The relationship between MRI invasive features and expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and microvessel density in pituitary adenoma

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression of the molecular markers, extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), galectin-3, and microvessel density (MVD) with MRI invasive features in invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas. MRI was performed preoperatively in 34 patients with histologically verified pituitary adenomas. The expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and MVD was determined by using immunohistochemical techniques on excised surgical specimen from all patients. Correlative analyses between invasive MRI features and expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and MVD were determined between invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas. Among MRI invasive features, adenoma crossing the lateral line (LL) of the internal carotid artery (ICA), percentage of intracavernous ICA encasement by the tumor over 50%, sphenoidal sinus invasion, irregular tumor shape, and bilateral ICA asymmetry correlated with increased expression of EMMPRIN and galectin-3 (P<.05), but tumor cystic necrosis and tumor apoplexy did not correlate with EMMPRIN and galectin-3 expression (P>.05). The invasive MRI features did not correlate with MVD expression. This study demonstrated that EMMPRIN and galectin-3 were associated with aggressiveness and invasion by pituitary adenoma. Furthermore, EMMPRIN and galectin-3 were two potential molecular markers for assessing the invasive potential of pituitary adenoma and may provide useful targets for molecular therapeutic strategy against invasive pituitary adenomas.