Role of microRNAs in non-functioning pituitary adenoma.

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas account for 30% of anterior pituitary tumours. Based on their inability to secrete hormones, these are often diagnosed incidentally or due to pressure symptoms. Understanding the pathogenesis of these adenomas can provide insight into factors leading to its progression and serving as biomarkers for early recognition. A literature search was performed in the current narrative review for articles published in PubMed for the last 10 years till January 2020 on micro-ribonucleic acid involved in the pathogenesis of non-functioning pituitary adenomas. Of the 478 articles found, 21(4.4%) were filtered. In total, 106 micro-ribonucleic acids were identified, 25(23.5%) of which appeared in more than one study. Among them, 7(28%)were up-regulated, 11(44%) down-regulated, and 7(28%) were either up- or down-regulated. Micro- ribonucleic acids allow the screening, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. This can revolutionise tumour management in the years ahead, especially in resource-constrained low- and middle-income countries.

Human Papillomavirus and Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Association with Prognosis in Patients with Primary Glioblastoma in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common adult primary brain tumor. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been studied for the past decade, and conflicting results have been reported with no conclusive role established yet. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers and has a high prevalence in patients with cervical and oral cancer in Pakistan. The objective of our study was to identify the prevalence of HCMV and HPV in Pakistani patients with primary GBM. METHODS: In total, 112 primary GBM biopsies were analyzed. HCMV and HPV infection was investigated using nested and conventional polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Positive HPV samples were further confirmed through sequencing. HPV status was correlated with histology and expression of other frequently mutated GBM molecular markers. RESULTS: Our study comprised of 68% male and 32% female patients. HCMV was detected in only 1 patient whereas HPV infection was present in 28% of patients with no cases of HPV and HCMV coinfection. We report for the first time that a majority of HPV-positive patients with GBM harbored types 16 and 18 both. Among them, 16% were HPV-type 16 and 20% were HPV-type 18. Patients infected with HPV had longer survival times, but this was not statistically significant. The most commonly overexpressed molecular marker in HPV-positive patients was cyclo-oxygenase-2, and no histologic changes were seen in HPV-positive GBM cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a single HCMV positive is intriguing. In addition, we discovered a substantially high 28% prevalence of HPV in GBM patients. The role of viruses in gliomagenesis warrants further investigation.