Consistent with the observed MEK-162-mediated inhibition of tumor growth, decreased plasma ACTH (Mean ± SEM, plasma ACTH pg/ml: Vehicle: 1558±240; MEK-162 3.5 mg/kg: 813±128, p < 0.05; MEK-162 10 mg/kg: 919±147, p < 0.05, Figure 5C), and corticosterone levels (Mean ± SEM, plasma corticosterone μg/ml: Vehicle: 42±7; MEK-162 3.5 mg/kg: 19±3, p < 0.01; MEK-162 10 mg/kg: 22±7, Figure 5D) were seen in MEK-162 treated animals compared to control mice emphasizing the drug's potent inhibition of both corticotroph tumor growth and hormone secretion in vivo. The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is neoplasm.