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Favero V, Cremaschi A, Falchetti A, Gaudio A, Gennari L, Scillitani A, Vescini F, Morelli V, Aresta C, Chiodini I. Management and Medical Therapy of Mild Hypercortisolism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111521. [PMID: 34768949 PMCID: PMC8584167 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild hypercortisolism (mHC) is defined as an excessive cortisol secretion, without the classical manifestations of clinically overt Cushing's syndrome. This condition increases the risk of bone fragility, neuropsychological alterations, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events and mortality. At variance with Cushing's syndrome, mHC is not rare, with it estimated to be present in up to 2% of individuals older than 60 years, with higher prevalence (up to 10%) in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension and/or diabetes or with unexplainable bone fragility. Measuring cortisol after a 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test is the first-line test for searching for mHC, and the degree of cortisol suppression is associated with the presence of cortisol-related consequences and mortality. Among the additional tests used for diagnosing mHC in doubtful cases, the basal morning plasma adrenocorticotroph hormone, 24-h urinary free cortisol and/or late-night salivary cortisol could be measured, particularly in patients with possible cortisol-related complications, such as hypertension and diabetes. Surgery is considered as a possible therapeutic option in patients with munilateral adrenal incidentalomas and mHC since it improves diabetes and hypertension and reduces the fracture risk. In patients with mHC and bilateral adrenal adenomas, in whom surgery would lead to persistent hypocortisolism, and in patients refusing surgery or in whom surgery is not feasible, medical therapy is needed. Currently, promising though scarce data have been provided on the possible use of pituitary-directed agents, such as the multi-ligand somatostatin analog pasireotide or the dopamine agonist cabergoline for the-nowadays-rare patients with pituitary mHC. In the more frequently adrenal mHC, encouraging data are available for metyrapone, a steroidogenesis inhibitor acting mainly against the adrenal 11-βhydroxylase, while data on osilodrostat and levoketoconazole, other new steroidogenesis inhibitors, are still needed in patients with mHC. Finally, on the basis of promising data with mifepristone, a non-selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in patients with mild cortisol hypersecretion, a randomized placebo-controlled study is ongoing for assessing the efficacy and safety of relacorilant, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, for patients with mild adrenal hypercortisolism and diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance and/or uncontrolled systolic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Favero
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
| | - Arianna Cremaschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
| | - Alberto Falchetti
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
| | - Agostino Gaudio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Luigi Gennari
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alfredo Scillitani
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza” Hospital, IRCCS, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy;
| | - Fabio Vescini
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, University-Hospital S. M. Misericordia of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Valentina Morelli
- Unit of Endocrinology, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Carmen Aresta
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-61911-2738
| | - Iacopo Chiodini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (A.C.); (I.C.)
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20149 Milan, Italy;
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Fleseriu M, Auchus RJ, Pivonello R, Salvatori R, Zacharieva S, Biller BMK. Levoketoconazole: a novel treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2021; 16:159-174. [PMID: 34380370 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2021.1945440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare, life-threatening endocrine disorder that is caused by chronic exposure to cortisol overproduction. Levoketoconazole (Recorlev), a 2S, 4R stereoisomer of ketoconazole, is a steroidogenesis inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of CS.Areas covered: This review covers the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of levoketoconazole for the treatment of patients with endogenous CS.Expert opinion: Based on the preclinical and clinical pharmacology findings, levoketoconazole appears to be the relevant enantiomer of ketoconazole for inhibition of steroidogenesis, with more potent inhibition of both cortisol and androgen synthesis relative to ketoconazole racemate and the 2R, 4S stereoisomer dextroketoconazole. Results from the phase III SONICS study showed that levoketoconazole was effective in