Rare sellar region tumors

We present three cases of rare intracranial midline tumor in the sellar region, often mimicking pituitary adenomas clinically. We describe their symptoms, radiological and pathomorphological features. The first case is a pituitary adenoma producing growth hormone with ganglion cell differentiation. In addition, a rare intracranial granular cell tumor of sellar region and germinoma of pituitary fossa are also presented. All tumors were resected and histologically analyzed. Their biological behaviour was favorable with a 10-year follow-up demonstrating no recurrent tumor mass.     

Role of prolactin receptor and CD25 in protection of circulating T lymphocytes from apoptosis in patients with breast cancer

Prolactin (PRL) has been reported to inhibit apoptosis in various cell types and to serve as a cofactor in the upregulation of CD25 on T cells during activation. We investigated a possible relation between prolactin receptor (PRL-R) or IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha, CD25) expression on circulating T lymphocytes and their apoptosis in patients with breast cancer. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 25 patients, 25 normal controls (NC) and three cord blood samples were evaluated for Annexin V binding and expression of CD95, CD25, and PRL-R on CD3(+) T cells by multicolour flow cytometry. Plasma levels of PRL, sCD95L, and sIL-2R were determined in patients and controls and related to T-cell apoptosis. The ability of PRL to protect T cells from apoptosis induced by various agents was also studied. Expression of PRL-R on the surface of T cells was comparable in patients with breast cancer and NC, but PRL plasma levels in patients were significantly lower (P<0.05). In patients, 18+/-11% (mean+/-s.d.) of CD3(+) cells bound Annexin V, compared to 9+/-6% in NC (P<0.0004). Percentages of CD3(+)Fas(+) and CD3(+)CD25(+) cells were higher in the peripheral circulation of patients than NC (P<0.0001 and <0.04, respectively). Levels of sFasL were lowest in plasma of the patients with the highest proportions of CD3(+)Fas(+) T cells. Most T cells undergoing apoptosis were CD3(+)CD25(-) in patients, and the proportion of CD3(+)CD25(-) Annexin V(+) cells was significantly increased in patients compared to NC (P<0.006). Ex vivo PRL protected T cells from starvation-induced or anti-CD3Ab-induced but not from Fas/FasL-dependent apoptosis. These results indicate that expression of CD25 but not of PRL-R on the surface of activated T lymphocytes appears to be involved in modulating Fas/Fas - ligand interactions, which are, in part, responsible for apoptosis of T lymphocytes and excessive turnover of immune cells in the circulation of patients with breast cancer.     

神经内镜下经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术中脑脊液鼻漏修补方法的探讨

目的:探讨神经内镜下经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术中脑脊液鼻漏的有效修补方法。方法:回顾性分析2014年6月至2016年6月神经内镜下修补经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术中发生的脑脊液鼻漏的患者20例,术中所采用的修补方法为自体组织“三明治法”结合筛骨垂直板液性骨粉,即自体脂肪、阔筋膜和肌浆结合筛骨垂直板液性骨粉进行修补,人工硬脑膜贴附,碘仿纱条支撑鞍底,术后预防造成颅内压升高的因素。结果:19例患者均一次性修补成功,治愈率为95.0%,无继发性颅内感染发生,1例患者二次修补后治愈。术后随访3～24个月,未见脑脊液鼻漏复发。结论:对于经鼻蝶入路垂体瘤切除术中发生的脑脊液鼻漏,采用“三明治法”结合筛骨垂直板液性骨粉修补的方法具有便捷、确实、高效的优点,合理使用多种不同组织来源的自体修补材料可提高手术的成功率,减少颅内感染的发生率。     

Expression of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c-Met in human pituitary adenomas

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met have been known as key determinants of growth and angiogenesis in some brain tumors like gliomas, meningiomas, and schwannomas. But little is known about their expression in pituitary adenomas. In this study, the expression of HGF and c-Met in pituitary adenomas of different histology types was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and correlative analysis of their expression with microvessel density (MVD), Ki-67 expression, and other clinicopathologic factors was made. The results showed that the expression of HGF and c-Met exists in 98% (64 of 65) and 92% (60 of 65) pituitary adenomas, respectively, and co-expression of them existed in 91% (59 of 65) adenomas. HGF had significant correlation with MVD (Spearman''s correlation coefficient, r = .31, P = .01) and Ki-67 (r = .32, P = .01). c-Met had significant correlation with MVD (r = .30, P = .02) and Ki-67 (r = .38, P = .00). HGF and c-Met expression had no significant correlation with age or extrasellar extension. There were no significant differences in HGF and c-Met expression between pituitary adenomas of different histology types. The results indicate that HGF and c-Met are widely expressed in pituitary adenomas, and their expression correlates with MVD and Ki-67 expression.     

垂体肿瘤转化基因与恶性肿瘤

垂体肿瘤转化基因 (PTTG)的高表达在促进细胞增殖、转化及肿瘤发生中具有十分重要的作用 ,c myc在调节DAN合成、细胞凋亡及分化中起重要的作用。研究表明 ,PTTG和c myc的过度表达参与了肿瘤的发生和发展 ,是导致细胞恶性转化的重要因素     

经口鼻蝶窦入路的垂体腺瘤切除术

15例垂体腺瘤采用经口鼻蝶窦入路,结合X线电视控制及显微手术治疗,无1例死亡,随访结果良好。本技术具有以下优点:①经颅外入路很快达到蝶鞍;②无须颅内手术操作,方法完全;③无可见的手术瘢痕,病人对手术有良好耐受性。     

Genetics of Cushing's disease

Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare disabling condition caused by Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)‐secreting adenomas of the pituitary. The majority of corticotropic adenomas are monoclonal and occur sporadically. Only rarely does CD arise in the context of genetic familial syndromes. Targeted sequencing of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes commonly mutated in other tumours did not identify recurrent mutations. In contrast, next generation sequencing allowed us recently to clarify the genetic basis of CD: we identified somatic driver mutations in the ubiquitin‐specific protease 8 (USP8) gene in a significant portion of corticotropinomas. These mutations represent a novel and unique mechanism leading to ACTH excess. Inhibition of USP8 or its downstream signalling pathways could represent a new therapeutic approach for the management of CD. In this review, we will focus on this new evidence and its implication for clinical care of affected patients.