Bromocriptine-responsive supersellar germinoma with the expression of dopamine receptors: A case report

Yu Peng Wu1, Yi Bao Wang2, Zhe Bao Wu3

  • 12nd Department of Neurosurgery, Liaoning Provincial People's Hospital, Shenyang, 110016, China.

Abstract

Insights

Dopamine agonists like bromocriptine show potential in treating sellar germinomas, particularly those expressing dopamine receptors. This offers a novel therapeutic avenue for these rare brain tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Neuro-oncology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Germinomas are typically treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
  • The therapeutic potential of dopamine agonists (DAs) on germinomas remains unexplored.

Observation:

  • A patient with a sellar tumor and hyperprolactinemia was treated with bromocriptine.
  • Bromocriptine initially caused an 82% tumor volume reduction.
  • Tumor regrowth occurred, necessitating surgery; histopathology confirmed pure sellar germinoma expressing dopamine 2 and 5 receptors.

Findings:

  • Germinoma cells expressed dopamine 2 and 5 receptors.
  • Bromocriptine demonstrated transient, significant tumor shrinkage.

Implications:

  • Dopamine agonists may represent a novel therapeutic option for germinomas expressing dopamine 2/5 receptors.
  • This suggests a potential targeted therapy approach for specific germinoma subtypes.

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:28

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
1.3K
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:29

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...
884
Internal Receptors01:31

Internal Receptors

Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and therefore cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind to internal, or intracellular, receptors that reside within the cell. Many mammalian steroid hormones use this mechanism of cell signaling, as does nitric oxide (NO) gas.
74.7K
Data Reporting and Recording01:24

Data Reporting and Recording

Reporting and recording are crucial in data documentation. The timely, thorough, and accurate documentation of facts is essential when recording patient data. Failure to record findings during an assessment or interpretation of a problem will result in loss of information and make the patient document unreliable. The reader is left with general impressions if the information is not specific. A recording is documenting data of the individual's health information in a traceable, secure, and...
5.4K
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
86.6K
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light02:00

Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light

Light plays a significant role in regulating the growth and development of plants. In addition to providing energy for photosynthesis, light provides other important cues to regulate a range of developmental and physiological responses in plants.
28.5K