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Original article

Vol. 143 No. 4546 (2013)

Expression of somatostatin receptors, angiogenesis and proliferation markers in pituitary adenomas: an immunohistochemical study with diagnostic and therapeutic implications

  • Alejandra Magagna-Poveda
  • Henning Leske
  • Christoph Schmid
  • René Bernays
  • Elisabeth Rushing
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4414/smw.2013.13895
Cite this as:
Swiss Med Wkly. 2013;143:w13895
Published
03.11.2013

Summary

PRINCIPLES: Pituitary adenomas are common intracranial neoplasms that generate symptoms as a result of either mass effect or the increased production of pituitary hormones. Although mostly benign, these tumours can be associated with considerable morbidity. We investigated a panel of immunohistochemical preparations to identify potential therapeutic targets and surrogate markers of clinical outcome.

METHODS: Tumour tissue from 25 patients was evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of somatostatin receptors 1‒5, von Willebrand-factor (vWF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), kinesin spindle protein (Eg5) and MIB-1 (Ki-67), and its relationship with clinical features was analysed.

RESULTS: The proliferation marker MIB-1 (Ki-67) was the only marker predictive of adenoma recurrence. Of note, 67% of all relapses were associated with tumours showing luteinising hormone expression. All pituitary adenomas showed variable somatostatin receptor, IL-8, Eg5, vWF and VEGFR-2 expression; a relationship between these parameters and clinical outcome could not be demonstrated in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: This study validates MIB-1 (Ki-67) as a reliable marker of tumour recurrence in pituitary adenomas. Considering the consistently increased expression of Eg5, IL-8, VEGFR-2, somatostatin receptors and vWF in these tumours, further investigation as potential therapeutic targets is warranted.

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