Clinicopathologic Correlates of PIT1 and SF1-Multilineage Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors and the Diagnostic Utility of NKX2.2 Immunohistochemistry in Pituitary Pathology

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2025 Jan 1;149(1):83-89. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2023-0543-OA.

Abstract

Context.—: PIT1 and SF1-multilineage pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) have been defined since the classification of adenohypophysial tumors based on the PIT1, SF1, and TPIT transcription factors.

Objective.—: To describe the clinicopathologic features of PIT1 and SF1-multilineage PitNETs and to contribute to the pituitary pathology practice by questioning the expression of NKX2.2 in PitNETs.

Design.—: We reviewed 345 PitNETs and described the clinicopathologic features of 8 PIT1 and SF1-multilineage tumors. NKX2.2 positivity and staining pattern were compared to those of 45 PitNETs from the control group.

Results.—: PIT1 and SF1-multilineage PitNET patients had a mean age of 41.13 (range, 14-58 years) and a mean tumor diameter of 14.0 mm (range, 8-20 mm). The most common clinical presentation was acromegaly (6 of 8), and postoperative remission was achieved in all patients. On histomorphologic examination, a pseudopapillary pattern was seen in 5 of the tumors, either focally or diffusely. In addition to PIT1 and SF1, there was a diffuse staining with growth hormone and a predominantly perinuclear staining with cytokeratin 18. With NKX2.2, all multilineage tumors were positive, of which 5 were diffuse and 3 were focal. In the control group, 8 tumors (8 of 45) were positive, of which only 1 was diffuse and 7 were focal.

Conclusions.—: In conclusion, NKX2.2 is a transcription factor that can be used as an additional tool in pituitary pathology, and PIT1 and SF1-multilineage PitNETs are specific tumors that usually present with acromegaly, show signs of a nonaggressive clinical course, have a pseudopapillary histomorphology, and express NKX2.2.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.2*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / diagnosis
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / metabolism
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors* / pathology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1* / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism
  • Young Adult
  • Zebrafish Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.2
  • NKX2-2 protein, human
  • nkx2.2b protein, zebrafish
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factor Pit-1
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • POU1F1 protein, human