Clinicopathological features and outcomes in non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: a transcription factor-driven subtype analysis.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess the differences in clinicopathological features and outcomes of non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) based on transcription factor expression. METHODS: Clinical data were collected from patients diagnosed with non-functioning PitNETs at our hospital. Tumors were classified into transcription factor-based subgroups for comparison. Clinical characteristics were analyzed across these subgroups, and prognostic data were obtained through postoperative outpatient records and telephone follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients were included, comprising 202 males (49.4%) and 207 females (50.6%). Of these, 245 (59.9%), 101 (24.7%), 39 (9.5%), and 24 (5.9%) patients were classified into the steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), T-box transcription factor 19 (TPIT), POU class 1 homeobox 1 (PIT1), and no distinct lineage groups, respectively. The SF1 subgroup was associated with lipid metabolism disorders. The TPIT subgroup had the largest and most invasive tumors. Patients in the PIT1 and no distinct lineage groups were more likely to present with hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea and showed a lower tendency to invade the cavernous sinus. The median follow-up duration was 801 days. The PIT1 and TPIT subgroups had shorter tumor-free survival, particularly the former. Further survival analysis revealed that patients with TPIT and PIT1 lineages had poorer prognoses. CONCLUSIONS: Transcription factor expression was associated with distinct clinical features and short-term outcomes. The PIT1 and TPIT lineages were linked to shorter tumor-free survival. Enhanced postoperative surveillance is recommended for these subgroups. These findings underscore the clinical and prognostic heterogeneity of non-functioning PitNETs.