normalizing cortisol levels and improving biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a significant percentage of patients. In addition, treatment with levoketoconazole showed improvements in subjective clinical assessments of clinician-rated CS clinical signs and symptoms, patient-reported quality of life, and depression symptom severity. Testosterone levels decreased significantly in women. Levoketoconazole had an acceptable safety profile with no unexpected safety signals. The favorable pharmacology, efficacy, and safety profile of levoketoconazole supports its use as medical therapy for CS, if approved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Oregon Health and Science University, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Neurological Surgery, and Pituitary Center, Portland, USA
| | - Richard J Auchus
- University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Pharmacology, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Università Federico II Di Napoli, Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Sezione Di Endocrinologia, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Salvatori
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Pituitary Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Sabina Zacharieva
- Medical University-Sofia, Department of Endocrinology, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Beverly M K Biller
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center, Boston, USA
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Pivonello R, Elenkova A, Fleseriu M, Feelders RA, Witek P, Greenman Y, Geer EB, Perotti P, Saiegh L, Cohen F, Arnaldi G. Levoketoconazole in the Treatment of Patients With Cushing's Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus: Results From the SONICS Phase 3 Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:595894. [PMID: 33897615 PMCID: PMC8059833 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.595894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with numerous comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus (DM). Levoketoconazole, an orally administered ketoconazole stereoisomer, is in clinical trials for the treatment of CS. Methods SONICS, a prospective, open-label, phase 3 study in adults with confirmed CS and mean 24-h urinary free cortisol (mUFC) ≥1.5× ULN, included dose-titration, 6-month maintenance, and 6-month extension phases. This subanalysis evaluated the efficacy of levoketoconazole in patients with DM (n = 28) or without DM (n = 49) who entered the maintenance phase. Safety was evaluated in the overall population (N = 94) during the dose-titration and maintenance phases. Results Normalization of mUFC at the end of maintenance phase (EoM), without a dose increase during maintenance (SONICS primary endpoint) was observed in 46% of patients with DM (95% CI, 28 to 66%; P = 0.0006 vs null hypothesis of ≤20%) and 33% of patients without DM (95% CI, 20 to 48%; P = 0.0209). At EoM, mean HbA1c decreased from 6.9% at baseline to 6.2% in patients with DM and from 5.5 to 5.3% in patients without DM. Mean fasting blood glucose decreased from 6.85 mmol/L (123.4 mg/dl) to 5.82 mmol/L (104.9 mg/dl) and from 5.11 mmol/L (92.1 mg/dl) to 4.66 mmol/L (84.0 mg/dl) in patients with and without DM, respectively. Adverse events that were more common in patients with DM included nausea (58.3%), vomiting (19.4%), and urinary tract infection (16.7%); none prompted study drug withdrawal. Conclusions Treatment with levoketoconazole led to sustained normalization of mUFC and improvement in glycemic control that was more pronounced in patients with DM. Clinical Trial Registration (ClinicalTrials.gov), NCT01838551.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Atanaska Elenkova
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Fleseriu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, and Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Richard A. Feelders
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Przemyslaw Witek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Yona Greenman
- Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eliza B. Geer
- Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Paola Perotti
- Department of Clinical and Biological Science, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Leonard Saiegh
- Department of Endocrinology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Giorgio Arnaldi
- Division of Endocrinology, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
