Clinical Studies
LINC 3 was a phase 3 trial that included an open-label, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled withdrawal period.1,3
Inclusion criteria1,3
- Patients aged 18-75 years with a confirmed diagnosis of persistent, recurrent, or de novo (if not surgical candidates) Cushing's syndrome (CS)1,3
- Confirmed CS as determined by mUFC >1.5 x ULN at screening3
- Patients with a history of pituitary surgery had to be at least 30 days post surgery1
- Evidence of a pituitary source of excess ACTH1
Baseline characteristics1,3
- Mean age at enrollment was 41 years1,3
- 77% of patients were female1,3
- 88% of enrolled patients had previous surgery1,3
- Mean mUFC at baseline was 365 μg/24 hr (~7 x ULN)3
- Median mUFC was 173 μg/24 hr (~3.5 x ULN)3
ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
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Dose was up- or down-titrated every 2 weeks if mUFC was greater than ULN (defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h) or if mUFC was lower than LLN (defined as 11 nmol/24 h or 4 μg/24 h), respectively.1
Dose adjustments were permitted during study period 2.1
Patients who did not require further dose increase, tolerated the drug, and had mUFC levels ≤ULN at week 24 were considered responders and eligible to enter the randomized withdrawal period. Patients whose mUFC became elevated during the maintenance period could have their dose increased further, if tolerated, up to 30 mg twice daily. These patients were considered nonresponders and did not enter the randomized withdrawal period, but continued open-label treatment together with the patients who did not achieve normal mUFC levels at week 12.3
Patients remained on assigned dose throughout the randomized withdrawal period if their mUFC levels were WNL. Blinded dose reduction or temporary discontinuation for safety or tolerability issues were permitted; however, dose increases were not permitted. Patients with mUFC levels >1.5 x ULN or who required a dose increase were considered nonresponders and discontinued from the randomized withdrawal period, but allowed to receive open-label treatment during the open-label period.3
LLN, lower limit of normal; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; UFC, urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal; WNL, within normal limits.
ISTURISA maintained normalization of mUFC in a majority (86%) of patients in the randomized withdrawal period3
Demonstrated superiority over placebo at maintaining mUFC ≤ULN at the end of the randomized withdrawal period (N=71, Difference 57% [95% CI: 38-76]; P<.001).3
PRIMARY ENDPOINT1,3
Complete responder rate after 8-week randomized withdrawal period (week 34)a
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mUFC, Randomized withdrawal period (week 26-34)

(31/36) of patients who received ISTURISA maintained mUFC levels ≤ULN
Complete response rate
Value at randomized withdrawal baseline
Last value on randomly assigned treatment

(10/34) of patients who received placebo maintained mUFC levels ≤ULN
Complete response rate
Value at randomized withdrawal baseline
Last value on randomly assigned treatment
Complete responder rate was the percentage of patients who had mUFC levels ≤ULN (defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h) at the end of the randomized withdrawal period (week 34) and who neither discontinued randomized treatment or the study nor had any dose increase above their week 26 dose.1,3
CI, confidence interval; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
ISTURISA may rapidly normalize mUFC levels1,a
More than half of patients maintained normalized mUFC with ISTURISA at the therapeutic dose established during the titration period.1,a
KEY SECONDARY ENDPOINT1,3
Complete responder rate at week 24 (end of maintenance period) without up-titration after week 12b
(72/137; 95% CI, 43.9-61.1) of patients who received ISTURISA maintained mUFC ≤ULN at week 24 without dose up-titration after week 121,3
- The lower bound of the 95% CI exceeded 30%, the prespecified threshold for statistical significance and minimum threshold for clinical benefit3
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SECONDARY ENDPOINT1,c
Irrespective of dose increase
68%
(93/137) of patients achieved mUFC ≤ULN at week 24 (prespecified endpoint)
The ULN for UFC was defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h.1
Complete responder rate was the percentage of patients who had mUFC levels ≤ULN (defi ned as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h).1,3
The study was not powered to assess statistical significance in non-key secondary endpoints and no defi nitive conclusions can be drawn.
CI, confidence interval; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; UFC, urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
Post hoc analysis: additional analyses indicate other signs of improvement with ISTURISA.1
96%
(132/137) of patients achieved cortisol normalization at least once during the study
41 days
The median time to first complete response (mUFC ≤ULN)d was
These data were not included in primary or secondary endpoint analyses and were assessed post hoc; therefore, no definitive conclusions should be drawn.1,3
ISTURISA sustained normal mUFC up to 48 weeks in a majority of
patients.3
Mean mUFC decreased rapidly
during the titration period, then remained below baseline through week 48.4,a
48-WEEK STUDY Secondary ENDPOINT1,3
(ITT analysis, end of open-label period)
of patients who received ISTURISA maintained mUFC levels ≤ (91/137; 95% CI, 57.9-74.3)3,6
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- Average daily ISTURISA dose for all patients through 48 weeks was 10 mg/d6,b
- The study was not powered to assess statistical significance in non-key secondary endpoints and no definitive conclusions can be drawn
Patients who received ISTURISA had an open-label titration period (weeks 1-12), then a maintenance period (weeks 13-24), and a randomized withdrawal period (weeks 26-34). Patients could participate in an open-label period (weeks 34-48) if they had mUFC ≤ULN at week 24 without a dose increase after week 12.1
Among patients who were ineligible for the randomized withdrawal period, the average daily ISTURISA dose was 11 mg/d.6
mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol.
