DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for benign neoplasm of pituitary gland — screening already-approved drugs against its 24-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleBenign neoplasm of pituitary gland maps to a 24-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for benign neoplasm of pituitary gland is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
ST14 transmembrane serine protease matriptase (ST14) — ST14 is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet 4-carbamimidoylbenzyldrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3NCL · 1.19 Å · ligand phenyl (4-carbamimidoylbenzyl)phosphonate (CCZ). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Pituitary neoplasms are mostly benign adenomas, making up 10% to 15% of all diagnosed intracranial tumours, but they can cause significant illness by pressing on nearby brain structures or by secreting abnormal hormones. A 2014 study of US hospital records from 1993 to 2011 found that the rate of pituitary tumour diagnoses per 100,000 persons rose significantly over that period, and the number of surgical resections also increased significantly. Over the same time, hospital charges more than tripled, even though the average length of stay and the mortality rate for patients with a primary diagnosis of pituitary neoplasm both decreased significantly. Transsphenoidal surgery became more common, while transfrontal resections became less common.
For aggressive pituitary tumours—defined by massive invasion of surrounding structures and rapid growth—the outlook is poor. A 2011 review states that these tumours are notoriously difficult to manage, tend to recur quickly after initial treatment, and are generally unresponsive to therapy. Surgery is the first-line option for most types, but often has to be repeated. For prolactinomas, dopamine agonists are the first-line treatment and normalise prolactin levels in most patients, even those with large tumours. Somatostatin analogues can be used before or after surgery to control tumour regrowth. However, the review notes that dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogues are not as effective for aggressive adenomas as they are for non-aggressive ones. When surgery and drugs fail, radiotherapy is used as a third-line strategy. Conventional chemotherapy is described as poorly effective, though short-term results with the alkylating agent temozolomide have been reported in individual cases.
The classification of pituitary tumours includes common adenomas, rare carcinomas, craniopharyngiomas, and other primary and secondary neoplasms in the sella region, as well as tumour-like lesions such as cysts and inflammatory conditions. A 2002 update notes that understanding of adenoma cell differentiation has improved through the identification of transcription factors, which provide new tools for classification and diagnosis. A 2017 overview states that transsphenoidal surgery remains a common and well-tolerated treatment for most pituitary adenomas, and that advances in radiation and chemotherapy have increased treatment options and eligibility.
What is still missing are large, controlled trials of temozolomide and other chemotherapy agents specifically for aggressive pituitary tumours, as the evidence remains limited to case reports. There is also no clear stratification of patients by tumour subtype or molecular markers to predict which aggressive tumours might respond to which therapy. Funding for such trials and for the development of drugs that work when dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogues fail is lacking.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy · 2011 · 65 citations
Therapy of aggressive pituitary tumors
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Aggressive tumors of the pituitary gland are classically defined as pituitary tumors with a massive invasion of the surrounding anatomical structures and rapid growth. They are notoriously difficult to manage and are associated with poor prognosis because the therapeutic options are limited and the tumors are generally unresponsive to therapy. AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on treatment options for aggressive pituitary tumors, including surgery, radiotherapy and medical treatment, as well as focusing on the promising therapeutic options for aggressive pituitary tumors, evaluating the literature of the last 15 years. With the exception of prolactinomas, surgery is the first-line option, but most aggressive pituitary tumors often require repeated surgery. Pharmacotherapies are useful when surgery is unlikely to improve symptoms, or as an adjunct therapy to surgery. In prolactinomas, dopamine agonists are the first-line treatment and normalize prolactin levels in most patients, even those with macroprolactinomas. Somatostatin analogs are effective agents for primary therapy, pre-operatively or post-operatively to control tumor re-expansion of pituitary adenomas. However, dopamine agonists and somatostatin analogs are not as effective as they are for the treatment of non-aggressive adenomas. When surgery and pharmacotherapy fail, radiotherapy is a useful third-line strategy. Conventional chemotherapy is poorly effective but recent case reports with the temozolomide, an alkylating agent, have provided better results in the short term. EXPERT OPINION: Aggressive pituitary tumors are associated with poor prognosis as therapeutic options are limited. Moreover, they tend to recur quickly after initial treatment, are generally unresponsive to therapy, and are difficult to manage. To improve the overall response rate, the early application of current therapeutic approaches with the incorporation of new therapeutic developments is mandatory.
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology · 2014 · 50 citations
Significant increases of pituitary tumors and resections from 1993 to 2011
AbstractBACKGROUND: Pituitary tumors comprise 10% to 15% of all diagnosed intracranial tumors; 90% are adenomas. Though benign, significant morbidity via compression of surrounding structures or aberrant hormone secretion can occur. This study investigated rates of pituitary tumor diagnoses and treatment trends from 1993 to 2011. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the 1993 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample for patients diagnosed with pituitary tumor as well as those patients who underwent pituitary tumor resection. Incidences of pituitary lesions, surgical approaches, and clinical and economic outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The rate of primary and secondary diagnoses of pituitary tumor per 100,000 persons significantly grew over the study period (correlation coefficient = 0.934 and 0.987, respectively, p < 0.001); a significant increase in the number of pituitary resections performed annually (correlation coefficient = 0.942, p < 0.001) were also seen. Admissions with a primary diagnosis of pituitary neoplasm experienced significant decreases in length of stay over time (correlation coefficient = -0.913, p < 0.001) and mortality (correlation coefficient = -0.697, p = 0.001). Interestingly, hospital charges more than triple over the same time span (correlation coefficient = 0.970, p < 0.001). Transfrontal resections decreased linearly with time. CONCLUSION: Pituitary tumor diagnoses and resections have grown significantly over the past 20 years. Transsphenoidal surgical resection among this patient population has increased significantly, whereas transfrontal resections have decreased.
Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy of pituitary carcinoma with cervical lymph node metastases: A report of two cases and review of the literature
AbstractMetastases from pituitary carcinomas are rare lesions that can mimic other tumors on fine-needle aspiration biopsies. Two patients with primary pituitary neoplasms developed cervical lymph node metastases, which were sampled and diagnosed correctly using the fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique. These two cases demonstrate the varied cytologic patterns of pituitary neoplasms, ranging from uniform bland cells to cells with striking anaplastic features. The time period between the onset of symptoms and subsequent metastases is unpredictable as well, underscoring the need for an accurate clinical history before a meaningful cytologic interpretation is made.
Acidophil stem-cell pituitary adenoma in a prepubescent female
AbstractAcidophil stem-cell pituitary adenomas account for less than 5% of pituitary tumors. Only 15 cases have previously been reported, with a mean age of occurrence of 38.7 years. A case of this unusual tumor is reported in a prepubertal girl. Clinical symptoms included prominent behavioral disturbance with associated headache and visual disturbance. There was marked elevation of serum growth hormone concentration without clinical features of growth hormone excess, suggesting that this tumor has the capacity to excrete biologically inactive hormones. The clinical and pathological features of this unusual invasive pituitary tumor are reviewed; the age spectrum for this neoplasm must be expanded to include prepubertal children.
AbstractThe classification of pituitary tumors includes the large group of common pituitary adenomas, the rare pituitary carcinoma, craniopharyngiomas, and various other primary and secondary neoplasms that arise in the region of the sella turcica. In addition, there is a group of tumorlike lesions that can mimic pituitary tumors, including cysts, inflammatory conditions, and hyperplasias. The understanding of pituitary adenoma cytodifferentiation has been greatly enhanced by the identification of transcription factors that regulate cell differentiation in this gland; these factors provide novel tools for tumor classification and diagnosis. The pathologist plays an important role in identifying the morphologic features of pituitary lesions to ensure appropriate classification and clinicopathological correlations that will determine patient management. KEYWORDS Pituitary - pathology - classification
Neoplasms of the Endocrine Glands: Pituitary Neoplasms
AbstractOverview Pituitary neoplasms represent a phenotypically and pathologically diverse family of tumors. Treatment and classification are both patient and tumor specific as symptoms may derive from abnormal hormone production, compression of adjacent nervous system structures, and, in rare cases, metastases. Transsphenoidal surgery represents a common and well‐tolerated treatment for most pituitary adenomas; however, advances in radiation and chemotherapy have increased treatment options, enhancing treatment efficacy, and eligibility.
Indian Journal of Case Reports · 2019 · 0 citations · open access
LYMPHOCYTIC HYPOPHYSITIS MASQUERADING AS TRANSIENT SECONDARY HYPERADRENALISM FOLLOWED BY PANHYPOPITUITARISM
AbstractLymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) is a rare inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland. This condition strikingly shows femalepreponderance and commonly affects women during pregnancy or in the post-partum period. It’s a clinical presentation and radiologicalfeatures may mimic pituitary adenoma. Though its treatment modality is uncertain steroid remains the 1st option for treatment. Here,we report an unusual case of LHin a 21-year-old female patient where initially, the patient presented with hyperadrenalism andsecondary hyperthyroidism followed by pan-hypopituitarism (Addisonian crisis) which is attributed to initial autoimmune destructionof the gland followed by subsequent fibrosis. Thus, it is a rare case report which exquisitely explains this rare presentation and suchcases should be investigated thoroughly since there are many differential and response to steroids is remarkable.
AbstractReactive pituitary hyperplasia can develop as a pituitary (pseudo) macroadenoma in the case of primary hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism-induced pituitary hyperplasia (PHPH) can be managed medically. Surgery should not be performed if this condition is misdiagnosed as an adenoma. Primary hypothyroidism is a well-known cause of children's slow linear growth. Anterior pituitary enlargement is a rare symptom of severe or long-term illness (pituitary pseudotumor). Thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting adenomas (TSHomas) are the rarest type of pituitary adenomas, with most endocrinologists seeing just a few cases throughout their lives. In most situations, the diagnosis is difficult, and patients may be referred after presenting with a condition of excessive thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion or a pituitary tumor. In this case study, we describe a 3.5-year-old girl who was referred to our hospital for a surgical assessment of a suspected pituitary neoplastic lesion. It was later determined that the suspected lesion was really pituitary hyperplasia brought on by primary hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine was started, and the dose was increased. The patient was advised to follow up to see if pituitary macroadenoma had responded to levothyroxine supplementation. Pituitary enlargement (pseudotumor of the pituitary gland) is a rare complication of primary hypothyroidism. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for children with severe primary hypothyroidism to maintain their final height, as late diagnosis nearly always leads to a decline in adult stature. Pituitary macroadenoma secondary to severe hypothyroidism does not need risky and expensive surgical intervention. Because PHPH is rare in children, more credible information is needed to have a better knowledge of how the disease progresses and to develop scientific diagnostic criteria.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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