Prognostic significance of imaging contrast enhancement for WHO grade II gliomas.

In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of MRI contrast enhancement (CE) at the time of histological diagnosis specifically in a selected population of WHO grade II gliomas. We reviewed 927 histologically proven WHO grade II gliomas for which contrast-enhanced MR images were available at the time of histological diagnosis. CE patterns were classified into three categories: "patchy and faint," "nodular-like," and "ring-like." CE progression over time was recorded before oncological treatment on successive MR images, when available. CE was present in 143 cases (15.9%), with 93 patchy and faint, 50 nodular-like, and no ring-like patterns. CE areas were time progressive before oncological treatment in 35 of the 56 available cases (62.5%). Regardless of its pattern, the presence of CE was not significantly associated with a worsened prognosis (p = 0.415) by univariate analysis. Only the nodular-like pattern of CE (p < 0.01) and the time-progressive CE (p < 0.001) in the available subgroup proved to be statistically associated with survival since first oncological treatment. The present results show the necessity, in cases of WHO grade II gliomas, to study CE at the time of histological diagnosis and, whenever possible, to follow its progression over time before oncological treatment. Nodular-like CE and time-progressive CE are associated with a worsened prognosis, both suggesting malignant transformation, even though histopathological examination cannot initially disclose signs of malignancy in those areas.

BAC array CGH distinguishes mutually exclusive alterations that define clinicogenetic subtypes of gliomas.

The pathological classification of gliomas constitutes a critical step of the clinical management of patients, yet it is frequently challenging. To assess the relationship between genetic abnormalities and clinicopathological characteristics, we have performed a genetic and clinical analysis of a series of gliomas. A total of 112 gliomas were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization on a BAC array with a 1 megabase resolution. Altered regions were identified and correlation analysis enabled to retrieve significant associations and exclusions. Whole chromosomes (chrs) 1p and 19q losses with centromeric breakpoints and EGFR high level amplification were found to be mutually exclusive, permitting identification of 3 distinct, nonoverlapping groups of tumors with striking clinicopathological differences. Type A tumors with chrs 1p and 19q co-deletion exhibited an oligodendroglial phenotype and a longer patient survival. Type B tumors were characterized by EGFR amplification. They harbored a WHO high grade of malignancy and a short patient survival. Finally, type C tumors displayed none of the previous patterns but the presence of chr 7 gain, chr 9p deletion and/or chr 10 loss. It included astrocytic tumors in patients younger than in type B and whose prognosis was highly dependent upon the number of alterations. A multivariate analysis based on a Cox model shows that age, WHO grade and genomic type provide complementary prognostic informations. Finally, our results highlight the potential of a whole-genome analysis as an additional diagnostic in cases of unclear conventional genetic findings.

Gene amplification is a poor prognostic factor in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.

Various gene amplifications have been observed in gliomas. Prognostic-genomic correlations testing simultaneously all these amplified genes have never been conducted in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. A set of 38 genes that have been reported to be amplified in gliomas and investigated as the main targets of amplicons were studied in a series of 52 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas using bacterial artificial chromosome-array based comparative genomic hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Among the 38 target genes, 15 were found to be amplified in at least one tumor. Overall, 27% of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas exhibited at least one gene amplification. The most frequently amplified genes were epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/sarcoma amplified sequence (CDK4/SAS) in 17% and 8% of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, respectively. Gene amplification and codeletion of chromosome arms 1p/19q were perfectly exclusive (p = 0.005). In uni- and multivariate analyses, gene amplification was a negative prognostic factor for progression-free survival and overall survival in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, providing complementary information to the classic prognostic factors identified in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (extent of surgery, KPS, and chromosome arms 1p/19q status).

Pituitary tumors and hyperplasia in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1): a case-control study in a series of 77 patients versus 2509 non-MEN1 patients.

