Genetic and metabolic characteristics of familial isolated pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) – a relatively new term for the disease, which is characterized by an autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance, resulting in the development of pituitary tumors with no distinguishing features other endocrine diseases or syndromes, such as, for example, the syndrome multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1 syndrome) or the Carney complex. FIPA-families account for about 2% of all cases of pituitary adenomas. Among the FIPA-family about 15–20% have mutations in the gene encoding the protein aryl hydrocarbon receptor. This suppressor gene located on the long arm of chromosome 11. Etiological gene for the rest of the greater percentage of FIPA-family is still unknown. Germline mutations in the AIP gene have also been found in patients with early development of pituitary adenomas, mainly secreting growth hormone, much rarely – prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone without a clear family history. Such cases are called "simple". Somatic mutations of the AIP gene in pituitary tumors or other sites has not yet been described