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Cabergoline reduces cell viability in non functioning pituitary adenomas by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth

Teresa Gagliano1, Carlo Filieri, Mariella Minoia

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

Pituitary
|February 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dopamine (DA) therapy can stabilize non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs). DA agonists, like cabergoline, reduce NFA cell viability and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by acting on DA receptor 2 (DR2).

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Dopamine (DA) therapy shows promise in stabilizing and shrinking non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs).
  • The precise mechanism by which DA influences NFA growth remains unclear.
  • Previous research suggests DA may inhibit pituitary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, a factor implicated in tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if modulating VEGF secretion mediates the effects of DA agonists on human NFA cell proliferation.
  • To determine the role of dopamine receptor 2 (DR2) in the response of NFAs to DA agonists.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed DR2 expression in 20 NFA primary cultures.
  • Investigated the impact of the selective DR2 agonist cabergoline (Cab) on VEGF secretion and cell viability.
  • Utilized the DA antagonist sulpiride and VEGF to examine the mechanisms of Cab's effects.

Main Results:

  • DR2 was expressed in 11 out of 20 NFA samples.
  • In DR2-expressing tumors, cabergoline significantly reduced cell viability by 25% and VEGF secretion by 20%.
  • The effects of cabergoline were reversed by sulpiride and its antiproliferative action was blocked by VEGF.

Conclusions:

  • Cabergoline, acting through DR2, inhibits cell viability in a subset of NFAs by reducing VEGF secretion.
  • These findings support the potential use of DA agonists in the medical management of DR2-expressing NFAs.
  • VEGF modulation is a key mechanism through which DA agonists exert their anti-proliferative effects on specific pituitary tumors.

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