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Pivonello R, Ferrigno R, De Martino MC, Simeoli C, Di Paola N, Pivonello C, Barba L, Negri M, De Angelis C, Colao A. Medical Treatment of Cushing's Disease: An Overview of the Current and Recent Clinical Trials. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:648. [PMID: 33363514 PMCID: PMC7753248 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cushing's disease (CD) is a serious endocrine disorder characterized by chronic hypercortisolism, or Cushing's syndrome (CS), caused by a corticotroph pituitary tumor, which induces an excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and consequently cortisol secretion. CD presents a severe clinical burden, with impairment of the quality of life and increase in mortality. Pituitary surgery represents the first-line therapy, but it is non-curative in one third of patients, requiring additional treatments. Among second-line treatments, medical therapy is gradually gaining importance, although the current medical treatments are unable to reach optimal efficacy and safety profile. Therefore, new drugs and new formulations of presently available drugs are currently under clinical investigation in international clinical trials, in order to assess their efficacy and safety in CD, or in the general population of CS. Among pituitary-directed agents, pasireotide, in the twice-daily subcutaneous formulation, has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment both in clinical trials and in real-world studies, and extension studies of the phase II and III clinical trials reported evidence of long-term efficacy with general good safety profile, although associated with frequent hyperglycemia, which requires monitoring of glucose metabolism. Moreover, the most recent once-monthly intramuscular formulation, pasireotide long-acting release (LAR), showed similar efficacy and safety, but associated with potential better compliance profile in CD. Roscovitine is an experimental drug currently under investigation. Among adrenal-directed agents, metyrapone is the only historical agent currently under investigation in a prospective, multicenter, international clinical trial, that would likely clarify its efficacy and safety in a large population of patients with CS. Osilodrostat, a novel agent with a mechanism of action similar to metyrapone, seems to offer a rapid, sustained, and effective disease control of CD, according to recently completed clinical trials, whereas levoketoconazole, a different chemical formulation of the historical agent ketoconazole, is still under investigation in clinical trials, with preliminary evidences showing an effective and safe control of CS. ATR-101 is an experimental drug currently under investigation. Among glucocorticoid receptor-directed drugs, mifepristone has been demonstrated to improve clinical syndrome and comorbidities, especially hypertension and impairment of glucose metabolism, but the occurrence of hypokalemia and in women uterine disorders, due to the concomitant action on progestin receptor, requires caution, whereas the preliminary evidence on relacorilant, characterized by high selectivity for glucocorticoid receptor, suggested good efficacy in the control of hypertension and impairment of glucose metabolism, as well as a good safety profile, in CS. Finally, a limited experience has demonstrated that combination therapy might be an interesting approach in the management of CD. The current review provides a summary of the available evidences from current and recent clinical trials on CD, with a specific focus on preliminary data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Ferrigno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina De Martino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Simeoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Paola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Livia Barba
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Negri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina De Angelis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Munkboel CH, Rasmussen TB, Elgaard C, Olesen MLK, Kretschmann AC, Styrishave B. The classic azole antifungal drugs are highly potent endocrine disruptors in vitro inhibiting steroidogenic CYP enzymes at concentrations lower than therapeutic Cmax. Toxicology 2019; 425:152247. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.152247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Barbot M, Ceccato F, Scaroni C. Diabetes Mellitus Secondary to Cushing's Disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:284. [PMID: 29915558 PMCID: PMC5994748 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Associated with important comorbidities that significantly reduce patients' overall wellbeing and life expectancy, Cushing's disease (CD) is the most common cause of endogenous hypercortisolism. Glucocorticoid excess can lead to diabetes, and although its prevalence is probably underestimated, up to 50% of patients with CD have varying degrees of altered glucose metabolism. Fasting glycemia may nevertheless be normal in some patients in whom glucocorticoid excess leads primarily to higher postprandial glucose levels. An oral glucose tolerance test should thus be performed in all CD patients to identify glucose metabolism abnormalities. Since diabetes mellitus (DM) is a consequence of cortisol excess, treating CD also serves to alleviate impaired glucose metabolism. Although transsphenoidal pituitary surgery remains the first-line treatment for CD, it is not always effective and other treatment strategies may be necessary. This work examines the main features of DM secondary to CD and focuses on antidiabetic drugs and how cortisol-lowering medication affects glucose metabolism.
