Pituitary tumours are usually benign neoplasia, but may have a locally aggressive or malignant evolution. This study aimed to identify factors which mostly influence their proliferative activity, in order to clarify its value for clinical and research purposes. The proliferative index was determined in a prospective series of 132 pituitary tumours as the percentage of monoclonal antibody MIB-1-immunopositive cells and referred to as the MIB-1 labelling index (LI). Its distribution was analysed according to both univariate and multivariate models. A life-threatening pituitary tumour is presented separately. The mean LI was 1.24+/-1.59%, with significant differences between clinically secreting (CS) and clinically non-secreting (CNS) adenomas. In CS adenomas (n=65), LI was highly variable and markedly influenced by pre-operative pharmacological treatment (0.80+/-1.03 vs 2.06+/-2.39% in treated vs untreated cases, P=0.009); it decreased with patient's age (P=0.025, r=0.28) and increased with tumour volume and invasiveness. The influence of pre-operative treatment and macroscopic features on LI in this group was confirmed by multivariate analysis. In CNS adenomas (n=67), LI distribution was less variable than in CS adenomas (P<0.0001), it was age-independent and correlations with tumour volume, invasiveness or recurrence did not reach significance. In a rapidly growing parasellar tumour, the mean LI was 24% at first surgery and exceeded 50% at second surgery performed 4 months later. LI should be interpreted according to hormone secretion and pre-operative treatment. Unusually high LI values deserve particular attention.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.-L. Jaffrain-Rea, M. Angelini, D. Gargano, M. A Tichomirowa, A. F Daly, J.-F. Vanbellinghen, E. D'Innocenzo, A. Barlier, F. Giangaspero, V. Esposito, et al. Expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and AHR-interacting protein in pituitary adenomas: pathological and clinical implications Endocr. Relat. Cancer, September 1, 2009; 16(3): 1029 - 1043. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wierinckx, C. Auger, P. Devauchelle, A. Reynaud, P. Chevallier, M. Jan, G. Perrin, M. Fevre-Montange, C. Rey, D. Figarella-Branger, et al. A diagnostic marker set for invasion, proliferation, and aggressiveness of prolactin pituitary tumors Endocr. Relat. Cancer, September 1, 2007; 14(3): 887 - 900. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Fratticci, F A Grieco, C Spilioti, F Giangaspero, L Ventura, V Esposito, M Piccirilli, A Santoro, A Gulino, G Cantore, et al. Differential expression of neurogenins and NeuroD1 in human pituitary tumours J. Endocrinol., September 1, 2007; 194(3): 475 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Minniti, V. Esposito, M. Piccirilli, A. Fratticci, A. Santoro, and M.-L. Jaffrain-Rea Diagnosis and management of pituitary tumours in the elderly: a review based on personal experience and evidence of literature Eur. J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2005; 153(6): 723 - 735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G M Besser, P Burman, and A F Daly Predictors and rates of treatment-resistant tumor growth in acromegaly Eur. J. Endocrinol., August 1, 2005; 153(2): 187 - 193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Kaltsas, P. Nomikos, G. Kontogeorgos, M. Buchfelder, and A. B. Grossman Diagnosis and Management of Pituitary Carcinomas J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 3089 - 3099. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]