Eva C Coopmans1,2,3, Márta Korbonits1. 1. Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. 2. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Medicine, Endocrinology section, Pituitary Center Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Cente, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Most pituitary tumours occur sporadically without a genetically identifiable germline abnormality, a small but increasing proportion present with a genetic defect that predisposes to pituitary tumour development, either isolated (e.g., aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein, AIP) or as part of a tumour-predisposing syndrome (e.g., multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1, Carney complex, McCune-Albright syndrome or pituitary tumour and paraganglioma association). Genetic alterations in sporadic pituitary adenomas may include somatic mutations (e.g., GNAS, USP8). In this review, we take a practical approach: which genetic syndromes should be considered in case of different presentation, such as tumour type, family history, age of onset and additional clinical features of the patient. DESIGN: Review of the recent literature in the field of genetics of pituitary tumours. RESULTS: Genetic testing in the management of pituitary disease is recommended in a significant minority of the cases. Understanding the genetic basis of the disease helps to identify patients and at-risk family members, facilitates early diagnosis and therefore better long-term outcome and opens up new pathways leading to tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION: We provide a concise overview of the genetics of pituitary tumours and discuss the current challenges and implications of these genetic findings in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE: Most pituitary tumours occur sporadically without a genetically identifiable germline abnormality, a small but increasing proportion present with a genetic defect that predisposes to pituitary tumour development, either isolated (e.g., aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein, AIP) or as part of a tumour-predisposing syndrome (e.g., multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1, Carney complex, McCune-Albright syndrome or pituitary tumour and paraganglioma association). Genetic alterations in sporadic pituitary adenomas may include somatic mutations (e.g., GNAS, USP8). In this review, we take a practical approach: which genetic syndromes should be considered in case of different presentation, such as tumour type, family history, age of onset and additional clinical features of the patient. DESIGN: Review of the recent literature in the field of genetics of pituitary tumours. RESULTS: Genetic testing in the management of pituitary disease is recommended in a significant minority of the cases. Understanding the genetic basis of the disease helps to identify patients and at-risk family members, facilitates early diagnosis and therefore better long-term outcome and opens up new pathways leading to tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION: We provide a concise overview of the genetics of pituitary tumours and discuss the current challenges and implications of these genetic findings in clinical practice.
Authors: Leonor M Gaspar; Catarina I Gonçalves; Fernando Fonseca; Davide Carvalho; Luísa Cortez; Ana Palha; Inês F Barros; Ema Nobre; João S Duarte; Cláudia Amaral; Maria J Bugalho; Olinda Marques; Bernardo D Pereira; Manuel C Lemos Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2022-10-04 Impact factor: 6.208