CGRP was expressed in 50% of growth hormone-producing pituitary adenomas and was associated with trends toward more chronic headaches and lower surgical remission rates.
50% vs 0%CGRP was expressed in half of growth hormone-producing adenomas but none of the nonfunctioning pituitary tumors
What the researchers found
CGRP was expressed in 50% of acromegaly adenomas and 0% of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (p<0.001). CGRP-positive tumors showed trends toward higher chronic headache rates (40% vs 13%) and lower postoperative remission (60% vs 86.7%).
Why it matters
This finding connects CGRP—already a validated target for migraine therapy—to pituitary tumor biology, potentially explaining why some acromegaly patients experience persistent headaches and suggesting CGRP-targeted treatments could have a role in managing these symptoms.
How the study worked
Retrospective immunohistochemistry study of surgical pituitary adenoma tissue samples from 49 patients (30 acromegaly, 19 NFPA) at a single center, with clinical, radiological, and histopathological correlation.
What this study cannot tell us
Small sample size (49 patients) limits statistical power—key associations showed trends (p=0.07-0.09) but did not reach significance. Single-center design, retrospective analysis. Functional role of CGRP in adenoma biology was not directly tested.
How to read the evidence
Small single-center retrospective study with immunohistochemistry analysis. Key clinical associations showed trends but did not reach statistical significance.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, exploring a novel connection between CGRP and pituitary adenoma behavior.
The bigger picture
CGRP is already targeted by anti-migraine drugs (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies). Discovering its expression in pituitary tumors opens questions about whether these same therapies could help manage headaches in acromegaly patients with CGRP-positive adenomas.
Questions still open
- Could anti-CGRP therapies (like erenumab or rimegepant) help manage chronic headaches in acromegaly patients with CGRP-positive tumors?
- Does CGRP expression directly influence tumor growth or treatment resistance, or is it simply a marker?
- Would larger multicenter studies confirm the associations between CGRP expression and poorer surgical outcomes?
Common questions
What is CGRP and why is it important in pituitary tumors?
Could migraine drugs help acromegaly patients with headaches?
Read the original research
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Expression in Somatotroph Adenomas: Implications for Clinical Course and Treatment Outcomes.
Neuroendocrinology, 1-17
Citation
Cil, Sanem; Pekmezci, Aslihan; Karatay, Huseyin; Dogukan, Fatih Mert; Burhan, Sebnem; Cil, Mehmet Said; Akpinar, Ebubekir; Erkan, Buruc; Niyazoglu, Mutlu; Hatipoglu, Esra. (2026). Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Expression in Somatotroph Adenomas: Implications for Clinical Course and Treatment Outcomes.. Neuroendocrinology, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1159/000551012