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Pituicytoma-An outlook on possible targeted therapies
Klaus Christian Mende1, Jakob Matschke2, Till Burkhardt1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hamburg University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany.
Introduction:
Pituicytoma is a rare neoplasm of the sella region. Tumor resection is the primary treatment option, but remains subtotal due to excessive bleeding in many cases. The search for alternative or additional treatment regimens is necessary.
Aims:
We aimed to determine the receptor expression of pituicytoma to find alternatives or supplements to surgical therapy in the use of targeted therapies.
Methods:
Pituicytoma samples were collected from three institutions between 2006 and 2015 and were stained for vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), thyroid transcription factor (TTF1), and somatostatin receptors (SSTR 2/3/5). The stains were classified from 0=no staining to +++=strong staining. A complementary retrospective analysis of the patient charts regarding sex, age, and primary symptoms, pituitary function, and perioperative complications was performed.
Results:
Ten samples were analyzed; mean patient age was 57.8 years SD 16.3 years. Seven samples were acquired from male patients (one relapse) and three from female. All tumors stained strongly positive (+++) for VEGF-R. Six samples stained positive for TTF1. As for somatostatin receptors, three samples were slightly positive for SSTR 2; seven were negative. SSTR 3 was + in one, three were ++, three were +++, and three were 0. SSTR 5 stained +++ in 1, ++ in 5, + in 1, and 0 in three patients.
Conclusions:
Pituicytomas were generally positive for VEGFR and showed regular expression of SSTR 3 and 5 indicating a possible treatment option through targeted therapies in cases where resection remains insufficient. Further research is necessary as to whether tumor growth can be inhibited using these pathways.
Insights
Pituicytomas show strong expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) and variable expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR 3 and 5), suggesting potential for targeted therapies when surgery is insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Pituicytoma is a rare sellar region neoplasm.
- Surgical resection is the primary treatment but often subtotal due to bleeding.
- Alternative or supplementary treatment strategies are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pituicytoma receptor expression for targeted therapy development.
- To identify potential molecular targets for alternative treatment of pituicytoma.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 10 pituicytoma samples (2006-2015) from three institutions.
- Stained for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R), thyroid transcription factor (TTF1), and somatostatin receptors (SSTR 2/3/5).
- Performed retrospective chart analysis for clinical data.
Main Results:
- All tumors showed strong positive staining for VEGF-R (+++).
- Variable expression of somatostatin receptors: SSTR 3 (1+, 3++, 3+++) and SSTR 5 (1+, 5++, 1+++).
- Six samples stained positive for TTF1.
Conclusions:
- Pituicytomas express VEGF-R and SSTR 3/5, indicating potential for targeted therapies.
- Targeted therapies may supplement surgical treatment for pituicytoma.
- Further research is needed to explore therapeutic inhibition via these pathways.
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