Folate receptor-mediated boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles as potential delivery vehicles for boron neutron capture therapy of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas

Invasive nonfunctional pituitary adenomas （NFPAs） are difficult to completely resect and often develop tumor recurrence after initial surgery. Currently, no medications are clinically effective in the control of NFPA. Although radiation therapy and radiosurgery are useful to prevent tumor regrowth, they are frequently withheld because of severe complications. Boron neutron capture therapy （BNCT） is a binary radiotherapy that selectively and maximally damages tumor cells without harming the surrounding normal tissue. Folate receptor （FR）-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles is a novel boron delivery agent that can be selectively taken up by FR-expressing cells via FR-mediated endocytosis. In this study, FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles were selectively taken up by NFPAs cells expressing FR but not other types of non-FR expressing pituitary adenomas. After incubation with boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles and following irradiation with thermal neutrons, the cell viability of NFPAs was significantly decreased, while apoptotic cells were simultaneously increased. However, cells administered the same dose of FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles without neutron irradiation or received the same neutron irradiation alone did not show significant decrease in cell viability or increase in apoptotic cells. The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated and the expression of Bax was up-regulated in NFPAs after treatment with FR-mediated BNCT. In conclusion, FR-targeted boron-10 containing carbon nanoparticles may be an ideal delivery system of boron to NFPAs ceils for BNCT. Furthermore, our study also provides a novel insight into therapeutic strategies for invasive NFPA refractory to conventional therapy, while exploring these new applications of BNCT for tumors, especially benign tumors.

Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery for Clinically Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenomas

Background: Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are the most frequent pituitary macroadenomas, and represent approximately one-third of all pituitary adenomas. Patients often present with symptoms of mass effects, such as visual field defects, chronic headache, and hypopituitarism. Objective: The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyze the surgical results of 35 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) operated by the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA). Surgical outcomes including postoperative complications, recurrence and the postoperative visual and endocrine profile were assessed. Results: This retrospective study included 35 patients operated for clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) in Al Azhar university hospitals treated by endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) in the last 6 years. 65.7% (n = 23) were male and 34.3% (n = 12) were female. The mean age was 41.5 (range 18 - 65) years. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, with 60% of the patients having headache. Visual disturbances were the presenting symptom in 82.9% patients and endocrinological problems (panhypopituitarism) were present in 6 (17.1%) patients. The number of patients suffering from cranial nerve deficit was 2 (5.7%). Visual acuity and visual field improved in 23 (79.3%) of 29 patients. The rate of tumor recurrence/regrowth was higher in the case of giant adenomas and cavernous sinus invasion represented 11 patients (31.4%). Conclusions: Early endoscopic endonasal approach surgery of NFPAs and effective surgical decompression reduces morbidity. Visual deficit improves in two third of cases. NFPAs represent high rate of recurrence due to invasion or incomplete resection especially with giant adenomas. The recurrence rate with growth total resection (GTR) is lower than subtotal resection (STR).

The changes of preoperative bone mineral density of patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenoma

Objective To evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) alteration of patients with nonfunctional pituitary adenoma in Chinese mainland and further to investigate the relevant factors of BMD changes. Methods 31 patients with nonfunctional adenoma and 255 healthy controls were enrolled in this study between December 2007 and May 2008.