This study presents an in vitro evaluation of the antitumor potential of a chitin-like exopolysaccharide (EPS, produced by Mortierella alpina) on Adrenocortical carcinoma cells (ACC) compared to mitotane, a commercial drug commonly used in ACC treatment, and known for its side effects. Techniques of cellular viability determination such as MTT and fluorescence were used to measure the cytotoxic effects of the EPS and mitotane in tumoral cells (H295R) and non-tumoral cells (VERO), observing high cytotoxicity of mitotane and a 10% superior pro-apoptotic effect of the EPS compared to mitotane (p < 0.05). The cytotoxic effect of the EPS was similar to the effect of 50 μM mitotane on tumoral cells (p < 0.05). A decrement of the lysosomal volume was also noted in tumoral cells treated with the EPS. To enhance the antitumor effect, a combination of mitotane at a lower dosage and the EPS (as adjuvant) was also tested, showing a slight improvement of the cytotoxicity effect on tumoral cells. Therefore, the results indicate a cytotoxic effect of the EPS produced by Mortierella alpina on adrenocortical carcinoma, and a possible application in biomedical formulations or additional treatments.

本研究对甲壳素样胞外多糖（EPS，由高山被孢霉产生）与米托坦（一种常用于 ACC 治疗的商业药物并以其副作用而闻名）对肾上腺皮质癌细胞 (ACC)的抗肿瘤潜力进行了体外评估。效果。采用MTT、荧光等细胞活力测定技术测量EPS和米托坦对肿瘤细胞（H295R）和非肿瘤细胞（VERO）的细胞毒作用，观察到米托坦的高细胞毒性和10%的优越促凋亡作用。 EPS 与米托坦相比的效果 ( p < 0.05)。EPS 的细胞毒作用与 50 μM 米托坦对肿瘤细胞的作用相似（p< 0.05)。在用 EPS 处理的肿瘤细胞中也注意到溶酶体体积的减少。为了增强抗肿瘤作用，还测试了较低剂量的米托坦和 EPS（作为佐剂）的组合，显示对肿瘤细胞的细胞毒性作用略有改善。因此，结果表明高山被孢霉产生的 EPS对肾上腺皮质癌的细胞毒性作用，以及在生物医学制剂或其他治疗中的可能应用。