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Topic: Neuroendocrinology and Pituitary
Session Type: Symposium

SY01 - When Benign Isn’t Harmless: Revisiting Aggressiveness and Extrasellar Spread in Pituitary Adenomas

Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM CT
Location: Room W184ABC

    Symposium Chair(s)

  • Shlomo Melmed, MD

    Professor & Dean
    Academic Affairs
    Cedars Sinai Medical Center
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant disclosure to display

  • Rafael Batista, MD PhD (he/him/his)

    Doctor
    Endorinology
    Universidade de Sao Paulo
    Sao Paulo SP, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Disclosure(s):
Shlomo Melmed, MB ChB: No relevant disclosure to display
Rafael Loch Batista, MD PhD: No financial relationships to disclose
Etienne Lefevre, M.D., Ph.D.: No financial relationships to disclose
Qilin Zhang, M.D., PhD: No financial relationships to disclose
Vivianne Tabar, MD: No relevant disclosure to display

Pituitary adenomas arise from anterior pituitary hormone-producing cells and are traditionally classified as benign. However, a subset exhibits clinically significant aggressiveness and invasive behavior. Recently identified molecular drivers are reshaping our understanding of tumor progression beyond conventional histopathology. Extension beyond the sella turcica, particularly into the cavernous sinus, poses major therapeutic challenges. The close proximity to critical neurovascular structures often limits surgical curability and increases the risk of recurrence. Deciphering the cellular programs and signaling pathways underlying pituitary adenoma behavior, through integrated multi-omics approaches, is essential to develop precision therapies that prevent progression and improve long-term outcomes. This symposium brings together leading experts to discuss the concept of "benign" pituitary adenomas in the era of molecular oncology and multi-omics, bridging mechanistic insights with clinical translation.

Presentations:

  • 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM CT
    Molecular Engines of Pituitary Adenoma Aggressiveness

    Symposium Speaker: Eliza B. Geer, MD – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  • 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM CT
    Gateways to Invasion: How Pituitary Tumors Breach the Cavernous Sinus

    Symposium Speaker: Etienne Lefevre, MD, PhD – GROUPE HOSPITAL PITIE-SALPETRIERE

  • 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM CT
    Molecular Biomarkers of Aggressiveness in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors: From Early Detection to Targeted Therapy

    Symposium Speaker: Qilin Zhang, MD, PhD, MMSc (he/him/his) – Huashan Hospital & Mass General Brigham