title: Role of the PPAR-γ system in normal and tumoral pituitary corticotropic cells and adrenal cells.
abstract: PPAR-γ is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors, whose thiazolidinedione ligands (TZD) have been recently demonstrated to also possess anticancer properties in addition to their well-known insulin-sensitizer and glucose/lipid regulation activity. In this minireview, we summarize the current knowledge on PPAR-γ in normal and tumoral corticotropic pituitary and adrenal cells. The receptor expression has been shown in ACTH-secreting cells in both normal and adenomal pituitary as well as in normal and tumor adrenal cortex. Preclinical studies conducted both in vitro on tumor cells and in vivo on xenograft tumor models obtained by subcutaneous injection of cancer cells have evidenced the anticancer properties of TZD, in particular rosiglitazone (RGZ) and pioglitazone (PIO). In both pituitary and adrenocortical cancer, RGZ treatment results in inhibition of cell proliferation, through G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest and induction of cell apoptosis, leading to significant inhibition of tumor growth in the xenograft tumor models. In addition, since RGZ can reduce ACTH and corticosterone secretion in mouse corticotropic pituitary tumors, both RGZ and PIO have been used in the treatment of Cushing's disease with variable but generally unsatisfactory results. Discrepancies in the antitumor effects of TZD observed between successful preclinical and unsuccessful clinical studies may be particularly due to differences in treatment duration and doses used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence and Istituto Toscano Tumori, Florence, Italy. m.mannelli@dfc.unifi.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mannelli
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cantini
authors.forename: Giada
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangoni
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nesi
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Canu
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rapizzi
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borgogni
authors.forename: Tonino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ercolino
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piccini
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luconi
mesh_terms: D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D052680:Corticotrophs / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D047748:Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077205:Pioglitazone