As an American, you have a right to good health care that is effective, accessible, and affordable, that serves you from infancy through old age, that allows you to go to practitioners and facilities of your choosing, and that offers a broad range of therapeutic options.

-Andrew Weil

 

PNA Spotlight: Dr. John Boockvar

In June the PNA Spotlight focuses on Dr. John Boockvar, a neurosurgeon in New York City. Dr. Boockvar has many titles; among them, vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and director of the Brain Tumor and Pituitary/Neuroendocrine Center at Lenox Hill Hospital; investigator in the Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research; and professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and is head of experimental therapeutics for Northwell Health. Dr. Boockvar received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and and MD from SUNY Brooklyn-Downstate Medical Center. He did his surgical internship and neurosurgical residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Boockvar did his NIH-supported postdoctoral research training in neuro-oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. He was kind enough to answer a series of questions from the PNA. His answers follow:

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PNA Medical Corner: PitNETs

This month the PNA Medical Corner showcases a study co-authored by longtime PNA member Dr. Sylvia Asa on PitNets that co-express PIT1 and SF1. These types of tumors that express both are rare. Read more here:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37268858/

Abstract

PitNETs are usually restricted in their cytodifferentiation to only one of 3 lineages dictated by expression of the pituitary transcription factors (TFs) PIT1, TPIT, or SF1. Tumors that show lineage infidelity and express multiple TFs are rare. We searched the pathology files of 4 institutions for PitNETs with coexpression of PIT1 and SF1. We identified 38 tumors in 21 women and 17 men, average age 53 (range 21-79) years. They represented 1.3 to 2.5% of PitNETs at each center. Acromegaly was the presentation in 26 patients; 2 had central hyperthyroidism associated with growth hormone (GH) excess and one had significantly elevated prolactin (PRL). The remainder had mass lesions with visual deficits, hypopituitarism, and/or headaches. Tumor size ranged from 0.9 to 5 cm; all 7 lesions smaller than 1 cm were associated with acromegaly. Larger lesions frequently invaded the cavernous sinuses.

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Featured News and Updates

News Articles April 2026

Pituitary story: 10-year-old pituitary patient honored for bravery

 A ten-year-old Scottish girl has been honored for her bravery as she underwent surgery for a pituitary tumor. Read more:  https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/she-s-an-absolute-star-inverness-pupil-honoured-for-brave-431104/

Teen overcomes Cushing’s Disease

 

A 17-year-old girl in North Carolina is doing well after surgery to remove a pituitary tumor caused by Cushing’s Disease. She is an avid runner who suffered headaches and fatigue before her diagnosis.  Read more: https://www.wect.com/2026/04/01/believe-them-teen-runner-diagnosed-with-rare-cushings-disease-after-years-symptoms/

 

Pituitary story: Cushing’s at age 27

A 27-year-old woman experienced a lack of menses and unexplained weight gain before being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. She had surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida and has returned to a normal life. Read more: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/960-in-her-twenties-yoselin-needed-pituitary-tumor-surgery

 

 

Mobile MRI during pituitary surgery

An article on MSN.com looks at the use of mobile brain scanners during pituitary surgery in Canada.  Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/mobile-brain-scans-sound-like-science-fiction-but-they-re-now-helping-more-canadian-patients/ar-AA1YlZWc

Research Articles

Research Articles April 2026

Pituitary Tumors

Astragaloside IV targets TUBB4B to inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of pituitary tumor cells via the STMN1/ERK pathway.

Li J, Qu Y, Zhang W, Yang Z, Zeng Y, Xu J, Xie K, Liu Q.Int J Mol Med. 2026 Jun;57(6):151. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5822. Epub 2026 Apr 3.

 

[Endocrine inactive pituitary microadenomas: current data on natural history and follow-up approaches].

Dzhatieva DN, Pigarova EA, Dzeranova LK.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):98-102. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002198.


[Impact of cabergoline on fibrosis in prolactinoma].

Matsueva IA, Paltsev AA, Guseva KA, Tsoy UA, Grineva EN.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):85-91. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002185.


[Hypothalamic obesity in adults with craniopharyngiomas: prevalence and risk factors before and after neurosurgical treatment].

Klochkova IS, Astafyeva LI, Kutin MA, Konovalov AN, Sidneva YG, Shkarubo AN, Kalinin PL.Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko. 2026;90(2):77-84. doi: 10.17116/neiro20269002177.

 

Gonadal recovery in men with prolactinomas on cabergoline: 6-month testosterone levels as a predictor of testosterone replacement timing.

