Molecular target agents in adrenocortical carcinoma: rationale and difficulties in trial design

5th International ACC Symposium: Future and Current Therapeutic Trials in Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and complex disease associated with a high mortality rate. Despite intensive translational and clinical research, prognosis remains poor. Over the past decade, a significant effort has been made to develop multinational, collaborative studies to better understand the pathogenesis and clinical features of this rare disease in attempt to improve the therapeutic strategies and patient outcome. The results of both standard and newer treatments are discussed in this review as well as the recent discovery of pathways involved in ACC pathogenesis that provide the rationale to introduce new molecular target therapies. Finally, remaining issues regarding how to improve available therapies in adjuvant setting are raised and addressed.