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Serioli S, Agostini L, Pietrantoni A, Valeri F, Costanza F, Chiloiro S, Buffoli B, Piazza A, Poliani PL, Peris-Celda M, Iavarone F, Gaudino S, Gessi M, Schinzari G, Mattogno PP, Giampietro A, De Marinis L, Pontecorvi A, Fontanella MM, Lauretti L, Rindi G, Olivi A, Bianchi A, Doglietto F. Aggressive PitNETs and Potential Target Therapies: A Systematic Review of Molecular and Genetic Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15719. [PMID: 37958702 PMCID: PMC10650665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics have allowed a more thorough understanding of tumorigenesis in aggressive PitNETs (pituitary neuroendocrine tumors) through the identification of specific essential genes, crucial molecular pathways, regulators, and effects of the tumoral microenvironment. Target therapies have been developed to cure oncology patients refractory to traditional treatments, introducing the concept of precision medicine. Preliminary data on PitNETs are derived from preclinical studies conducted on cell cultures, animal models, and a few case reports or small case series. This study comprehensively reviews the principal pathways involved in aggressive PitNETs, describing the potential target therapies. A search was conducted on Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science for English papers published between 1 January 2004, and 15 June 2023. 254 were selected, and the topics related to aggressive PitNETs were recorded and discussed in detail: epigenetic aspects, membrane proteins and receptors, metalloprotease, molecular pathways, PPRK, and the immune microenvironment. A comprehensive comprehension of the molecular mechanisms linked to PitNETs' aggressiveness and invasiveness is crucial. Despite promising preliminary findings, additional research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the indications and effectiveness of target therapies for PitNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serioli
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Ludovico Agostini
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | | | - Federico Valeri
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Flavia Costanza
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sabrina Chiloiro
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Barbara Buffoli
- Section of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Amedeo Piazza
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery Division, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Pietro Luigi Poliani
- Pathology Unit, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Maria Peris-Celda
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Federica Iavarone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy;
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS “A. Gemelli”, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Gaudino
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Institute of Radiology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Gessi
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Schinzari
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Mattogno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonella Giampietro
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura De Marinis
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marco Maria Fontanella
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Liverana Lauretti
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Guido Rindi
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Olivi
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonio Bianchi
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Pituitary Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Doglietto
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (F.V.); (F.C.); (S.G.); (M.G.); (G.S.); (L.D.M.); (A.P.); (L.L.); (G.R.); (A.O.); (A.B.); (F.D.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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Vamvoukaki R, Chrysoulaki M, Betsi G, Xekouki P. Pituitary Tumorigenesis-Implications for Management. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040812. [PMID: 37109772 PMCID: PMC10145673 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), the third most common intracranial tumor, are mostly benign. However, some of them may display a more aggressive behavior, invading into the surrounding structures. While they may rarely metastasize, they may resist different treatment modalities. Several major advances in molecular biology in the past few years led to the discovery of the possible mechanisms involved in pituitary tumorigenesis with a possible therapeutic implication. The mutations in the different proteins involved in the Gsa/protein kinase A/c AMP signaling pathway are well-known and are responsible for many PitNETS, such as somatotropinomas and, in the context of syndromes, as the McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, familiar isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA), and X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG). The other pathways involved are the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, and the most recently studied HIPPO pathways. Moreover, the mutations in several other tumor suppressor genes, such as menin and CDKN1B, are responsible for the MEN1 and MEN4 syndromes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) in the context of the 3PAs syndrome. Furthermore, the pituitary stem cells and miRNAs hold an essential role in pituitary tumorigenesis and may represent new molecular targets for their diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to summarize the different cell signaling pathways and genes involved in pituitary tumorigenesis in an attempt to clarify their implications for diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Vamvoukaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Chrysoulaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Grigoria Betsi
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Xekouki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
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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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