title: Reduction in the size of prolactin-producing pituitary tumor after Cabergoline administration.
abstract: Different weekly doses (400 to 3,000 micrograms) of the new, long-acting dopamine agonist Cabergoline (Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy) were given to 11 hyperprolactinemic women with pituitary tumor. Pituitary computerized tomography (CT) scans were performed before the start of treatment and after 3 (n = 5), 6 (n = 3), and 9 (n = 3) months of Cabergoline administration. Plasma prolactin (PRL) was determined in blood samples collected before and at weekly intervals during Cabergoline administration. Cabergoline induced marked inhibition of PRL secretion in conjunction with a CT demonstration of reduction in the pituitary tumor size in all patients. The potent, long-lasting PRL inhibitory effect of Cabergoline and the absence of side effects typical of dopaminergic compounds suggest that the use of this drug is advantageous over others in the medical treatment of hyperprolactinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambacciani
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mais
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sghedoni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fioretti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077465:Cabergoline; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D004873:Ergolines; D011388:Prolactin; D000077465:Cabergoline