Related Experiment Videos
Suramin and the human adrenocortex: results of experimental and clinical studies
K Dorfinger1, B Niederle, H Vierhapper
1Department of General and Experimental Pathology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
Abstract:
Suramin, a sulfonated drug, has been used successfully in the treatment of inoperable adrenocortical cancer. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of suramin on the basal and the adrenocorticotropin-stimulated cortisol and pregnenolone secretion and on the proliferation of primary monolayer cultures of normal human adrenocortical cells. Suramin decreases basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated cortisol secretion in a dose-dependent manner (p less than 0.05 from 0.3 mmol/L upward). At a suramin concentration of 3 mmol/L cortisol, secretion was inhibited by 70% +/- 4% in adrenocorticotropin-stimulated cells and by 42% +/- 6% in unstimulated cells. The proliferation of adrenocortical cells in response to fetal calf serum was inhibited by suramin at concentrations from 0.3 mmol/L upward, maximal suppression (71% +/- 6%; p less than 0.05) being observed at a concentration of 10 mmol/L. Neither down-regulation of cortisol secretion nor inhibition of adrenocortical cell proliferation was caused by toxicity of the compound, as could be shown by adrenocorticotropin-restimulating cortisol secretion in suramin-treated cells. The results indicate that suramin exerts an inhibitory influence on the cortisol secretion and the proliferation of normal human adrenocortical cells and may be useful in treating adrenocortical cancer.
Insights
Suramin effectively inhibits cortisol secretion and adrenocortical cell proliferation. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent for adrenocortical cancer.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Suramin is a sulfonated drug previously used for inoperable adrenocortical cancer.
- Adrenocortical cancer involves abnormal cell growth and hormone secretion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate suramin's effects on cortisol and pregnenolone secretion in normal human adrenocortical cells.
- To assess suramin's impact on the proliferation of these cells.
Main Methods:
- Primary monolayer cultures of normal human adrenocortical cells were utilized.
- Cells were treated with varying concentrations of suramin.
- Cortisol secretion and cell proliferation were measured.
Main Results:
- Suramin dose-dependently decreased basal and adrenocorticotropin-stimulated cortisol secretion.
- Significant inhibition of cortisol secretion was observed at 0.3 mmol/L suramin.
- Suramin inhibited adrenocortical cell proliferation, with maximal suppression at 10 mmol/L.
Conclusions:
- Suramin inhibits both cortisol secretion and proliferation of normal human adrenocortical cells.
- The drug's effects were not due to toxicity.
- Suramin shows promise for treating adrenocortical cancer.