Expression of Endothelin-1 by Adrenocortical Carcinoma: a New Target for Anti-Cancer Therapy ?

Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare neoplasm with poor prognosis. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, but has never been studied in this neoplasm. A 76-year-old woman with Cushing’s syndrome due adrenocortical carcinoma was operated on and the tumour removed was studied by immunohistochemistry for ET-1. Patient history illustrates the poor prognosis of this cancer that became metastatic after one year. Immunohistochemical studies disclosed a strong expression of ET-1 by adrenocortical carcinoma cells. As shown in other cancers, ET-1 expression by adrenocortical carcinoma may suggest a pathogenic role of ET-1 in tumorigenesis that possibly could be countered by ET-1 receptor antagonists. These agents could open new therapeutic perspectives to treat a carcinoma known to have a poor prognosis.

Key Words:

• Adrenocortical carcinoma
• Cushing’s syndrome
• endothelin-1

Additional information

Notes on contributors

J. E. Donckiei

Prof. Julian Donckier Internal Medicine and Endocrinology University Hospital of Mont-Godinne B-5530 Yvoir, Belgium Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]