title: Potential role of type I interferons in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.
abstract: Cytokines, particularly those endowed with pro-inflammatory properties, are known to influence the release of anterior pituitary hormones by a direct and indirect action at the level of pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Type I interferons (IFNs) represent a group of cytokines that act through a common receptor composed by two chains (IFNAR-1 and IFNAR-2). Several in vitro and in vivo studies underline the fact that type I IFNs are involved in the regulation of the immune-endocrine circuitry. Treatment with type I IFNs of patients affected by chronic viral hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and tumors influences the secretion of pituitary hormones. This article reviews the current knowledge about the effects of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta on hypothalamic-pituitary function and describes the potential role of type I IFNs in the treatment of pituitary adenomas.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. vanni10@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caraglia
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van Koetsveld
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maroni
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.forename: Steven W J
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lamberts
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavagnini
authors.forename: Leo J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Hofland
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D053633:Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta