Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 31, 2025

Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms
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Implementation of In Vitro Drug Resistance Assays: Maximizing the Potential for Uncovering Clinically Relevant Resistance Mechanisms

Published on: December 9, 2015

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Drug resistance in pituitary tumours: from cell membrane to intracellular signalling

Erika Peverelli1, Donatella Treppiedi2, Federica Mangili2

  • 1University of Milan, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Milan, Italy. erika.peverelli@unimi.it.

Nature Reviews. Endocrinology
|July 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Drug resistance in pituitary tumors can occur at various stages of treatment. This review explores molecular factors influencing resistance to somatostatin and dopamine analogues, crucial for effective therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Pharmacological treatment of pituitary tumors relies on somatostatin and dopamine analogues targeting specific receptors.
  • These analogues inhibit hormone secretion, cell growth, and invasion in cancerous pituitary cells.
  • Drug resistance is a significant clinical challenge, affecting treatment efficacy in a subset of patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of the molecular factors contributing to pharmacological resistance in pituitary tumors.
  • To discuss experimental evidence linking receptor function and intracellular proteins to treatment outcomes.
  • To highlight the clinical importance of understanding these molecular mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in pituitary tumors.
  • Analysis of experimental data on somatostatin receptor (SST2, SST5) and dopamine receptor (DRD2) signaling pathways.
  • Examination of the role of intracellular proteins in receptor regulation and signal transduction.

Main Results:

  • Drug resistance can arise from defects in receptor activation, signal transduction, or receptor regulation (desensitization, internalization, trafficking).
  • The expression of somatostatin and dopamine receptors is necessary but not sufficient for successful therapy.
  • Proper functioning of signal transduction machinery and receptor regulation are critical for therapeutic success.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular factors involving receptors and intracellular proteins play a crucial role in the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for pituitary tumors.
  • Understanding these factors is essential for predicting and overcoming drug resistance.
  • Further research into these mechanisms can guide the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

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