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Targets for pituitary tumor therapy

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Insights into Receptor Function and New Drug Development Targets

Part of the book series: Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions ((RPEI))

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Summary

Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying pituitary tumorigenesis will allow identification of novel targets for therapy for these common but often incurable tumors. Pituitary tumor initiation and progression are associated with multiple and acquired disorders. The pituitary gland responds to central and peripheral signals by undergoing reversible hormonal secretory changes and plastic cell growth changes. Underlying pituitary hyperplasia, with or without excess hormone production, or, in contrast, involution or hyposecretion in pituitary cells correlates with pituitary tumor development. Transgenic mouse models of tumor suppressor gene inactivation lead largely to the development of intermediate lobe tumors whereas pituitary-directed growth factor activation predisposes to anterior pituitary tumor development. Results of pituitary-directed pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) inactivation or over-expression support the notion that the trophic environment is permissive for pituitary tumor formation. Understanding the mechanisms underlying pituitary plasticity and their relationship to tumor development will provide subcellular targets for treating both the development and growth of these tumors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Room 2015, Los Angeles, CA, 90048

    Shlomo Melmed

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  1. Shlomo Melmed
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Divisions of Neuroscience and Reproductive Biology, Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon, 97006, USA

    Michael Conn Ph.D.

  2. Institut Necker, 156, rue de Vaugirard, 75015, Paris, France

    Claude Kordon Ph.D.

  3. Pour la Recherche Thérapeutique, Fondation IPSEN, 24, rue Erlanger, 75781, Paris Cedex 16, France

    Yves Christen Ph.D.

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© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Melmed, S. (2006). Targets for pituitary tumor therapy. In: Conn, M., Kordon, C., Christen, Y. (eds) Insights into Receptor Function and New Drug Development Targets. Research and Perspectives in Endocrine Interactions. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-34447-0_12

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