Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Sci Rep 2021 May 7;11(1):9801. Epub 2021 May 7.

Department of Endocrinology ASO/EASO COM, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.

Prolactinomas represent the most common type of secretory pituitary neoplasms, with a therapeutic management that varies considerably based on tumour size and degree of hyperprolactinemia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations and prolactinoma size, and to determine a cut-off PRL value that could differentiate micro- from macro-prolactinomas. A retrospective cohort study of 114 patients diagnosed with prolactinomas between 2007 and 2017 was conducted. Read More

J Neurosurg 2021 May 7:1-8. Epub 2021 May 7.

Departments of1Neurological Surgery.

Objective: Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCAs) are a distinct subtype of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) that demonstrate positive immunohistochemistry for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) without causing Cushing's disease. SCAs are hypothesized to exhibit more aggressive behavior than standard NFAs. The authors analyzed their institution's surgical experience with SCAs in an effort to characterize rates of invasion, postoperative clinical outcomes, and patterns of disease recurrence and progression. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2021 Apr 1;2021. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.

Summary: Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by hypersecretion of the growth hormone (GH). Most cases are caused by either pituitary microadenoma or macroadenoma. The GH producing tumors present with clinical manifestations of acromegaly due to excessive GH secretion or symptoms resulting from mass effects of the enlarging tumor. Read More

Adv Mater 2021 May 6:e2100425. Epub 2021 May 6.

Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.

The low delivery efficiency of light-responsive theranostic nanoparticles (NPs) to target tumor sites, particularly to brain tumors due to the blood-brain barrier, has been a critical issue in NP-based cancer treatments. Furthermore, high-energy photons that can effectively activate theranostic NPs are hardly delivered to the target region due to the strong scattering of such photons while penetrating surrounding tissues. Here, a localized delivery method of theranostic NPs and high-energy photons to the target tumor using microneedles-on-bioelectronics is presented. Read More

Biomedicines 2021 Apr 30;9(5). Epub 2021 Apr 30.

School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Pituitary adenomas are tumors that arise in the anterior pituitary gland. They are the third most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) tumors among adults. Most adenomas are benign and exert their effect via excess hormone secretion or mass effect. Read More

Ann Clin Lab Sci 2021 Mar;51(2):190-197

Department of Neurosurgery, TheFirst Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

Pituitary adenomas (PA) are neoplasms that arise predominantly in the adenohypophysis. They are generally divided into three categories depending on their biological behavior: benign adenomas, invasive adenomas, and carcinomas. They represent 10%-25% of all intracranial neoplasms, and their estimated prevalence in the general population is 17%. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Microsurgical resection of craniopharyngiomas poses significant challenges, which are amplified with tumors in the retrochiasmatic location and larger size. Traditional pterional trans-sylvian, subfrontal translamia terminalis, or interhemispheric approaches provide narrow surgical corridors with obstructed visualization of the tumor by the prefixed chiasm and slit optic carotid window.1-5 The superior extension of the tumor compressing the hypothalamus and third ventricle are likewise inaccessible. Read More

Arch Endocrinol Metab 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Endocrinologist, Practicing at Private Practice, Karaj, Iran.

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare syndrome of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine tumors. In this paper we present a 23-year-old Iranian woman with CNC who harbored a novel mutation (c.642dupT) in gene. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Neuromed Institute, IRCCS, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.

Purpose: Salivary gland (SG) tissue and derived neoplasms may occur in the sellar region. As the current literature is mostly limited to case reports, the puzzling case of an inflammatory SG removed by transsphenoidal surgery (TS) and mimicking a prolactinoma prompted us to perform the first systematic review of these unusual conditions.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Read More

Value Health 2021 May 18;24(5):744-752. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Medical School of Hanover, Hanover, Germany; r-connect ltd.

Objectives: Health technology assessments (HTA) rely on head-to-head comparisons. We searched for intraindividual comparisons (IIC) qualifying as head-to-head design to develop comparative evidence.

Methods: Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss (G-BA) appraisals between January 2011 and April 2020 were reviewed for inclusion of IIC. Read More

Acta Neuropathol 2021 Apr 30. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Department of Human Genetics OE 6300, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.

The genetic basis of brain tumor development is poorly understood. Here, leukocyte DNA of 21 patients from 15 families with ≥ 2 glioma cases each was analyzed by whole-genome or targeted sequencing. As a result, we identified two families with rare germline variants, p. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2021 Apr 23;13(9). Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00100 Roma, Italy.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) display variable aggressive behavior. A major predictor of survival is tumor grade based on the Ki67 proliferation index. As information on transcriptomic profiles of PanNETs with different tumor grades is limited, we investigated 29 PanNETs (17 G1, 7 G2, 5 G3) for their expression profiles, mutations in 16 PanNET relevant genes and LINE-1 DNA methylation profiles. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2021 Apr 23;13(9). Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands.

E2F-transcription factors activate many genes involved in cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Hence, E2F-dependent transcription must be tightly regulated to prevent tumorigenesis, and therefore metazoan cells possess multiple E2F regulation mechanisms. The best-known is the Retinoblastoma protein (RB), which is mutated in many cancers. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2021 Apr 10;13(8). Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy.

First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs), such as octreotide (OCT), represent the first-line medical therapy in acromegaly. Fg-SRLs show a preferential binding affinity for somatostatin receptor subtype-2 (SST), while the second-generation ligand, pasireotide (PAS), has high affinity for multiple SSTs (SST > SST > SST > SST). Whether PAS acts via SST in somatotroph tumors, or through other SSTs (e. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2021 Apr 3;13(7). Epub 2021 Apr 3.

National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), 80145 Naples, Italy.

