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Potential role of type I interferons in the treatment of pituitary adenomas

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Abstract

Cytokines, particularly those endowed with pro-inflammatory properties, are known to influence the release of anterior pituitary hormones by a direct and indirect action at the level of pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Type I interferons (IFNs) represent a group of cytokines that act through a common receptor composed by two chains (IFNAR-1 and IFNAR-2). Several in vitro and in vivo studies underline the fact that type I IFNs are involved in the regulation of the immune-endocrine circuitry. Treatment with type I IFNs of patients affected by chronic viral hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and tumors influences the secretion of pituitary hormones. This article reviews the current knowledge about the effects of IFN-α and IFN-β on hypothalamic–pituitary function and describes the potential role of type I IFNs in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, University of Milan, Via Zucchi 18, Cusano Milanino, 20095, Milan, Italy

    Giovanni Vitale, Paola Maroni & Francesco Cavagnini

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Giovanni Vitale, Peter M. van Koetsveld, Steven W. J. Lamberts & Leo J. Hofland

  3. Experimental Pharmacology Unit, Experimental Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy

    Michele Caraglia & Monica Marra

  4. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, IRCCS, Milan, Italy

    Paola Maroni

  5. Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Annamaria Colao

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  1. Giovanni Vitale
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  2. Michele Caraglia
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Correspondence to Giovanni Vitale.

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Vitale, G., Caraglia, M., van Koetsveld, P.M. et al. Potential role of type I interferons in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 10, 125–133 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-008-9083-3

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