Genetics of pituitary adenomas

Abstract

Clinically relevant pituitary tumors presenting with altered hormonal secretion or mass effect represent a significant proportion of patients in endocrinology clinics. However, in recent years, these patients are also referred to clinical genetic services due to possible germline mutations causing syndromic or isolated pituitary adenomas. While somatic mutations have been identified in GNAS, USB8, PIK3CA, GPR101 and rarely in RAS, germline mutations have been identified in MEN1, cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor genes, AIP, DICER1, PRKAR1A, PRKACA, SDH genes and GPR101. In this review, we present a short overview of pituitary adenoma classifications, pituitary development and somatic and germline genetic changes identified in these adenomas.