Relationship between the expression of folate receptor alpha in pituitary adenomas and part of the clinical indicators

Abstract

Objective To study the expression and significance of folate receptor (FR) α in pituitary adenomas in order to provide a theoretical basis for targeting the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary adenomas. Methods RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of FRα in pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissue, and the relationship between the FRα expression and part of the clinical indicators were studied. Results Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that the mRNA expression level of FRα in nonfunctioning (NF) pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than that of pituitary adenomas with endocrine function and normal pituitary tissue (P 0.05). Conclusions The expression of FRα in NF pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than that in pituitary adenomas with endocrine function and normal pituitary tissue, and it might be associated with the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas. This provided a certain research foundation for NF adenomas in future molecular targeted diagnosis and treatment. Key words: Folic acid; Pituitary neoplasms; Neoplasm invasiveness; Molecular targeted therapy