Smad3 and phospho-Smad3 are potential markers of invasive nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays important roles in tumor development. Nevertheless, the roles of TGF-β/Smad signaling in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) have not been fully studied.Tumor samples were obtained from patients who had NFPAs and underwent endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery or craniotomy at Beijing Tiantan Hospital from March 2008 to December 2012. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the...