The role of the GH/IGF system in pituitary tumorigenesis.

Abstract

Pituitary adenomas are mostly benign tumours that originate from differentiated anterior pituitary cells. Altered expression of growth factors or their receptors could enhance clonal expansion of pituitary adenoma cells. GHRH overstimulation or an activating point mutation in the Gs a-subunit leads to increased GH secretion and tumour formation. In contrast, IGF-I suppresses basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion in pituitary adenoma cells, whereas prolactin secretion is unaffected. Somatostatin analogues and pegvisomant, a novel growth hormone-receptor antagonist, results in a reduction of serum IGF-I levels and clinical improvement in patients suffering from pituitary adenoma. Thus, this review focuses on the role of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor system in pituitary tumorigenesis with particular focus on the genetic alterations described in pituitary adenomas up to now.

• Authors: W Zumkeller
• Journal: Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme (Horm Metab Res) 2003 Nov-Dec Vol. 35 Issue 11-12 Pg. 664-6 ISSN: 0018-5043 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 14710344 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Somatomedins
• Human Growth Hormone

Topics

• Adenoma (physiopathology)
• Human Growth Hormone (physiology)
• Humans
• Pituitary Neoplasms (pathology, physiopathology)
• Somatomedins (physiology)