Patients affected by the multiple endocrine neoplasia type I syndrome (MEN1) display a high incidence of pituitary adenomas, though it is still unknown whether these pituitary tumors have specific pathologic features that would distinguish them from sporadic pituitary adenomas. Pituitary tissue specimens of 77 MEN1 patients from the GTE (Groupe d'étude des Tumeurs Endocrines) register were compared with unselected 2509 non-MEN1 sporadic pituitary tumors and also to a control subgroup of 296 cases, where 1 MEN1 tumor was matched with 4 sporadic tumors of the same hormonal immunoprofile. Sex, age, size, and invasiveness of tumors, and menin gene mutations were documented. Histologic analysis took into account 33 items, including immunocytochemical data, the proliferative marker Ki-67, and an examination of the juxtatumoral pituitary. MEN1 tumors were significantly larger and more often invasive by histology. MEN1 patients with large pituitary tumors (grade IV) were younger than non-MEN1 patients. MEN1 tumors had no other characteristic histologic features and no predominance of any one hormone producing subtype. However, plurihormonal adenomas versus monohormonal and nonimmunoreactive adenomas were more frequent in MEN1 tumors (39%) than in the control non-MEN1 group (P = 0.001). Especially, the growth hormone and prolactin plurihormonality with unusual association with follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or adrenocorticotropic hormone was more frequent in MEN1 tumors. In addition, multiple adenomas were significantly more frequent (4% vs. 0.1%; P < 0.0001), especially prolactin-adrenocorticotropic hormone. Somatotroph hyperplasia, with or without a microadenoma was found in only 3 MEN1 patients, with growth hormone-releasing hormone hypersecretion by a pancreatic tumor in 2 of them. All types of mutation were observed, including frameshifts, nonsenses, missenses, and 1 case of germline MEN1 encompassing large deletion, strongly suggesting the absence of any phenotype-genotype correlation.

Corticotroph tumor progression after adrenalectomy in Cushing's Disease: A reappraisal of Nelson's Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Adrenalectomy is a radical treatment for hypercortisolism in Cushing's disease. However, it may lead to Nelson's syndrome, originally defined by the association of a pituitary macroadenoma and high plasma ACTH concentrations, a much feared complication. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to reconsider Nelson's syndrome by investigating corticotroph tumor progression based on pituitary magnetic resonance imaging scan and search for predictive factors. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The complete medical records of Cushing's disease patients at Cochin Hospital were studied. PATIENTS: Patients included 53 Cushing's disease patients treated by adrenalectomy between 1991 and 2002, without previous pituitary irradiation. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical data, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging data, and plasma ACTH concentrations for all patients and pituitary gland pathology data for 25 patients were recorded. Corticotroph tumor progression-free survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier, and the influence of recorded parameters was studied by Cox regression. INTERVENTION: There was no intervention. RESULTS: Corticotroph tumor progression ultimately occurred in half the patients, generally within 3 yr after adrenalectomy. A shorter duration of Cushing's disease (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.884/yr), and a high plasma ACTH concentration in the year after adrenalectomy [adjusted hazard ratio per 100 pg/ml (22 pmol/liter): 1.069] were predictive of corticotroph tumor progression. In one case, corticotroph tumor progression was complicated by transitory oculomotor nerve palsy. During follow-up, corticotroph tumor progression was associated with the increase of corresponding ACTH concentrations (odds ratio per 100 pg/ml of ACTH variation: 1.055). CONCLUSION: After adrenalectomy in Cushing's disease, one should no longer wait for the occurrence of Nelson's syndrome: modern imaging allows early detection and management of corticotroph tumor progression.

In vivo transcranial brain surgery with an ultrasonic time reversal mirror.

OBJECT: High-intensity focused ultrasonography is known to induce controlled and selective noninvasive destruction of tissues by focusing ultrasonic beams within organs, like a magnifying glass concentrating enough sunlight to burn a hole in paper. Such a technique should be highly interesting for the treatment of deep-seated lesions in the brain. Nevertheless, ultrasonic tissue ablation in the brain has long been hampered by the defocusing effect of the skull bone. METHODS: In this in vivo study, the authors used a high-power time-reversal mirror specially designed for noninvasive ultrasonic brain treatment to induce thermal lesions through the skulls of 10 sheep. The sheep were divided into three groups and, depending on group, were killed 1, 2, or 3 weeks after treatment. The thermal lesions were confirmed based on findings of posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging and histological examinations. After treatment, the basic neurological functions of the animals were unchanged: the animals recovered from anesthesia without any abnormal delay and did not exhibit signs of paralysis or coma. No major behavioral change was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide striking evidence that noninvasive ultrasonographic brain surgery is feasible. Thus the authors offer a novel noninvasive method of performing local brain ablation in animals for behavioral studies. This technique may lead the way to noninvasive and nonionizing treatment of brain tumors and neurological disorders by selectively targeting intracranial lesions. Nevertheless, sheep do not represent a good functional model and extensive work will need to be conducted preferably on monkeys to investigate the effects of this treatment.

