Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

Lowering excess cortisol within cells using SPI-62, an investigational treatment of Cushing’s-related conditions, did not affect urinary cortisol levels, a standard measure of therapy effectiveness in clinical trials, an analysis of previous trial data showed. “Normalized urinary free cortisol, or UFC, is a standard therapeutic target for patients with Cushing’s…

CRN04894, a first-in-class, experimental oral medication for Cushing’s disease, led to a dose-dependent drop in blood and urine cortisol levels in healthy volunteers, top-line data from a Phase 1 trial showed. According to Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, the therapy’s developer, patient studies are expected to launch later this year. In…

People with Cushing’s syndrome, a group of conditions that includes Cushing’s disease, have a three-times-higher risk of mortality compared with the general population, according to a pooled analysis of multiple studies. Preventing and managing co-existing conditions, especially cardiovascular disease, in addition to treating Cushing’s, may benefit at least half…

Using a mouse model, scientists have found that the small molecule tubastatin A may be a potential treatment for Cushing’s disease. Tubastatin A was shown to reduce the activity of genes encoding the precursor of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and to lessen the growth of ACTH-producing tumor cells isolated…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Recorlev (levoketoconazole) to treat adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome for whom surgery is not an option or has not been effective. The therapy is expected to be available in the U.S. in the coming months. To ensure access to Recorlev,…

Mutations in the KDM1A gene are responsible for the development of a rare, food-dependent form of Cushing’s syndrome, according to a recent study. “In general, rare diseases are generally underdiagnosed in clinics,” Isabelle Bourdeau, MD, the study’s co-author, said in a press release. “By identifying this new gene, we…

CRN04894, a first-in-class, investigational oral medication to treat Cushing’s disease, demonstrated pharmacologic proof-of-concept with a dose-dependent suppression of cortisol, according to data from a Phase 1 study. CRN04894, developed by Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, is designed to block the interaction (antagonist) between the MC2R receptor, found specifically on the…

A type of tumor in the brain’s pituitary gland, which causes Cushing’s disease, has been found to be more invasive, and its presence lowers the likelihood of remission following surgery. According to scientists, these study findings support the need to identify types of pituitary tumors to minimize post-surgical relapse.

Metopirone (metyrapone) safely and successfully maintained lower levels of urinary cortisol over nine months in adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, according to data from the six-month extension of the PROMPT trial.  Treatment with the HRA Pharma Rare Diseases…

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Isturisa (osilodrostat) to treat people with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome for whom pituitary brain surgery has not been effective or is not an option. Recordati…