Relationship of PTTG, bFGF, P53 expressions with invasiveness of pituitary adenoma

Objective To explore the relationship between mRNA and protein expressions of PTTG, bFGF, P53 with tumorigenesis and invasiveness of pituitary adenoma. Methods The protein expressions of PTTG, bFGF, P53 were detected by immunohistochemical analysis, and their mRNA expressions were by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 63 specimens of pituitary adenoma that was classified into invasive and non-invasive according to Wilson’s modified staging. Results Thirty-four specimens of pituitary adenoma were invasive and 29 non-invasive. The expressions of PTTG, bFGF, P53 were significantly higher in invasive pituitary adenoma than in non-invasive. The analysis of correlation showed that in invasive pituitary adenoma, the positive correlation exists between PTTG and bFGF mRNA (r=0.81, P0.01), between bFGF and P53 mRNA (r=0.62, P0.01), between PTTG and P53 mRNA (r=0.69, P0.01). Conclusion High expressions of PTTG, bFGF, P53 in invasive pituitary adenoma lead to the tumor cell proliferation and upregulate tumor angiogenesis. High expressions of PTTG, bFGF, P53 may play important roles in the tumorigenesis and invasiveness of pituitary adenoma, and they can be useful markers in determining invasive behavior of pituitary adenoma.