Ocular adnexal marginal zone B cell lymphoma: a clinical and pathologic study of 23 cases.

To better characterize ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MZL-MALT), we analyzed the clinical and pathologic features of 23 patients (11 men, 12 women, median age 66 years). The tumor was confined to one ocular structure in 18 cases (conjunctiva, n=8; orbit, n=8; or lacrimal gland, n=2). Concurrent extraorbital disease was detected by the staging procedure in five patients, and preferentially involved other MALT sites. Histogenetic B cell marker studies, available in 13 cases, showed an early post-germinal center (GC) phenotype (BCL-6(-)/IRF4(+)/CD138(-)) (n=5) or a late post-GC phenotype (BCL-6(-)/IRF4(+)/CD138(+)) (n=8), which could be helpful for discrimination from other types of small-B cell lymphoma. BCL10 was positive in 12 of 13 patients tested, with nuclear (n=4) or cytoplasmic (n=8) immunoreactivity. These staining patterns ruled out t(1;14)(p22;q32) translocation. T(11;18)(q21;q21), another MZL-MALT-specific translocation, was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in four of 15 patients tested. Clinical outcome was excellent but the overall relapse rate was 26.1% with a median follow-up of 39 months (range 6-132 months). Regardless of the disease stage at diagnosis, combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy seemed to be more effective than chemotherapy alone in ocular adnexal MZL-MALT, as persistent complete remission was achieved in nine patients receiving combination therapy, while six of 14 patients treated with chemotherapy alone relapsed.

Episodic nocturnal wandering in a patient with epilepsy due to a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma: relief following resection. Case report.

Although controversial, episodic nocturnal wandering (ENW) is thought to be a rare and atypical form of nocturnal epilepsy, originating in the frontal lobe and responsive to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The authors report the case of a patient harboring a right temporoinsular low-grade glioma, who presented with a 3-year history of agitated somnambulent episodes resistant to AEDs. Interestingly, the ENW totally resolved after tumor resection and the patient reported no recurrence during a follow-up period of 4.5 years. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of ENW due to a glioma; the findings support the theory that ENW may represent an unusual type of lesional epilepsy that is surgically correctable. Moreover, a temporoinsular origin of ENW can now be considered.

Distinct responses of xenografted gliomas to different alkylating agents are related to histology and genetic alterations.

A series of 12 human gliomas was established as xenografts in nude mice and used to evaluate the relationship between histology, genetic parameters, and response to alkylating agents. Eight were high-grade oligodendroglial tumors, and four were glioblastoma. They were characterized for their genetic alterations, including those considered as "early" alterations, namely loss of chromosome 1 +/- loss of chromosome 19q, TP53 mutation, and those considered as "late" alterations, namely loss of chromosome 10, loss of chromosome 9p, EGFR genomic amplification, PTEN mutation, CDKN2A homozygous deletion, and telomerase reactivation. Chemosensitivity of xenografts to four alkylating agents, temozolomide (42 mg/kg, days 1-5, p.o.), 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (5 mg/kg, day 1, i.p.), Ifosfamide (90 mg/kg, days 1-3, i.p.), and carboplatin (66 mg/kg, day 1, i.p.) was tested by administration of drugs to tumor-bearing mice. Although each tumor presented an individual response pattern, glioblastoma had a lower chemosensitivity than oligodendrogliomas, and temozolomide was the most effective drug. Deletion of 1p +/- 19q was associated with higher chemosensitivity, whereas late molecular alterations, particularly EGFR amplification, were associated with chemoresistance. These results suggest that the combined use of histology and molecular markers should eventually be helpful selecting the most appropriate agents for treatment of malignant oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas.

