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Neural cell adhesion molecule expression in human pituitary adenomas
B K Kleinschmidt-DeMasters1, D R Conway, W A Franklin
1Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262-0216, USA.
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression in pituitary adenomas was studied. NCAM expressivity did not correlate with tumor invasiveness, suggesting it is not a reliable marker for assessing pituitary adenoma progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a cell surface glycoprotein implicated in neoplasm growth.
- Understanding NCAM expression in pituitary adenomas may offer insights into tumor behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression in human pituitary adenomas.
- To determine if NCAM expression correlates with the invasive characteristics of pituitary adenomas.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody NKH-1 was performed on snap-frozen and fixed pituitary adenoma tissues.
- Analyzed NCAM expression patterns (cytoplasmic, membranous, mixed) in various pituitary adenoma subtypes.
- Correlated NCAM staining with clinical invasiveness in 20 patients.
Main Results:
- NCAM immunostaining was detected in snap-frozen pituitary tumor samples.
- Fixed tissues showed less distinct NCAM localization, with some diffuse positivity observed.
- No significant correlation was found between NCAM staining patterns and the invasive nature of the pituitary adenomas.
Conclusions:
- NCAM expression is present in human pituitary adenomas.
- NCAM expressivity is not a reliable biomarker for predicting or assessing the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas.