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Abstract:
KISS1 is a metastasis suppressor gene involved in cancer biology. Given
the high expression levels of KISS1 and KISS1R in the hypothalamus and
the pituitary respectively, we hypothesized that this system could
possibly affect tumor invasiveness and clinical behavior of pituitary
tumors.
Expression levels of KISS1 and KISS1R mRNA were evaluated by RT-PCR.
Clinical information pertaining tumor characteristics was extracted from
patients' charts.
Tumors from 39 patients (21 females, mean age 47.5 years) were examined.
KISS1R was expressed in 26 (67 %) of samples (94 % of NFPA, 42 % of GH-,
67 % of ACTH-, and 25 % of PRL-secreting adenomas) and was found more
often in female patients (81 vs. 50 % males, p < 0.05); and in NFPA (94
vs. 45.5 % in secreting tumors; p = 0.003). Patients expressing KISS1R
were older at presentation (50.5 +/- A 1.4 vs. 38.1 +/- A 1.3 years; p =
0.008). In the multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated
with KISS1R expression included female gender (OR 13.8, 95 % CI
1.22-155.9; p = 0.03) and having a NFPA (OR 24.7, 95 % CI 1.50-406.4; p
= 0.02). Tumor size, invasiveness and age at presentation were not
independently associated with KISS1R expression. Pituitary tumors and
normal pituitary were negative for KISS1 mRNA expression.
The majority of human NFPA expressed KISS1R with lower rates of
expression in other types of pituitary tumors. KISS1R expression did not
impart a clinical beneficial tumor phenotype, as it was not associated
with tumor size or invasiveness. Additional studies are required to
elucidate the role of KISS1 receptor in pituitary gland physiology and
pathology.