[Intramedullary lipomatous ependymoma: case report]. / Ependymome lipomateux intramédullaire.

A 51 year-old man was admitted to our hospital with poor general health and neurological disturbances with paresthesia, dysuria and defecation disorder. Neuroimaging showed a syringomyelia cyst from C1 to conus medullaris, together with a intramedullar tumoral mass in T6-T7. Histological examination of the surgical specimen led to the diagnosis of lipomatous ependymoma.

Spontaneous and therapeutic prognostic factors in adult hemispheric World Health Organization Grade II gliomas: a series of 1097 cases: clinical article.

OBJECT: The spontaneous prognostic factors and optimal therapeutic strategy for WHO Grade II gliomas (GIIGs) have yet to be unanimously defined. Specifically, the role of resection is still debated, most notably because the actual amount of resection has seldom been assessed. METHODS: Cases of GIIGs treated before December 2007 were extracted from a multicenter database retrospectively collected since January 1985 and prospectively collected since 1996. Inclusion criteria were a patient age ≥ 18 years at diagnosis, histological diagnosis of WHO GIIG, and MRI evaluation of tumor volume at diagnosis and after initial surgery. One thousand ninety-seven lesions were included in the analysis. The mean follow-up was 7.4 years since radiological diagnosis. Factors significant in a univariate analysis (with a p value ≤ 0.1) were included in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis. RESULTS: At the time of radiological diagnosis, independent spontaneous factors of a poor prognosis were an age ≥ 55 years, an impaired functional status, a tumor location in a nonfrontal area, and, most of all, a larger tumor size. When the study starting point was set at the time of first treatment, independent favorable prognostic factors were limited to a smaller tumor size, an epileptic symptomatology, and a greater extent of resection. CONCLUSIONS: This large series with its volumetric assessment refines the prognostic value of previously stressed clinical and radiological parameters and highlights the importance of tumor size and location. The results support additional arguments in favor of the predominant role of resection, in accordance with recently reported experiences.

Intracranial solitary fibrous tumor: imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: To study the neuroimaging features of intracranial solitary fibrous tumors (ISFTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of neuroimaging features of 9 consecutive histopathologically proven ISFT cases. Location, size, shape, density, signal intensity and gadolinium uptake were studied at CT and MRI. Data collected from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) (3 patients), perfusion imaging and MR spectroscopy (2 patients), and DSA (4 patients) were also analyzed. RESULTS: The tumors most frequently arose from the intracranial meninges (7/9), while the other lesions were intraventricular. Tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 10 cm (mean=6.6 cm). They presented multilobular shape in 6/9 patients. Most ISFTs were heterogeneous (7/9) with areas of low T2 signal intensity that strongly enhanced after gadolinium administration (6/8). Erosion of the skull was present in about half of the cases (4/9). Components with decreased apparent diffusion coefficient were seen in 2/3 ISFTs on DWI. Spectroscopy revealed elevated peaks of choline and myo-inositol. MR perfusion showed features of hyperperfusion. CONCLUSION: ISFT should be considered in cases of extra-axial, supratentorial, heterogeneous, hypervascular tumor. Areas of low T2 signal intensity that strongly enhance after gadolinium injection are suggestive of this diagnosis. Restricted diffusion and elevated peak of myo-inositol may be additional valuable features.

Factors predicting relapse of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas after neurosurgery: a study of 142 patients.

CONTEXT: Adequate postoperative management of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMAs) remains a challenge for the clinician. OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of NFMA relapse after initial surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 142 patients operated for an NFMA in two academic centers (CHU Bicêtre in France and UCL St Luc in Belgium). The rate of tumor relapse, defined as recurrence after total surgical resection or regrowth of a surgical remnant, as well as predictive factors was analyzed. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 6.9 years, 10 out of 42 patients (24%) who had complete macroscopic resection of their tumor had recurrence, and 47 out of 100 patients (47%) with a surgical remnant experienced regrowth. The overall relapse rates were 25, 43, and 61% at 5, 10, and 15 years respectively. Invasion of the cavernous sinus, absence of immediate radiotherapy after the first neurosurgery, and immunohistochemical features of the tumor (mainly positive immunostaining for several hormones or for hormones other than gonadotropins) were independent risk factors for tumor relapse. Incomplete excision was only associated with relapse when invasion was withdrawn from the analysis, suggesting that these two factors are closely linked. CONCLUSION: NFMAs frequently recur/regrow after initial surgery, particularly when tumor is invasive, precluding complete removal. Immunohistochemical features such as positive immunostaining for several hormones or for hormones other than gonadotropins could help to predict undesirable outcomes.

Expression of TLR9 within human glioblastoma.

Immunostimulating oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) have shown promising antitumor activity in preclinical glioma models. CpG motifs are specifically recognized by the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), mainly expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and B cells. Expression of TLR9 within human glioma samples has not been investigated. As CpG-ODN is currently under clinical trials in glioma patients, we investigated whether TLR9 is expressed at the RNA levels in a series of 37 human glioblastomas (GBM) by quantitative PCR. TLR9 expression was detected at variable levels, which might suggest that some patients are more likely to benefit from treatment with CpG-ODN than others. No significant relationships between TLR9 expression and age, sex, tumor location, lymphocytes infiltration, oligodendroglial components or survival were found. TLR9 is unlikely to be expressed by tumor cells as no TLR9 expression was detected in pure human GBM xenografts. Immunocytochemistry studies showed TLR9 expression in some macrophages/microglial cells. The expression of TLR9 within human GBM strengthens the rationale for the utilization of CpG-ODN in this disease.

Tumor genomic profiling and TP53 germline mutation analysis of first-degree relative familial gliomas.

About 5% of gliomas occur in a familial context, which suggests a genetic origin, but the predisposing molecular factors remain unknown in most cases. A series of nine familial gliomas were characterized with 1-megabase resolution BAC array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) together with germline sequence analysis of TP53. This series was compared with a literature series of familial gliomas and a personal series of sporadic gliomas, analyzed by chromosome CGH and aCGH, respectively. No significant difference was noted between the three populations in terms of clinical characteristics, pathologic features, and the most frequent chromosomal alterations, including loss of 1p, 10p, 10q, 13q, and 19q, and gain of 7p, 7q, 16p, 18q, 19p, 19q, 20p, and 22q. However, a genomic region located in 6q was more frequently gained in our series of familial as compared to sporadic gliomas (P=0.028). A germline TP53 mutation was observed in 1/9 cases, which suggests Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Interestingly, the Pro allele in the codon 72 of TP53 was observed in 5/9 tumors. Although familial and sporadic gliomas share very similar cytogenetic quantitative patterns, aCGH is a promising technique for the detection of small genomic differences of potential significance.

Dynamic history of low-grade gliomas before and after temozolomide treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the natural progression and the impact of temozolomide in low-grade gliomas and to correlate these changes with the profile of genetic alterations. METHODS: The mean tumor diameter (MTD) of low-grade gliomas was evaluated on serial magnetic resonance images before (n = 39), during, and after (n = 107) treatment with neoadjuvant temozolomide. MTD growth curves were correlated with chromosomes 1p-19q loss and p53 overexpression in the tumors. RESULTS: Before temozolomide onset, MTD increased linearly over time, indicating a continuous growth that was significantly slower in 1p-19q deleted tumors (3.4 vs 5.9mm/year; p = 0.0016) and in tumors that did not overexpress p53 (4.2 vs 6.3mm/year; p = 0.05). During temozolomide treatment, almost all patients (92%) experienced initial decrease of MTD. Subsequently, some tumors started to resume growth despite continuous administration of temozolomide, with a lower rate of relapse in 1p-19q deleted tumors (16.6 vs 58%; p = 0.0004) and in tumors that did not overexpress p53 (26 vs 68%; p = 0.003). When temozolomide was discontinued in the absence of tumor progression, a majority of tumors resumed their progressive growth within a year. INTERPRETATION: Untreated low-grade gliomas grow continuously at a rate that is influenced by the genetic alterations of the tumors. Temozolomide reverses this pattern at the onset, but this effect is often brief in patients whose tumors overexpress p53 and do not harbor the 1p-19q codeletion, suggesting acquired chemoresistance. A majority of tumors will resume their growth when treatment is discontinued, raising the issue of the optimal duration of treatment in continuously responding patients.

