Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

Steve holds a PhD in biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada. As a medical scientist for 18 years, he worked in both academia and industry, where his research focused on the discovery of new vaccines and medicines to treat inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases. Steve is a published author in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals and a patented inventor.

Articles by Steve Bryson

Low-grade inflammation persists after removing tumors

Low-grade inflammation persisted in people with Cushing’s syndrome one year after surgery to remove disease-causing tumors that led to excess cortisol, the hallmark of the condition, a recent study revealed. High levels of inflammatory markers were associated significantly with post-surgical obesity, high blood sugar levels, and worse long-term muscle function,…

Approved Therapy Recorlev Now Wins FDA Orphan-drug Exclusivity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Xeris Pharmaceuticals orphan-drug exclusivity for Recorlev (levoketoconazole), its approved treatment for adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Orphan-drug exclusivity provides the company — which recently acquired the therapy’s developer, Strongbridge Biopharma — seven years of marketing exclusivity for Recorlev…

Study Examines Role of Hormone in Subclinical Hypercortisolism

The hormone aldosterone may contribute to high blood pressure in people with subclinical hypercortisolism — those who have high levels of cortisol due to tumors in the adrenal glands, but do not have overt symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome. Aldosterone, excessively produced and released by the adrenal glands in these patients,…

High Zinc Triggers Signs of Cushing’s in Postmenopausal Mice

High levels of dietary zinc induced signs of Cushing’s syndrome in a postmenopausal mouse model, a study suggested. Weight gain, obesity, and diabetes were also seen in postmenopausal mice fed a high-zinc diet. Tests in postmenopausal women were consistent with these findings, with higher blood zinc levels correlating with…

New Therapeutic Target Found to Suppress Pituitary Tumors

Single-cell analysis of non-cancerous pituitary gland tumors that cause Cushing’s disease identified a novel therapeutic target with the potential to suppress tumor cell growth, a study has revealed. Although cells from such tumors, called adenomas, had excess production of noxa — a protein that stimulates cell death — noxa…

Study IDs Risk Factors for Kidney Impairment After Adrenal Surgery

Researchers have identified risk factors for kidney impairment in adults with Cushing’s syndrome after they undergo surgery to remove their adrenal glands. These factors include having low pre-operative adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels or taking higher steroid replacement doses after the surgery. “Disease activity represented by ACTH levels or the steroid…