PACLITAXEL IS AN EFFECTIVE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE AGENT ON THE HUMAN NCI-H295 ADRENOCORTICAL CARCINOMA CELL-LINE

In view of a potential clinical use, we assessed the antiproliferative effect of paclitaxel on the human steroid-secreting NCI-H295 adrenoca rcinoma cell line. By MTT, paclitaxel induced a dose-dependent inhibit ion of cell proliferation, with IC50 lower than blood levels of the dr ug achieved in patients treated for other malignancies. Cell exposure to paclitaxel for 24 h at the different IC(50)s produced a dose-respon sive increase in DNA fragmentation, morphologically confirmed by elect ron microscopy. A time-dependent decrease in aldosterone, cortisol and testosterone was observed. Paclitaxel is an effective antiproliferati ve agent in this human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line. Apoptosis i nduced by the drug is involved in neoplastic cell death. A potential r ole of the drug in the treatment of patients with adrenocortical cance r could be considered.