Endocrine Abstracts

Pituitary tumourigenesis is a complex and poorly understood process. Crucial to the initiation and growth of such tumours is the oncogene PTTG, which stimulates FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis. We recently investigated expression of the angiogenic factor VEGF and its receptor KDR in 103 pituitary tumours. Non-functioning tumours demonstrated markedly raised VEGF mRNA (3.2-fold, P<0.05) and protein levels compared to normal pituitaries (N=10). KDR was also highly induced in NFTs...