In this Special Issue, a series of eight original research articles and six reviews have been collected to highlight the latest knowledge into molecular features, diagnosis and therapeutic targeting of pituitary tumors, one of the most frequent intracranial tumors and neuroendocrine neoplasms [... Read More

Brain Tumor Res Treat 2021 Apr;9(1):16-20

Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Hyponatremia is a common complication after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenomas. This study retrospectively reviewed various clinical factors of pituitary adenoma patients who underwent TSS and aimed to identify possible risk factors of postoperative hyponatremia.

Methods: Total 1,343 patients who underwent TSS for their pituitary adenomas in a single institution were enrolled to this study. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2021 Apr 29;15(1):207. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy is recommended for the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are associated with significant musculoskeletal adverse effects, likely through growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 modulation, while tamoxifen reduces insulin-like growth factor 1 production. We describe the case of a patient who was treated successfully with tamoxifen for her hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and acromegaly. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2021 Apr 28:1-12. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

The purpose of this article is to review the clinical manifestations, endocrine tumors types, and multimodality diagnostic tools available to physicians involved in the management of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome, in addition to discussing relevant imaging findings and appropriate imaging follow-up. Thorough knowledge of the spectrum of tumors associated with gene mutations aids in the screening, diagnostic workup, and posttreatment monitoring of patients with MEN-related gene mutations. Read More

Neuro Oncol 2021 Apr 28. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100070, China.

Background: Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are the second most common intracranial tumor. We lacked a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of these tumors.

Methods: We performed high-precision single-cell RNA sequencing for 2,679 individual cells obtained from 23 surgically resected samples of the major subtypes of PitNETs from 21 patients. Read More

Semin Cancer Biol 2021 Apr 24. Epub 2021 Apr 24.

ENETS Neuroendocrine Tumor Centre of Excellence, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen University, Denmark. Electronic address:

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are relatively rare neoplasms with 6.4-times increasing age-adjusted annual incidence during the last four decades. NENs arise from neuroendocrine cells, which release hormones in response to neuronal stimuli and they are distributed into organs and tissues. Read More

Br J Neurosurg 2021 Apr 27:1-5. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Neurosurgery Shanghai Blue Cross Brain Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China.

The classification of pituitary tumors is frequently updated to optimize guidance for clinical treatment based on current knowledge. To date, the World Health Organization conducts periodic expert review consensus meetings and publishes the results. These include recommendations for the behavior of more aggressive, high Ki-67 index (>3%)pituitary. Read More

Br J Pharmacol 2021 Apr 26. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Sino-German Neuro-Oncology Molecular Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Background And Purpose: Dopamine agonists (DAs) targeting dopamine receptor D2 (D2R) have been used for decades in treating pituitary adenomas. There has been little clear evidence implicating the canonical G protein signaling as the mechanism by which D2R suppresses the growth of pituitary tumors. We hypothesize that β-arrestin2-dependent signaling is the molecular mechanism dictating D2R inhibitory effects on pituitary tumor growth. Read More

Am J Med Sci 2021 Apr 22. Epub 2021 Apr 22.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address:

Horm Metab Res 2021 May 20;53(5):319-325. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) may develop sporadically or in the context of hereditary syndromes. In patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), PNET is the leading cause of death. Our aim was to compare the mortality risk in sporadic and MEN1-related PNETs and identify high-risk populations. Read More

Pathologe 2021 May 20;42(3):333-351. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Institute für Pathologie und Neuropathologie, Universität Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.

The 2017 WHO classification of pituitary tumors is still based on structural analyses and expression of various pituitary hormones. Three innovations have to be considered: (1) The expression of pituitary transcription factors Pit‑1, T‑Pit and SF‑1. (2) The term "atypical adenoma" was replaced by "aggressive adenoma". Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 Apr 16. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.

Objective: In transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors, even dedicated instruments sometimes cannot readily reach the surgical fields and they interfere with the endoscope and other instruments, making instrumental manipulations difficult and often ineffective. To solve these problems, we invented a bendable ring curette to further improve maneuverability and accessibility.

Methods: The newly developed ring curette has a tip (14-mm long) that can bend spanning a range of 90°. Read More

Endocr Pathol 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.

Detailed analysis of cytodifferentiation and hormone production has classified pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) in a formal system that reflects the lineage differentiation of nontumorous adenohypophysial cells as well as subtypes of tumors that have predictive value. In addition, tumors composed of cells that lack terminal differentiation are well characterized. To comply with the proposal to create an overarching classification of neuroendocrine neoplasia, these tumors are now called PitNETs rather than adenomas. Read More

Cancer Genet 2021 Apr 4;256-257:36-39. Epub 2021 Apr 4.

Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. Electronic address:

World Neurosurg 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: The 2017 World Health Organization classification of pituitary adenomas identified the plurihormonal PIT-1-positive (PP1) adenoma as a distinct subtype. The reported data suggest that PP1 adenomas encompass the former class of silent subtype 3 (SS3) adenomas and might have an aggressive phenotype. In the present study, we summarized the current clinical data on PP1 and SS3 adenomas and compared the reported data with the data from a single institutional cohort. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021 Apr 16. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital/University Health Network, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada.

Background: Giant pituitary adenomas are characterized by their large size and potential to invade parasellar and suprasellar regions leading to visual decline and hypopituitarism. Thus, they remain a significant surgical challenge, and gross total removal is only achieved in the minority of cases.

Method: We aim to describe the key surgical steps for endoscopic extra-capsular resection of a giant pituitary adenoma with the aim of achieving complete tumor resection with description of the relevant surgical anatomy, indications and limitations. Read More