Mitotane is an adrenal cortex inhibitor used to treat adrenocortical tumors and Cushing's syndrome. Mitotane is an adrenolytic isomer of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) - itself a metabolite of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) - that inhibits cells of the adrenal cortex and their production of hormones.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 2 references
The mechanism of action of mitotane is unknown, although data are available to suggest that the drug modifies the peripheral metabolism of steroids as well as directly suppressing the adrenal cortex. The specificity of mitotane towards the adrenal cortex may derive from the metabolic transformation to its active form via an enzyme system unique to the adrenal cortex tissue.
- Primary indication
- Mitotane is indicated for the treatment of inoperable, functional or nonfunctional, adrenocortical carcinoma.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C14H10Cl4 · 320.041 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2025 · United States, 1978 · European Union, 2016
- Code names
- CB-313 · NSC 38721 · WR-13045
- Brand names
Resolves to
JWBOIMRXGHLCPP-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESClC(Cl)C(C1=CC=C(Cl)C=C1)C1=CC=CC=C1ClWhat you can answer from here — as of September 20, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Mitotane, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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