Survivin expression in ganglioglioma.

Gangliogliomas are unusual central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms occurring mainly in children and young adults and inducing chronic pharmacoresistant epilepsy. These are usually well differentiated neuroepithelial tumors composed of neurons in association with neoplastic glial cells. Gangliogliomas present with favorable outcome. However, some may recur and/or progress to anaplasia and be associated with a dismal prognosis. Since histopathological features do not consistently correlate with clinical outcome, reliable prognostic factors have yet to be defined in gangliogliomas. Survivin is an anti-apoptotic protein whose expression has been found to be of prognostic significance in many human cancers, including gliomas. The objective of this study was to assess survivin expression using immunohistochemistry in 15 gangliogliomas. Ten lesions were low-grade neoplasms whereas 5 were high-grade tumors. Survivin expression appeared restricted to the neoplastic glial component and was detected in 6/15 gangliogliomas. Two additional tumors expressed survivin upon relapse. Half survivin expressing lesions displayed less than 1% immunoreactive cells. Survivin expression in more than 5% neoplastic glial cells was detected only in malignant and/or recurrent gangliogliomas. Extended lifespan in survivin expressing cells might enhance aggressive behavior in these tumors through accumulation of mutations, thereby allowing progression to malignant phenotypes. Survivin expression may carry a negative prognostic value in gangliogliomas.

Prognostic value of initial magnetic resonance imaging growth rates for World Health Organization grade II gliomas.

A consecutive series of 143 unselected adult patients with histologically proved World Health Organization grade II gliomas was reviewed to assess the prognostic value of growth rates of mean tumor diameters on successive magnetic resonance images before treatment. There is an inverse correlation between growth rates and survival (p < 0.001; median survival at 5.16 years for a growth rate of 8mm/year or more; median survival >15.0 years for a growth rate <8mm/year). Thus, individual magnetic resonance imaging tumor growth rates should be incorporated in the planning of the initial therapeutic strategy of grade II gliomas.

Pituitary tumour transforming gene (PTTG) expression correlates with the proliferative activity and recurrence status of pituitary adenomas: a clinical and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: The pituitary tumour transforming gene (pttg) plays a central role in pituitary tumorigenesis, but PTTG protein expression is poorly documented and its relationship with tumour cell proliferation and the prognosis of pituitary adenomas is unclear. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of PTTG and Ki-67 in 45 human pituitary adenomas according to the tumour histotype, aggressiveness and persistence/recurrence status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumours comprised 37 macroadenomas and 8 microadenomas. Twenty patients experienced disease persistence or recurrence after transsphenoidal surgery. Disease recurrence was observed in 16 patients, 8-72 months after surgery. RESULTS: No PTTG or Ki-67 expression was detected in normal pituitary tissue. In pituitary adenomas, tumour nuclei were positive for PTTG and Ki-67 in 89 and 98% of samples, respectively, and there was a strong correlation between the expression of the two proteins (P < 0.001). By the ROC curves method, a PTTG score of 3.3% was the best cut-off for distinguishing between recurrent and nonrecurrent pituitary adenomas (P < 0.05; sensitivity 60%; specificity 76%). A 2.9% cut-off was obtained for both PTTG (P < 0.01; sensitivity 77%; specificity 71%) and Ki-67 (P < 0.05; sensitivity 85%; specificity 64%) among patients with more than 1 year of follow-up. Neither PTTG nor Ki-67 expression was influenced by the maximal tumour diameter, tumour grade, age, gender or presurgical medical treatment. Both PTTG and Ki-67 tumour score > 2.9% identified a subgroup of patients with a significantly higher recurrence-free interval (P < 0.01). By multivariate analysis, a > 2.9% Ki-67 tumour score was the best predictor of pituitary tumour persistence/recurrence after surgery (chi(2) = 8.2, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PTTG is expressed in approximately 90% of pituitary tumours of different histotypes but with a high variability from one case to another. As expected, PTTG expression parallels that of Ki-67 and both are correlated to a more aggressive behaviour. However, a 2.9% Ki-67 cut-off proved to be the most reliable biological marker for predicting the recurrence potential of these tumours, when an adequate postsurgical follow-up is considered.