German researchers identify new drivers of adrenal cancer: study

German cancer researchers have identified new genetic drivers of adrenal cancer in cooperation with the international Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, according to a study published online Wednesday.

A team led by researchers from the University of Wuerzburg collected and analyzed more than 90 samples of adrenal cortical cancer, a rare cancer originating in the cortex of the adrenal gland.

The results have been published in the magazine Cancer Cell.

The study identified several new genes that lead to the formation of adrenal cortex cancer, according to the University of Wuerzburg.

"These data have implications for the diagnosis and prognosis of adrenal cortex cancer. They allow us to look deep into the biology of the disease and to understand how these new gene mutations contribute to adrenal tumor formation and the progression of the disease," said Martin Fassnacht, head of endocrinology at the University Clinic Wuerzburg and European coordinator of the study.

Meanwhile, the researchers also identified three different subtypes of adrenal cortex cancer based on their molecular changes.

These subtypes were associated with different survival rates of patients, which suggests that molecular biomarkers could be used to identify patients who are likely to have a more aggressive form of the disease. These patients may thus benefit from better adapted therapy.

"Our findings represent the most complete characterization of adrenocortical carcinomas and could be the key to a successful therapy," said Silviu Sbiera, one of the participating scientific hormone researchers from Wuerzburg. Endit