Biomarkers of pituitary neoplasms: a review (Part II)

Several new markers have shown a capacity to predict the clinicopathological behavior of pituitary neoplasms; these markers have shown potential to correlate with tumor subtype and size and patient age and sex. These various markers are involved in a host of cellular functions, including cell-cycle progression, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell adhesion, and tumor vascularity. In this companion article to our first review of Ki-67 as a marker of pituitary adenomas, we present and analyze the literature regarding matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases), vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and its receptor, apoptotic markers and p53, as well as cyclooxygenase-2, galectin-3, and pituitary tumor transforming gene. Some of these markers, such as fibroblast growth factor and fibroblast growth factor receptor and matrix metalloproteinases, show particular promise in their ability to identify pituitary tumors that behave in an aggressive manner. We suggest the need for uniform design and application of methods and standardized criteria for the interpretation of results. A uniform approach will establish clinicopathological utility of emerging markers.