Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

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…

11oxC19 steroids, which are part of the androgen family of male sex hormones, are the primary drivers of hyperandrogenemia in women with Cushing’s disease, a study has found. Hyperandrogenemia, or high levels of androgens, in women with Cushing’s can lead to menstrual problems, acne, excessive body hair, and temporary…

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…

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…

Signifor (pasireotide), a treatment for Cushing’s disease patients for whom surgery failed or is not an option, significantly reduces the size of benign pituitary tumors in more than 40% of people with the condition, according to a review of published studies. However, the researchers noted that tumor reduction was…

People with active Cushing’s disease show increased production of red blood cells due to the presence of a type of altered blood stem cell that show abnormal activation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling, a study shows. The GR is the receptor protein activated by glucocorticoids, or steroid hormones, including…

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…