TY - JOUR
T1 - Mitotane therapy in adrenocortical cancer induces CYP3A4 and inhibits 5α-reductase, explaining the need for personalized glucocorticoid and androgen replacement
AU - Chortis, Vasileios
AU - Taylor, Angela E.
AU - Schneider, Petra
AU - Tomlinson, Jeremy W.
AU - Hughes, Beverly A.
AU - O'Neil, Donna M.
AU - Libé, Rossella
AU - Allolio, Bruno
AU - Bertagna, Xavier
AU - Bertherat, Jérôme
AU - Beuschlein, Felix
AU - Fassnacht, Martin
AU - Karavitaki, Niki
AU - Mannelli, Massimo
AU - Mantero, Franco
AU - Opocher, Giuseppe
AU - Porfiri, Emilio
AU - Quinkler, Marcus
AU - Sherlock, Mark
AU - Terzolo, Massimo
AU - Nightingale, Peter
AU - Shackleton, Cedric H L
AU - Stewart, Paul M.
AU - Hahner, Stefanie
AU - Arlt, Wiebke
PY - 2013/1
Y1 - 2013/1
N2 - Context: Mitotane [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2- dichloroethane] is the first-line treatment for metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and is also regularly used in the adjuvant setting after presumed complete removal of the primary tumor. Mitotane is considered an adrenolytic substance, but there is limited information on distinct effects on steroidogenesis. However, adrenal insufficiency and male hypogonadism are widely recognized side effects of mitotane treatment. Objective: Our objective was to define the impact of mitotane treatment on in vivo steroidogenesis in patients with ACC. Setting and Design: At seven European specialist referral centers for adrenal tumors, we analyzed 24-h urine samples (n = 127) collected from patients with ACC before and during mitotane therapy in the adjuvant setting (n = 23) or for metastatic ACC (n = 104). Urinary steroid metabolite excretion was profiled by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in comparison with healthy controls (n = 88). Results: We found a sharp increase in the excretion of 6β-hydroxycortisol over cortisol (P <0.001), indicative of a strong induction of the major drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4. The contribution of 6β-hydroxycortisol to total glucocorticoid metabolites increased from 2%(median, interquartile range 1-4%) to 56% (39-71%) during mitotane treatment. Furthermore, we documented strong inhibition of systemic 5α-reductase activity, indicated by a significant decrease in 5α-reduced steroids, including 5α-tetrahydrocortisol, 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone, and androsterone (all P <0.001). The degree of inhibition was similar to that in patients with inactivating 5α-reductase type 2 mutations (n = 23) and patients receiving finasteride (n = 5), but cluster analysis of steroid data revealed a pattern of inhibition distinct from these two groups. Longitudinal data showed rapid onset and long-lasting duration of the observed effects. Conclusions: Cytochrome P450 3A4 induction by mitotane results in rapid inactivation of more than 50% of administered hydrocortisone, explaining the need for doubling hydrocortisone replacement in mitotane-treated patients. Strong inhibition of 5α-reductase activity is in line with the clinical observation of relative inefficiency of testosterone replacement in mitotane-treated men, calling for replacement by 5α-reduced androgens.
AB - Context: Mitotane [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2- dichloroethane] is the first-line treatment for metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and is also regularly used in the adjuvant setting after presumed complete removal of the primary tumor. Mitotane is considered an adrenolytic substance, but there is limited information on distinct effects on steroidogenesis. However, adrenal insufficiency and male hypogonadism are widely recognized side effects of mitotane treatment. Objective: Our objective was to define the impact of mitotane treatment on in vivo steroidogenesis in patients with ACC. Setting and Design: At seven European specialist referral centers for adrenal tumors, we analyzed 24-h urine samples (n = 127) collected from patients with ACC before and during mitotane therapy in the adjuvant setting (n = 23) or for metastatic ACC (n = 104). Urinary steroid metabolite excretion was profiled by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in comparison with healthy controls (n = 88). Results: We found a sharp increase in the excretion of 6β-hydroxycortisol over cortisol (P <0.001), indicative of a strong induction of the major drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4. The contribution of 6β-hydroxycortisol to total glucocorticoid metabolites increased from 2%(median, interquartile range 1-4%) to 56% (39-71%) during mitotane treatment. Furthermore, we documented strong inhibition of systemic 5α-reductase activity, indicated by a significant decrease in 5α-reduced steroids, including 5α-tetrahydrocortisol, 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone, and androsterone (all P <0.001). The degree of inhibition was similar to that in patients with inactivating 5α-reductase type 2 mutations (n = 23) and patients receiving finasteride (n = 5), but cluster analysis of steroid data revealed a pattern of inhibition distinct from these two groups. Longitudinal data showed rapid onset and long-lasting duration of the observed effects. Conclusions: Cytochrome P450 3A4 induction by mitotane results in rapid inactivation of more than 50% of administered hydrocortisone, explaining the need for doubling hydrocortisone replacement in mitotane-treated patients. Strong inhibition of 5α-reductase activity is in line with the clinical observation of relative inefficiency of testosterone replacement in mitotane-treated men, calling for replacement by 5α-reduced androgens.
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U2 - 10.1210/jc.2012-2851
DO - 10.1210/jc.2012-2851
M3 - Article
C2 - 23162091
AN - SCOPUS:84872085592
VL - 98
SP - 161
EP - 171
JO - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
JF - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
SN - 0021-972X
IS - 1
ER -