Medical Therapies of Cushing's Disease-Part 1

Abstract

Cushing's disease (CD) is an endogenous hypercortisolism state caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting pituitary adenoma. CD is associated with vast comorbidities and has a significant detrimental effect on quality of life as well as longevity. First line treatment for CD is transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) while medical therapy is an important second line treatment in cases of TSS failure or infeasibility. Current existing medications for CD target different processes related to CD including the corticotroph adenoma, cortisol adrenal manufacturing mechanisms, and glucocorticoid receptor blockage and widely differ in advantages as well as adverse effects. In depth acquaintance with the specific characteristics of each drug is needed in order to provide patients with the appropriate therapy according to their specific needs.

Keywords: Corticotroph adenoma; Cushing medications; Cushing second line therapy; Cushing’s disease; Medical therapy; Steroidogenesis inhibitors.