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Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

Pasireotide, a multiple somatostatin receptor subtypes ligand, reduces cell viability in non-functioning pituitary

Maria Chiara Zatelli1, Daniela Piccin, Cristina Vignali

  • 1Section of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola 9, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.

Endocrine-Related Cancer
|March 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Somatostatin analogs like pasireotide may treat non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) by reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study identified

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) are often treated with somatostatin (SRIF) analogs, but results vary.
  • SRIF may inhibit tumor growth by reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key factor in pituitary tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of a multireceptor SRIF ligand, pasireotide, on VEGF secretion and cell proliferation in human NFA primary cultures.
  • To correlate SRIF receptor (SSTR) expression with NFA response to pasireotide treatment.

Main Methods:

  • RT-PCR analysis of SSTRs, VEGF, and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) in 25 NFA samples.
  • In vitro assessment of SRIF and pasireotide effects on VEGF secretion and cell viability in NFA primary cultures.

Main Results:

  • All NFAs expressed alpha-subunit, VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2, with variable SSTR expression.
  • SRIF and pasireotide reduced VEGF secretion and cell viability in a subset of 'responder' NFAs.
  • Pasireotide effectively blocked VEGF-induced NFA cell proliferation, irrespective of SSTR5 expression.

Conclusions:

  • Pasireotide demonstrates potential in treating selected NFAs by inhibiting VEGF secretion and subsequent cell proliferation.
  • The study highlights the differential response of NFAs to SRIF analogs, suggesting a role for targeted therapy based on VEGF signaling.

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