Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Distinct Patterns Between the Invasive and Noninvasive Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Genomics

Background:

• Most pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are intrasellar, but some exhibit parasellar invasion or bone infiltration, impacting prognosis.
• Novel markers for predicting parasellar growth and understanding bone invasiveness and tumor vascularization in PitNETs are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify gene expression differences between invasive and noninvasive PitNETs, focusing on parasellar and bone invasiveness.
• To explore genes correlated with tumor vascularization using the contrast enhancement quotient.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide mRNA analysis was performed on 77 patients with various PitNET types.
• Gene expression patterns were compared between invasive (including bone-invasive) and noninvasive tumors.
• Correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression and the contrast enhancement quotient.

Main Results:

• Genes involved in tumor invasiveness were differentially expressed in parasellar invasive PitNETs.
• Genes linked to the NF-κB pathway and antitumoral immune response were associated with bone invasiveness.
• The contrast enhancement quotient correlated with several angiogenesis-related genes, indicating its role in assessing tumor vascularization.

Conclusions:

• Transcriptomics revealed molecular differences between invasive and noninvasive PitNETs, though clear clustering was absent.
• Identified genes related to PitNET invasiveness and vascularization hold potential for future prognostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Further research is warranted to validate the clinical applicability of these findings.