[Quo vadis, hypophysis? Some news and prospects]

Abstract

Knowledge of hypophysis could hardly stagnate in a context of general progress in medical science as such. New knowledge in physiology, pathology and treatment of hypophysis diseases is vast and only some of it could be included in the article. New regulators of hypophysial secretion have been discovered. Among them are hypothalamic chemokines and the KISS-1 gene product--kisspeptin. Impulses coming to the hypophysis from the brain centres and the periphery need to be integrated. This is provided by a system of folliculo-stellate cells, paracrine mechanisms and hypophysial microcirculation. Are there stem cells in the hypophysis, too? It seems there are. It could be the above mentioned folliculo-stellate system cells, or the recently discovered SP (side population) cells. Massive injuries such as multiple traumas, severe burns and shock states provoke a double-phase response of the hypophysis. The acute phase is characterised by hypersecretion of most of hypophysial hormones and peripheral resistance to their actuation. In the subsequent chronic phase, however, the secretion of all hypophysial hormones is reduced, except for ACTH. Clinically relevant hypophysial adenomas affect approximately 1 per thousand of population. Two thirds of the above number are prolactinomas. Most prolactinomas can be cured without major difficulty, only those resistant to pharmacological treatment can become a problem. In such cases, Leksell gamma knife can play an important role. The treatment of acromegaly is far more difficult, though. We have developed our own acromegaly treatment method. We treat adenomas surgically, expose possible residua to Leksell gamma knife irradiation and apply pharmacological therapy until the effect of irradiation has been achieved. The therapeutic options are ordered in a cost sequence: cabergolin, somatostatin analogues, pegvisomant. Similar approach is applied to patients with central etiology Cushing's syndrome, the only difference being the fact that the pharmacological therapy preceding the effect of the gamma knife treatment uses ketoconazol and metyrapone. Like in the case of acromegaly, also in that of Cushing's disease, new drugs are developed which promise greater therapeutic advantages.