophilic tumors and type II are sparsely granulated and chromophobic tumors. SCAs are known to be aggressive than the more common non-functioning gonadotroph adenomas (NFGAs). Cell-matrix interactions play an important role in the pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas. In this study, we compared 19 SCAs and 50 NFGAs with known fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 (FGFR4) status using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry to localize β1-integrin, osteopontin, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) as cytoplasmic, membranous, or mixed cytoplasmic-membranous staining to achieve scores of 1-4. Staining for β1-integrin was significantly higher in SCAs (100 %, score 3.3) than in NFGAs (96 %; score 2.6) (p = 0.0482); there was no statistical difference within subgroups of SCA (type II score 3.4; type I score 2.8) (p = 0.2663). Osteopontin immunoreactivity was also higher in SCAs (100 %, score 3.7) than in NFGAs (42 %, score 0.8) (p = 0.0001); there was no statistical difference within subgroups of SCA (type II score 3.6; type I score 3.9) (p = 0.2787). In contrast, MMP-1 immunoreactivity was lower in SCAs (89 %; score 2.5) than in NFGAs (98 %; score 3.6) (p = 0.0005); there was no statistical difference within subgroups of SCA (type II score 2.7; type I score 2.0) (p = 0.30704). The MMP-1 results correlated with FGFR4 expression (NFGA 96 %, type II SCA 71 %, type I SCA 40 %). Our data indicate that the biological aggressivity of SCAs compared with NFGA may be due to high osteopontin expression; in contrast, high MMP-1 is characteristic of NFGAs that also express more FGFR4. Further investigations are warranted to clarify the underlying regulatory mechanisms of these markers. The high osteopontin or FGFR4/MMP-1 expression levels in SCAs and NFGAs, respectively, indicate the potential for therapeutic strategies targeting osteopontin or FGFR4/MMP-1 for inoperable tumors of these types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada,
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