Adenohypophysal pituitary tumors account for 10–15% of all intracranial tumors, and 25–55% display signs of invasiveness. Nevertheless, oncology still relies on histopathological examination to establish the diagnosis. Considering that the classification of pituitary tumors has changed significantly in recent years, we discuss the definition of aggressive and invasive tumors and the latest molecular criteria used for classifying these entities. The pituitary tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for neoplastic development and progression. This review aims to reveal the impact of TME characteristics on stratifying these tumors in view of finding appropriate therapeutic approaches. The role of the pituitary tumor microenvironment and its main components, non-tumoral cells and soluble factors, has been addressed. The variable display of different immune cell types, tumor-associated fibroblasts, and folliculostellate cells is discussed in relation to tumor development and aggressiveness. The molecules secreted by both tumoral and non-tumoral cells, such as VEGF, FGF, EGF, IL6, TNFα, and immune checkpoint molecules, contribute to the crosstalk between the tumor and its microenvironment. They could be considered potential biomarkers for diagnosis and the invasiveness of these tumors, together with emerging non-coding RNA molecules. Therefore, assessing this complex network associated with pituitary neuroendocrine tumors could bring a new era in diagnosing and treating this pathology.
腺垂体肿瘤占所有颅内肿瘤的10-15%，其中25-55%具有侵袭性表现。然而，肿瘤学诊断仍依赖于组织病理学检查。鉴于垂体肿瘤分类近年来发生显著变化，本文探讨了侵袭性肿瘤的定义及用于此类肿瘤分型的最新分子标准。垂体肿瘤微环境对肿瘤的发生发展至关重要。本综述旨在揭示肿瘤微环境特征对垂体肿瘤分层的影响，以寻找合适的治疗方法。文中阐述了垂体肿瘤微环境及其主要成分（非肿瘤细胞和可溶性因子）的作用，探讨了不同免疫细胞类型、肿瘤相关成纤维细胞和滤泡星状细胞在肿瘤发生发展及侵袭性中的动态表现。肿瘤细胞与非肿瘤细胞分泌的分子（如VEGF、FGF、EGF、IL6、TNFα及免疫检查点分子）共同介导了肿瘤与微环境间的相互作用。这些分子与新兴的非编码RNA分子均可作为诊断和评估肿瘤侵袭性的潜在生物标志物。因此，对这一与垂体神经内分泌肿瘤相关的复杂网络进行评估，可能为该疾病的诊断和治疗开启新纪元。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家