Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has become the method of choice for quantification of gene expression changes. Inappropriate data normalization and inconsistent data analyses are some limitations of RT-qPCR. Pituitary adenomas are frequent tumours and the interpretation of increasingly published data within this field is hindered by the lack of a proper selection and validation of stably expressed reference genes.Ai...

Background: Functioning (FCA) and silent corticotroph (SCA) pituitary adenomas act differently from a clinical perspective, despite both subtypes showing positive ACTH staining by immunohistochemistry. They are challenging to treat, the former due to functional ACTH production and consequently hypercortisolemia leading to Cushing disease, whereas the latter due to invasive and recurrent behaviour. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms behind their distinct behaviour are not clear...

Background: The exact mechanism behind the hypersecretion of ACTH and lack of negative cortisol feedback on POMC regulation in functional corticotroph adenomas (FCA) is unknown. Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCA) express, but do not secrete functional ACTH and have lower POMC expression. Using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, previous studies have identified some POMC-transcription factors, regulators and processing enzymes to be differentially expressed between FCA and SCA. ...

Background: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) necessitate prolonged clinical, biochemical and radiological observation, constituting a significant burden in terms of medical resources and societal costs. Reliable biomarkers associated with aggressiveness and recurrence of NFPAs are lacking. As the growth of tumor remnants is highly variable, molecular markers that can predict growth potential and tumor behavior are necessary.Aim: To identify tar...