The ENDO Annual Meeting, held by the Endocrine Society, presents comprehensive information on the newest treatments, studies, and clinical guidelines in areas like obesity, endocrine cancer, and diabetes. During this year’s meeting, Dr. Maria Fleseriu, MD, FACE presented on data supporting orally-administered osilodrostat for Cushing’s disease. The therapy was already approved four years ago. However, Dr. Fleseriu wanted to highlight the longer-term impact of osilodrostat use.

People with Cushing’s disease are at an increased risk of comorbidities such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. These comorbidities also heighten the risk of earlier death. Addressing ways to reduce symptoms and comorbidities not only improves patient outcomes but provides a much higher quality-of-life. In the presentation, Dr. Fleseriu presented on data from two Phase 3 clinical studies (the LINC 3 and LINC 4 studies) evaluating osilodrostat on Cushing’s disease-related comorbidities.

210 adults with Cushing’s disease participated in the study. At the study’s onset, 83% of individuals had high blood pressure, with 54% of those individuals requiring medication management. 40% of participants had diabetes, with 22% requiring medication management. The study found that:

• About 50.5% of all individuals who had high systolic or diastolic blood pressure saw blood pressure reductions within 72 weeks. Blood pressure reductions were highest in individuals who achieved partial or complete urinary-free cortisol levels in the same time period.
• Diabetes severity significantly fell in individuals taking osilodrostat. 62% lowered their HbA1c to under 6.5%.
• An approximately equal amount of people lowered or increased their high blood pressure medication, but a large majority kept the same dose.
• Alternately, only 10.7% of those with diabetes required higher medication doses. A slight majority had no dose changes, but 35.7% of participants reduced their diabetes medication burden.

What to Know About Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease, which may also be called Cushing disease, is an endocrine hormonal disorder caused by a benign pituitary tumor or pituitary growth. Normally, your pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol at normal levels. In Cushing’s disease, the pituitary gland produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The adrenal glands respond by overproducing cortisol, leading to symptoms such as:

• Weight gain around the face and trunk (with thin arms and legs)
• Fatigue
• A weakened immune system
• Stretch marks
• Increased risk of bruising
• Osteoporosis
• Muscle weakness
• High blood pressure
• Menstrual irregularities
• A fatty lump on the back of the neck or upper back
• Changes in mood such as depression or anxiety
• Memory difficulties
• Erectile dysfunction (in males)

If you have Cushing’s disease and are searching for more information, head to the Cushing’s Support & Research Foundation.