Fedai NK, Uzun N, Bostan H, Kizilgul M, Demirci T, Cakal E, Ucan B.Hormones (Athens). 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1007/s42000-026-00766-3. Online ahead of print.


Visual outcomes after pituitary adenoma surgery: Associated factors and longitudinal progression in a prospective single-centre study.

Lozouet M, Saadoun A, Ménard A, Aldea S, Jaoude SA, Heran F, Yavchitz A, Philibert M, Chauvet D.Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28;267:109409. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109409. Online ahead of print.

 

Machine Learning-Based models in prediction of Ki-67 in pituitary adenoma: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

Hajikarimloo B, Mohammadzadeh I, Tos SM, Bahri A, Sabaghian A, Habibi MA.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 1;91(1):118. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04590-y.

 

Pituitary disorders

Recurrent pituitary apoplexy: experience from a national registry and review of the literature.

Biagetti B, Cordero Asanza E, Iglesias P, Camara R, Asla Q, Vicente A, Martinez-Saez E, Sarria-Estrada S, Puig-Domingo M, Araujo-Castro M.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434641. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434641. eCollection 2026.


Post-Traumatic Pituitary Stalk Transection Syndrome.

Albusaidi R, AlHatmi A, Al Shidhani A, Al-Ajmi E.Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2026 Mar 7;26(1):230-232. doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.2977. eCollection 2026.


The impact of a non-functioning pituitary adenoma on life – A qualitative study of patients’ experiences.

Al-Shamkhi N, Edén Engström B, Rask E, Anderzén-Carlsson A.PLoS One. 2026 Mar 31;21(3):e0345909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0345909. eCollection 2026.

 

Combined surgery and proton radiotherapy in the management of craniopharyngiomas: an update with paradigmatic and challenging case scenarios.

Valeri F, Zoli M, Lillo S, Tengattini F, Colombo F, Pasquini E, Salierno G, Carretta A, D’Ambrosio L, Babaei D, Agosti E, Mattogno PP, Fontanella MM, Lauretti L, Mazzatenta D, Doglietto F, Iannalfi A.Neurosurg Rev. 2026 Mar 31;49(1):331. doi: 10.1007/s10143-026-04258-1.

 

Cushing’s

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cushing’s Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Effects.

Chen B, He C, Han L, Wang H, Ma Y, Wang R, Cai X.Onco Targets Ther. 2026 Feb 6;19:571776. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S571776. eCollection 2026.

 

Symptom management with osilodrostat in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with a Cushing syndrome presentation.

Jamal HF.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Mar 31;4(4):luag039. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag039. eCollection 2026 Apr.


Persistent remission after steroidogenesis inhibitor discontinuation in Cushing disease: a case series.

Mangone A, Sala E, Carosi G, Sindaco GD, Mungari R, Cremaschi A, Petria I, Noschese G, Lotito V, Mantovani G, Ferrante E.Pituitary. 2026 Apr 1;29(2):68. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01668-8.

 

Clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome: analysis of a multicenter registry in Antioquia, Colombia.

Rivera-Martínez WA, Ramírez Castaño MJ, Cruz Calderón S, Díaz Posada NA, Gutiérrez Restrepo J, Román-González A, Aristizábal Henao N, Castaño Ceballos PA, Tobón Ospina CI, Donado Gómez JH, López Pompey N, Builes-Montaño CE.Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 28;17:20420188261434078. doi: 10.1177/20420188261434078. eCollection 2026.


Prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Craniopharyngioma Patients Using Non-Invasive Investigations.

Nitya AAV, Ghosh J, Taneja S, Singla V, Kalra N, Dutta P.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jan-Feb;30(1):79-84. doi: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_821_25. Epub 2026 Feb 27.


A proposed classification and scoring system predicting gross total resection of recurrent and residual pituitary adenoma: a retrospective study.

Quan W, Zhao DW, Li L, Chen HR, Wang L, Hu SL, Hu R.World Neurosurg. 2026 Mar 28:124958. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.124958. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41912140

 

 

Acromegaly

Meningoencephalitis and secondary pituitary abscess in a 16-year-old patient with gigantism.

Wissa M, Strenger V, Weinhandl G, Braun H, Wolfsberger S, Micko A.JCEM Case Rep. 2026 Apr 1;4(4):luag032. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luag032. eCollection 2026 Apr.

 

The silent surden: Alexithymia and quality of life in acromegaly patients.

Soltanova L, Aygun AB, Kocaman BB, Muradov I, Taze SS, Turan S, Kadioglu P, Durcan E.Endocrine. 2026 Apr 2;91(1):135. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04606-7.

 

To test or not to test: what we have learnt from 50 years of dynamic testing in acromegaly.

De Marinis L, Chiloiro S, Mancini A, Giambò P, Giampietro A, Bianchi A, Pontecorvi A, Giustina A.Pituitary. 2026 Mar 31;29(2):67. doi: 10.1007/s11102-026-01649-x.


Acromegaly is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Primary Malignant Tumors: Data from a National Study in Sweden.

Tsatsaris E, Robèrt J, Burman P, Berinder K, Bonelli L, Dahlqvist P, Höybye C, Ragnarsson O, Vouzouneraki K, Åkerman AK, Ekman B, Engström BE.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 30:dgag137. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgag137. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41913644

 

Acromegaly-Physiopathology and etiology.

Castinetti F.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:83-102. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2026.01.001. Epub 2026 Jan 28.PMID: 41912301 Review.

 

Co-secreting pituitary adenomas in acromegaly: Classification, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

Biagetti B, Araujo-Castro M.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:41-57. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.06.002. Epub 2025 Dec 3.


Acromegaly and histopathology.

Caballero GA, Ribalta T, Aldecoa I.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:293-334. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.007. Epub 2025 Nov 13.PMID: 41912298 Review.


New molecular markers of response to medical therapy in acromegaly.

Raventós A, Gil J, Marques-Pamies M, de Pedro-Campos P, Puente de la Vega C, Picó A, Lamas C, Delgado E, Menéndez E, Serra G, Bernabéu I, Villar R, Ferri J, Mariaca K, Martínez R, Marazuela M, Araujo-Castro M, Biagetti B, Jordà M, Valassi E, Puig-Domingo M; ACROMICS investigators.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:265-292. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.006. Epub 2025 Nov 12.

 

Acromegaly and genetics.

de Lapiscina IM, Baquero C, Castaño L.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:235-263. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.008. Epub 2025 Dec 16.PMID: 41912295 Review.

 

Gigantism.

Donato S, Regala C, Marques P.Vitam Horm. 2026;131:195-234. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2025.10.005. Epub 2026 Feb 16.PMID: 41912294 Review.

 

Hormonal Health

Male testosterone synthesis disorders: oxidative stress pathways, regulatory mechanisms, potential of antioxidant therapy, and botanical medicine prospects.

Wu H, Jian MT, Ning G, Li BN, Peng AJ, Wang HY, Tang X, Zhou X.Asian J Androl. 2026 Apr 3. doi: 10.4103/aja2025105. Online ahead of print.

 

From the perspective of prolactin: a view on obesity.

Wang Y, Luo D, Fang G, Ge M, Huang Y, Deng H.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 16;17:1762596. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2026.1762596. eCollection 2026.

 

Gonadotropins Across the Lifespan: Their role in the Neurodevelopment-Neurodegeneration Continuum.

Galbraith JA, Elhassan MZ, Rocha JF, Al Mozani TA, Fredericks CA.Yale J Biol Med. 2026 Mar 31;99(1):199-215. doi: 10.59249/EVST3084. eCollection 2026 Mar.

 

Neonatal Hypopituitarism.

Dayno AN, Crowley J, Bamba V, Bhoj EJK, Shekdar K, McCormack SE.Neoreviews. 2026 Apr 1;27(4):e211-e221. doi: 10.1542/neo.27-4-002.

 

Unconventional Uses of Human Growth Hormone.

Lisbona-Buzali M, Edid-Jaris G, Alegre-Lifshitz A, Mercado-Medrez S, Taniguchi-Ponciano K, Marrero-Rodriguez D, Mercado M.Arch Med Res. 2026 Mar 30;57(5):103412. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2026.103412. Online ahead of print.PMID: 41915988 Review.

 

Comment on: Oxytocin: a neglected hormone in pituitary disease – From function to the diagnosis of a deficiency, resulting clinical relevance, and potential treatment options in endocrinology.

Elia A.Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Jun 1;70(3):e260025. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2026-0025.

 

TRH can stimulate the release of two POMC-derived pituitary hormones, ACTH and MSH, in medaka.

Yamakawa M, Gajbhiye DS, Golan M, Kanda S.Endocrinology. 2026 Mar 30:bqag037. doi: 10.1210/endocr/bqag037. Online ahead of print.

 

 

 

 

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