Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Sox2 is a widely expressed marker of progenitor and stem cells in various organs, strongly expressed within Rathke’s pouch and the neural ectoderm. It exerts a critical role in the early stages of pituitary development but it is still expressed in the adult gland. Sox2 expression in pituitary adenomas and its possible correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics have not been investigated so far.Aim: To evaluate the immunohistoch...

BackgroundPituitary adenomas are general benign tumors. However, gross invasion at time of operation is observed in up to 35% of pituitary adenomas. The new WHO classification describes pituitary tumor subtypes along with histological markers, such as Ki67 > 3%, that may suggest a potential for aggressive clinical behavior. The expression of EGFR in tumor microenvironment of pituitary adenomas ant its correlation with tumor behavior have been poorly ...

Background: Pituitary adenomas(PAs) comprise 10%–25% of all intracranial tumors, the majority of them being benign. But 35% of all PAs are considered invasive, having a higher recurrence rate than benign ones.Objectives: We analyzed the expression of different angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in PAs and identified correlations with the hormone profile that could explain their behavior and prognosis.Methods: Our st...

Introduction: Acromegaly is characterized by elevated levels of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), most often due to a pituitary tumor. Persistent high levels of these hormones lead to a constellation of signs and symptoms and systemic complications associated with increased mortality. A potential association between acromegaly and cancer has been hypothesized regarding colorectal, thyroid, and prostate cancers, but there are few or no descriptions f...

Introduction: The development of pituitary gland is orchestrated by genetic signals, transcription factors and signaling molecules with a crucial role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Anterior pituitary gland is formed by both granular (secretory) and agranular cells represented mainly by follicular-stellate cells. It is known that these cells form a supporting network around secretory cells and produce many kind of growth factors, but their major function remains un...

Background: The role of EGFR, HER2, PDGF-A and the axis PDGF-B/ PDGFR-β in the pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas and their correlation with the tumoral immunoprofile are poorly understood.Materials and methods: The study included 92 cases. We used morphological stains, immunohistochemistry and molecular methods to characterize the tumors.Results: 33.33% of adenomas showed a positive immunohistochemical reaction for HER2- with...

Introduction: Folliculo-stellate cells (FSCs), non-endocrine star-like shaped population of cells located in the anterior pituitary, have very heterogenous function and phenotype. Located between the secretory cells, their first atributed role was connected to a supporting network. In literature, they were mentioned to be involved in the pathogenesis and evolution of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs).Objectives: Analyse FSCs characteristics and d...

Introduction: Somatotroph pituitary adenomas (PAs) represent 10-15% of all resected PAs, exhibiting immunohistochemical (IHC) positivity for GH (growth hormone) and PIT-1 transcription factor (TF). The histopathological (HP) and IHC variability of each PA influences the phenotype, radiological features, and therapy response.Materials and methods: The study included 33 patients with acromegaly, with men: women ratio of 17:16. The HP-IHC characteristics we...

Introduction: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) are characterized by a heterogenous behavior. The immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of anterior pituitary hormones, along with that of pituitary transcription factors and with the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the patients can be integrated in a risk stratification system, which helps the therapeutic management.Material and Methods: We analyzed 37 patients with confirmed diagnosis of a...

Introduction: Clinically non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (NFPitNETs) include all anterior pituitary tumours that are not hormonally active. In histopathology (HP) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), most of NFPitNETs are gonadotroph (1). Immunolabeling is negative in only 10% of cases (‘null-cell’). Occasionally, NFPitNETs are positive for GH, PRL, TSH or ACTH despite absent or only minimal secretion of these hormones in vivo, which are known as...