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Mebendazole inhibits growth of human adrenocortical carcinoma cell lines implanted in nude mice

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Abstract

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal gland which requires new therapeutic approaches as its early diagnosis is difficult and prognosis poor despite therapies used. Recently, mebendazole has been proved to be effective against different cancers. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether mebendazole may result therapeutically useful in the treatment of human adrenocortical carcinoma. We analyzed the effect of mebendazole on human adrenocortical carcinoma cells in vitro and after implantation in nude mice. In order to clarify mechanisms of mebendazole action, metastases formation, apoptosis and angiogenesis were also investigated. Mebendazole significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, both in vitro and in vivo, the effects being due to the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, mebendazole inhibited invasion and migration of cancer cells in vitro, and metastases formation in vivo. Overall, these data suggest that treatment with mebendazole, also in combination with standard therapies, could provide a new protocol for the inhibition of adrenocortical carcinoma growth.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from Rete 7 S.p.A, via Stalingrado, 97/2, 40100 Bologna, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Via M. Scalzino 3, 62032, Camerino (Macerata), Italy

    Daniele Martarelli, Pierluigi Pompei, Caterina Baldi & Giovanni Mazzoni

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  1. Daniele Martarelli
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  2. Pierluigi Pompei
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  3. Caterina Baldi
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  4. Giovanni Mazzoni
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Correspondence to Daniele Martarelli.

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Martarelli, D., Pompei, P., Baldi, C. et al. Mebendazole inhibits growth of human adrenocortical carcinoma cell lines implanted in nude mice. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 61, 809–817 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-007-0538-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-007-0538-0

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