Prognostic Biomarkers in Pituitary Tumours: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Tumorigenesis

Background:

• Pituitary tumors (PTs) are common intracranial neoplasms, with a subset exhibiting aggressive behavior and treatment resistance.
• Identifying prognostic biomarkers is crucial for managing invasive or recurrent PTs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recently identified biomarkers with potential prognostic value in aggressive pituitary tumors.
• To explore molecular targets for personalized treatment approaches in invasive/recurrent PTs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies evaluating prognostic biomarkers in invasive/recurrent PTs compared to non-invasive/non-recurrent PTs or normal pituitaries.
• Analysis of biomarker expression in over 911 PTs across 28 studies.

Main Results:

• Several biomarkers positively correlate with PT invasion/recurrence, including MCM7, COX2, ARG1, PD-L2, CD80/86, ESM, FGFR, MMP9, and Fascin.
• Biomarkers negatively correlated with invasion/recurrence include TGF-β1, Smad proteins, TIMP1, and WIF1.
• Certain biomarkers like PD-1/PD-L1, Cyclin A, and CTLA-4 showed no clear association with PT invasion or recurrence.

Conclusions:

• The identified biomarkers offer potential prognostic insights into pituitary tumor behavior.
• Further interventional studies are needed to validate these markers and advance personalized PT treatment.
• Understanding the molecular profile of PTs is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets.