The role of 21-hydroxylase in the pathogenesis of adrenal masses: Review of the literature and focus on our own experience

An exaggerated response of 17- hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) to exogenous ACTH stimulation has been found in 30 to 70% of patients with incidentally discovered adrenal tumors, supporting the concept that congenital 21- hydroxylase deficiency may be a predisposing factor for adrenocortical tumorigenesis. Decreased expression of 21-hydroxylase gene has been observed in sporadic non-functioning adrenocortical adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas, in agreement with the reduced steroidogenic activity found in these types of tumors. Screening studies for the presence of mutations in CYP21A2 gene, encoding 21-hydroxylase, in patients with sporadic adrenocortical tumors yielded discordant results. Overall, a higher frequency of germline 21-hydroxylase mutation carriers has been found among patients with adrenal tumors, including incidentalomas, than in the general population. However, the presence of mutations did not correlate with endocrine test results and tumor mass features, suggesting that 21-hydroxylase deficiency does not represent a relevant mechanism in adrenal tumorigenesis. Mechanisms leading to reduced 21-hydroxylase expression and activity are still unknown.