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Scaroni C, Zilio M, Foti M, Boscaro M. Glucose Metabolism Abnormalities in Cushing Syndrome: From Molecular Basis to Clinical Management. Endocr Rev 2017; 38:189-219. [PMID: 28368467 DOI: 10.1210/er.2016-1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An impaired glucose metabolism, which often leads to the onset of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a common complication of chronic exposure to exogenous and endogenous glucocorticoid (GC) excess and plays an important part in contributing to morbidity and mortality in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS). This article reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of changes in glucose metabolism associated with hypercortisolism, addressing both the pathophysiological aspects and the clinical and therapeutic implications. Chronic hypercortisolism may have pleiotropic effects on all major peripheral tissues governing glucose homeostasis. Adding further complexity, both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms are directly induced by GCs in a context-specific and cell-/organ-dependent manner. In this paper, the discussion focuses on established and potential pathologic molecular mechanisms that are induced by chronically excessive circulating levels of GCs and affect glucose homeostasis in various tissues. The management of patients with CS and DM includes treating their hyperglycemia and correcting their GC excess. The effects on glycemic control of various medical therapies for CS are reviewed in this paper. The association between DM and subclinical CS and the role of screening for CS in diabetic patients are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Scaroni
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale 105, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Zilio
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale 105, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Foti
- Department of Cell Physiology & Metabolism, Centre Médical Universitaire, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Genèva, Switzerland
| | - Marco Boscaro
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, DIMED, University of Padova, Via Ospedale 105, 35128 Padua, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a rare disease that results from exposure to high levels of cortisol; Cushing's disease (CD) is the most frequent form of CS. Patients with CS suffer from a variety of comorbidities that increase the risk of mortality. Surgical resection of the disease-causing lesion is generally the first-line treatment of CS. However, some patients may not be eligible for surgery due to comorbidities, and approximately 25 % of patients, especially those with CD, have recurrent disease. For these patients, adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors may control cortisol elevation and subsequent symptomatology. CS is rare overall, and clinical studies of adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors are often small and, in many cases, data are limited regarding the efficacy and safety of these treatments. Our aim was to better characterize the profiles of efficacy and safety of currently available adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, including drugs currently in development. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the literature regarding adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, focusing on novel drugs. RESULTS Currently available adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, including ketoconazole, metyrapone, etomidate, and mitotane, have variable efficacy and significant side effects, and none are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for CS. Therefore, there is a clear need for novel, prospectively studied agents that have greater efficacy and a low rate of adverse side effects. Efficacy and safety data of current and emerging adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors, including osilodrostat (LCI699) and levoketoconazole (COR-003), show promising results that will have to be confirmed in larger-scale phase 3 studies (currently ongoing). CONCLUSIONS The management of CS, and particularly CD, remains challenging. Adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors can be of major interest to control the hypercortisolism at any time point, either before or after surgery, as discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Departments of Medicine and Neurological Surgery, and Northwest Pituitary Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Mail Code: CH8N, 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Frederic Castinetti
- Aix Marseille University, CNRS, CRN2M, Department of Endocrinology, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
