Expression Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 And Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor In Human Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenomas:Correlation With Invasiveness And Recurrence

Objective:To investigate the expression levels of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor(IGF-1R) in human non-functioning pituitary adenomas and their relationships with tumor invasion and recurrence in these cases.Methods:Sixty specimens of non-functioning pituitary adenomas were classified into invasive recurrent groups 、invasive non-recurrent groups and non-invasive non-recurrent invasive groups. The protein and mRNA expression levels of IGF-1、IGF-1R and VEGF, the downstream molecule of IGF-1R associated signaling pathway, were detected using immunohistochemistry assay, western blot assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively.Results:The mRNA expression levels of IGF-1 and IGF-1R and the protein expression levels of IGF-1、IGF-1R and VEGF were significantly higher in invasive non-recurrent group than in non-invasive non-recurrent group (P<0.05), and in invasive recurrent groups than in invasive non-recurrent group (P<0.05).The correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between IGF-land IGF-1R (P<0.05), IGF-1R and VEGF (P<0.05),in invasive recurrent groups and in invasive non-recurrent group. in non-invasive non-recurrent group, IGF-1 were positively correlated with IGF-1R(P<0.05) and IGF-1R were not correlated with VEGF(P> 0.05).Conclusion:The increased expressions of IGF-1、IGF-1R and VEGF are associated with the invasiveness and recurrence of non-functioning pituitary adenomas.They may play a synergetic role in the invasive growth and recurrence of the tumor.