Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Survivin is a multifunctional protein and acts as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Its expression occurs in nearly all human cancers. In some tumors survivin expression correlates with the malignant behavior and diminished response to cytotoxic therapy. Data concerning survivin expression in invasive pituitary gland adenomas are contradictory.

Patients and methods: Survivin expression was assessed in 38 invasive pituitary gland adenomas (31 non-functioning tumours, seven somatotroph adenomas) with a diameter exceeding 20 mm, removed during transsphenoidal surgery. 12 control samples of normal pituitary tissue were obtained post-mortem. Tumour size was assessed by preoperative MRI scan. Amplification of survivin gene using sequence specific primers and qRT-PCR method was performed.

Results: The mean age of patients was 54±14 years. The mean tumour size was 33.8 mm±7.8 mm (Min. 20 mm, and Max. 55 mm). Survivin expression was found in 31 out of 38 tumours and in ten out of 12 control samples. There was no difference between the level of survivin expression in pituitary adenomas and in normal pituitary tissue samples.

Conclusions: Survivin expression in invasive pituitary adenomas varies greatly. Our results suggest that survivin expression in invasive pituitary adenomas is comparable to healthy tissue. Since considerable effort has been made in recent years to explore new therapeutic options based on survivin counteracting chemicals, its potential role in pituitary adenomas needs further evaluation.