Mitotane-Driven Apoptosis in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Molecular Insight

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the responses of antiapoptotic BCL-2 and proapoptotic BID genes to Mitotane and other chemotherapy drugs in Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC) cells. The objective was to understand the impact of these drugs on apoptosis-related genes in ACC, shedding light on potential treatment pathways. Materials and Methods: The study involved the use of ACC cells to assess gene expressions in response to Mitotane, Etoposide, and Cisplatin treatment. Gene expression levels of BCL-2 and BID were measured after drug exposure, providing insights into the modulation of apoptosis pathways by Rt-qPCR. Results: The results demonstrated that Mitotane notably affected the expression of the proapoptotic BID gene in ACC cells, promoting apoptosis. In contrast, Etoposide and Cisplatin exhibited less consistent effects, with Cisplatin increasing the antiapoptotic BCL-2 gene and decreasing the proapoptotic BID gene compared to Mitotane. Conclusion: This study revealed that Mitotane, as well as other chemotherapy drugs, influences the expression of key apoptosis-related genes in ACC cells. Mitotane showed a significant effect on the proapoptotic BID gene, indicating its potential as a treatment option for ACC. The findings suggest that Mitotane impacts ACC cells through multiple apoptosis pathways, highlighting its significance in ACC therapy.