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Ma L, Yin L, Hu Q. Therapeutic compounds for Cushing's syndrome: a patent review (2012-2016). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 26:1307-1323. [PMID: 27454103 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2016.1217331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a set of disorders caused by chronic exposure to excess glucocorticoids induced by neuroendocrine tumors in pituitary, adrenals, and infrequently other sites (ectopic ACTH syndrome). Due to various comorbidities, CS patients exhibit higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and thus increased mortality. Pharmaceutical therapy is an important constituent of treatment regimen. Areas covered: Patents published since 2012 are reviewed, which claim therapeutic compounds interfering with ACTH secretion and down-stream signal transduction, inhibiting cortisol biosynthesis and antagonizing glucocorticoid receptors. Advances focus on a) new analogues with improved efficacy and PK properties or less off-target toxicity; b) existing drugs (candidates) being repurposed to treat CS; and c) novel strategies such as selective inhibition of CYP11B1. Expert opinion: New compounds against established targets need to be developed because current drugs lack selectivity leading to off-target toxicity. Selective inhibition of CYP11B1 is a novel alternative strategy and is potentially versatile in controlling all types of hypercortisolism. Selective multi-targeting enzymes in steroidogenesis network is promising due to potential synergistic effects. However, doses toward each targets are not feasible to adjust because the corresponding intrinsic potencies are rigid. Targeting PRKACA mutations is promising in treating CS caused by adrenal adenomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- a College of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou , China PR
| | | | - Qingzhong Hu
- c Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Considering the effects of uncontrolled hypercortisolism on morbidity and mortality, there is a clear need for effective medical therapy for patients with Cushing's disease (CD). Therefore, the search for new medical effective tools remains active, and already promising results have been obtained. AREAS COVERED The importance of the design and conduct of trials to validate old drugs or to test new compounds is discussed. The results of the ongoing clinical trials, targeting the specific properties of drugs, such as ketoconazole, LCI699, mifepristone, etomidate and pasireotide, are also reported. The authors also emphasise the advantages and drawbacks of each particular drug, and the potential combined use of agents with complementary mechanisms of action. EXPERT OPINION CD is an excellent example of a situation where effective therapy is essential, but where the balance of risk and benefit must be carefully judged. Metyrapone is the drug of choice when rapid control of the hypercortisolaemia is required, ketoconazole represents a good second-line drug, although in the future LCI699 may be a better alternative. Mifepristone can also be used in the rare situation when previous drugs are inappropriate. Etomidate is useful where immediate parenteral action is required. For drugs working directly on the pituitary, cabergoline is occasionally effective and pasireotide can be attempted in patients with mild CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Guelho
- a 1 Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of Coimbra Hospital and University Centre , Portugal
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Daniel E, Newell-Price JDC. Therapy of endocrine disease: steroidogenesis enzyme inhibitors in Cushing's syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol 2015; 172:R263-80. [PMID: 25637072 DOI: 10.1530/eje-14-1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Steroidogenesis enzyme inhibitors are the mainstay of medical therapy in Cushing's syndrome (CS). Ketoconazole (KTZ) and metyrapone are the most commonly used agents. Although there is considerable experience of their use in individual specialist centres, these drugs have not been rigorously tested in prospective clinical trials. Clinicians face uncertainties and concerns with respect to the safety profile of these agents, and best means to monitor effect. We review steroidogenesis inhibitors in the management of CS, including older agents (KTZ, metyrapone, etomidate and mitotane) and those currently under development (LCI699, non-racemic KTZ), and offer a practical approach for their use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Daniel
- Department of Human MetabolismAcademic Unit of EndocrinologyDepartment of Endocrinology, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - John D C Newell-Price
- Department of Human MetabolismAcademic Unit of EndocrinologyDepartment of Endocrinology, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
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Novotná A, Krasulová K, Bartoňková I, Korhoňová M, Bachleda P, Anzenbacher P, Dvořák Z. Dual effects of ketoconazole cis-enantiomers on CYP3A4 in human hepatocytes and HepG2 Cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111286. [PMID: 25343516 PMCID: PMC4208844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antifungal drug ketoconazole causes severe drug-drug interactions by influencing gene expression and catalytic activity of major drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 CYP3A4. Ketoconazole is administered in the form of racemic mixture of two cis-enantiomers, i.e. (+)-ketoconazole and (−)-ketoconazole. Many enantiopure drugs were introduced to human pharmacotherapy in last two decades. In the current paper, we have examined the effects of ketoconazole cis-enantiomers on the expression of CYP3A4 in human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells and on catalytic activity of CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. We show that both ketoconazole enantiomers induce CYP3A4 mRNA and protein in human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. Gene reporter assays revealed partial agonist activity of ketoconazole enantiomers towards pregnane X receptor PXR. Catalytic activity of CYP3A4/5 towards two prototypic substrates of CYP3A enzymes, testosterone and midazolam, was determined in presence of both (+)-ketoconazole and (−)-ketoconazole in human liver microsomes. Overall, both ketoconazole cis-enantiomers induced CYP3A4 in human cells and inhibited CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. While interaction of ketoconazole with PXR and induction of CYP3A4 did not display enantiospecific pattern, inhibition of CYP3A4 catalytic activity by ketoconazole differed for ketoconazole cis-enantiomers ((+)-ketoconazole IC50 1.69 µM, Ki 0.92 µM for testosterone, IC50 1.46 µM, Ki 2.52 µM for midazolam; (−)-ketoconazole IC50 0.90 µM, Ki 0.17 µM for testosterone, IC50 1.04 µM, Ki 1.51 µM for midazolam).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Novotná
