Associations of endocan, fgf2, and pdgf expression with pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (pitnet) invasiveness

About 6-17% of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are invasive. Cavernous sinus invasion complicates neurosurgery, making total tumor resection impossible and leading to high recurrence postoperatively. This study detected Endocan, FGF2, and PDGF to examine the associations of these angiogenic factors with the invasiveness of PitNETs and to identify novel therapeutic targets in PitNETs.Endocan mRNA amounts (qRT-PCR) in 29 human PitNET specimens obtained after surgery were assessed alongside clinical parameters (PitNET lineage, sex, age, and imaging data). In addition, qRT-PCR was used to determine the gene expression of other angiogenic markers (FGF-2 and PDGF).Endocan was positively associated with PitNET invasiveness. Endocan expressing specimens had elevated FGF2 amounts, and FGF2 and PDGF were negatively correlated.A complex but precise balance was found among Endocan, FGF2, and PDGF in pituitary tumorigenesis. High Endocan and FGF2 and low PDGF expression levels in invasive PitNETs show Endocan and FGF2 could be novel treatment targets in invasive PitNET.