News

A combination of medications that inhibit steroidogenesis — the process by which the body produces steroid hormones, like cortisol, from cholesterol — can be used to treat people with Cushing’s syndrome, allowing for adequate control of their cortisol levels until surgery, a case report highlighted. Such combinations may be especially…

A mediastinal paraganglioma, an extremely rare tumor located between the lungs, was found to be the cause of Cushing’s syndrome in a 40-year-old Chinese policeman, according to a recent case report. Doctors were particularly challenged by this case because the patient also had a pituitary tumor, which could have been…

In pregnant women, changes in DNA methylation — a chemical modification used to tone down gene expression or activity — may worsen Cushing’s syndrome caused by adrenal tumors, a study reported. Findings indicate these chemical changes cause tumors to grow faster and become larger in pregnant patients compared with patients…

Xeris Pharmaceuticals has selected the specialty pharmacy PANTHERx Rare to distribute Recorlev (levoketoconazole), the company’s therapy that was recently approved to treat adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome in whom surgery is not possible or not effective. “PANTHERx is proud to partner with Xeris to address the needs of adults…

Due to its effects on heart tissue, high levels of cortisol, like those seen in Cushing’s syndrome, may play a role in the development of cardiomyopathies — diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body —…

A team of researchers in China have identified, for the first time, a tumor cell that produces both adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) — two hormones that promote excess cortisol levels and the development of Cushing’s syndrome. Specifically, this unique cell type was found in a rare…

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,…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) asks Americans to plan ahead to participate in the Light Up for Rare campaign to raise awareness of rare diseases. NORD is the U.S. sponsor for Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. The annual awareness day spotlights approximately 7,000…

A generalized skin infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae — a rapidly growing type of bacteria — may be a manifestation of an impaired immune system due to Cushing’s disease linked to high cortisol hormone levels caused by an ACTH-producing tumor, a case report shows. The case highlights the need…

People with Cushing’s syndrome who have an increased percentage of a specific type of white blood cells, called neutrophils — which are involved in inflammation and act as the first line of defense against bacteria and other organisms — are at greater risk of developing diabetes mellitus, according…