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Krasulová
- Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Bartoňková
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Korhoňová
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bachleda
- 2 Department of Surgery, University Hospital Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Anzenbacher
- Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Dvořák
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Enantiospecific effects of ketoconazole on aryl hydrocarbon receptor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101832. [PMID: 25000292 PMCID: PMC4084896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Azole antifungal ketoconazole (KET) was demonstrated to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Since clinically used KET is a racemic mixture of two cis-enantiomers (2R,4S)-(+)-KET and (2S,4R)-(-)-KET, we examined the effects of KET enantiomers on AhR signaling pathway. (+)-KET dose-dependently activated AhR in human gene reporter cell line AZ-AHR, and displayed 5-20× higher agonist activity (efficacy), as compared to (-)-KET; both enantiomers were AhR antagonists with equal potency (IC50). Consistently, (+)-KET strongly induced CYP1A1 mRNA and protein in human HepG2 cells, while (-)-KET exerted less than 10% of (+)-KET activity. In primary human hepatocytes, both enantiomers preferentially induced CYP1A2 over CYP1A1 mRNA and protein, and the potency of (+)-KET was slightly higher as compared to (-)-KET. Ligand binding assay with guinea pig liver cytosols revealed that both (+)-KET and (-)-KET are weak ligands of AhR that displaced [3H]-TCDD with comparable potency. Similarly, both enantiomers weakly transformed AhR to DNA-binding form with similar potency, as showed by EMSA, in guinea pig liver cytosolic extracts and nuclear extracts from mouse Hepa-1 cells. We also examined effects of KET on glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a regulator of AhR activity. Both KET enantiomers antagonized GR with similar potency, as revealed by gene reporter assay in AZ-GR cell line and down-regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA in human hepatocytes. Finally, we demonstrate enantiospecific antifungal activities of KET enantiomers in six Candida spp. strains. In conclusion, the significance of current study is providing the first evidence of enatiospecific effects of cis-enantiomers of ketoconazole on AhR-CYP1A pathway.
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Hille UE, Zimmer C, Haupenthal J, Hartmann RW. Optimization of the First Selective Steroid-11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cortisol Dependent Diseases. ACS Med Chem Lett 2011; 2:559-64. [PMID: 24900349 DOI: 10.1021/ml100283h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CYP11B1 is the key enzyme in cortisol biosynthesis, and its inhibition with selective compounds is a promising strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with elevated cortisol levels, such as Cushing's syndrome or metabolic disease. Expanding on a previous study from our group resulting in the first potent and rather selective inhibitor described so far (1, IC50 = 152 nM), we herein describe further optimizations of the imidazolylmethyl pyridine core. Five compounds among the 42 substances synthesized showed IC50 values below 50 nM. Most interesting was the naphth-1-yl compound 23 (IC50 = 42 nM), showing a 49-fold selectivity toward the highly homologous CYP11B2 (1: 18-fold) as well as selectivity toward the androgen and estrogen forming enzymes CYP17 and CYP19, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike E. Hille
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University & Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Campus C2 3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Christina Zimmer
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University & Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Campus C2 3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jörg Haupenthal
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University & Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Campus C2 3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Rolf W. Hartmann
- Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University & Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Campus C2 3, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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Hamdy DA, Brocks DR. The effect of increased lipoprotein levels on the pharmacokinetics of ketoconazole enantiomers in the rat. Xenobiotica 2010; 41:137-43. [DOI: 10.3109/00498254.2010.529178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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