ISTURISA was associated with cardiometabolic, HRQOL, and psychosocial improvements1,3,a
In patients taking ISTURISA, mean improvements were observed from baseline in the following parameters.4,6
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The study was not powered to assess statistical significance in non-key secondary endpoints and no definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Because the study allowed initiation of anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medications and dose increases in patients already receiving such medications and there was absence of a control group, the individual contribution of ISTURISA or of anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medication adjustments cannot be clearly established.3
CushingQoL is a disease-generated questionnaire proven to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Scores correlate with relevant clinical parameters. The CushingQoL is comprised of 12 items that capture patient responses on 7 concepts: daily activities, healing and pain, mood and self-confidence, social concerns, physical appearance, memory and concern about the future.9
BDI-II is a proven valid and reliable 21-item self-report multiple-choice inventory tool used to evaluate depressive states that occur at high prevalence among the medically ill.10
BDI-II, Beck Depression Inventory-II; CS, Cushing’s syndrome; CushingQoL, Cushing’s Quality of Life questionnaire; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; HRQOL, health-related quality of life; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
Improvements were maintained for over a year in the majority of patients who entered the 72-week open-label extension (N=106).7,a
LINC 3 EXTENSION RESULTS
Complete responder rate at week 727,a
of patients who entered the extension maintained mUFC ≤ULN at week 72(86/106; 95% CI, 72.4-88.1)7,a
- Patients who had mUFC ≤ULN (defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h) were classified as complete responders7
- Patients were classified as having a complete response if mUFC ≤ULN and a partial response if mUFC >ULN but with a ≥50% reduction from baseline7
PRESPECIFIED SECONDARY ENDPOINT
Improvements in cardiometabolic-related parameters were maintained through the open-label extension.1,7,a
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- No new safety signals reported during long-term treatment3
- 106 of 137 enrolled patients entered the optional extension7
- Median duration of ISTURISA treatment from baseline to study end for all enrolled patients was 130 weeks with a median dose of 7.4 mg/day7
- Most hypocortisolism-related AEs emerged during the first 26 weeks of treatment and AEs related to adrenal hormone precursor accumulation were less frequent in the extension7
- Mean testosterone levels in women increased upon initiation of ISTURISA but tended to return to baseline levels and within the normal range at 72 weeks (0.8 x ULN)8
The study was not powered to assess statistical significance in non-key secondary endpoints and no definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Because the study allowed initiation of antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications and dose increases in patients already receiving such medications and there was absence of a control group, the individual contribution of ISTURISA or of antihypertensive and antidiabetic medication adjustments cannot be clearly established.3
BMI, body mass index; CI, confidence interval; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
References: 1. Pivonello R, Fleseriu M, Newell-Price J, et al; LINC 3 investigators. Efficacy and safety of osilodrostat in patients with Cushing’s disease (LINC 3): a multicentre phase III study with a double-blind, randomised withdrawal phase. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020;8(9):748-761. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30240-0 2. Gadelha M, Bex M, Feelders RA, et al. Randomized trial of osilodrostat for the treatment of Cushing disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022;107(7):e2882-e2895. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac178 3. Isturisa. Package insert. Recordati Rare Diseases Inc; 2025. 4. Pivonello R, Fleseriu M, Newell-Price J, et al. Efficacy and safety of osilodrostat in patients with Cushing’s disease (LINC 3): a multicentre phase III study with a double-blind, randomised withdrawal phase. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020;8(9)(suppl). doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30240-0 5. 5. Petersenn S, Newell-Price J, Findling JW, et al. High variability in baseline urinary free cortisol values in patients with Cushing’s disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2014;80(2):261–269. doi:10.1111/cen.12259 6. Data on file 1. Recordati Rare Diseases Inc; 2019. 7. Fleseriu M, Newell-Price J, Pivonello R, et al. Long-term outcomes of osilodrostat in Cushing’s disease: LINC 3 study extension. Eur J Endocrinol. 2022;187(4):531-541. doi:10.1530/EJE-22-0317 8. Fleseriu M, Biller B, Pivonello R, et al. Osilodrostat is an effective and well tolerated treatment option for patients with Cushing’s disease (CD): final results from the LINC3 study. Abstract presented at: European Congress of Endocrinology 2021; May 22-26, 2021; Abstract OC8.2. 9. Webb SM, Badia X, Barahona MJ, et al. Evaluation of health-related quality of life in patients with Cushing’s syndrome with a new questionnaire. Eur J Endocrinol. 2008;158(5):623-630. doi:10.1530/EJE-07-0762 10. Wang YP, Gorenstein C. Assessment of depression in medical patients: a systematic review of the utility of the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013;68(9):1274-1287. doi:10.6061/clinics/2013(09)15
LINC 4 is a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the safety and efficacy of ISTURISA among 73 patients with Cushing's disease (CD) (mUFC >1.3 × ULN).2
Inclusion criteria2
- Patients aged 18 to 75 years with a confirmed diagnosis of persistent, recurrent, or de novo (if not surgical candidates) CD
- Confirmed CD as determined by mean of 3 UFC concentrations of >1.3 x ULN
- Evidence of a pituitary source of excess ACTH
Baseline characteristics2
- Median age at enrollment was 39 years
- 84% (n=61/73) of patients were female
- 88% (n=64/73) of enrolled patients had previous surgery
- Mean mUFC at baseline was 157 μg/24 h (≈3.1 . ULN)
- Median mUFC at baseline was 123 ug/24 h
- Median mUFC at baseline was 123 μg/24 h(≈2.5 . ULN)
ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; UFC, urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
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Patients started on ISTURISA 2 mg twice daily (baseline median mUFC was 2.5 X ULN [0.7-12.5]) or matching placebo (baseline median mUFC was 2.2 X ULN [0.2-18.9]). Dose adjustments to normalize mUFC or to address safety issues were permitted at week 2, week 5, and week 8 (range 1-20 mg twice a day) based on considerations of all data for each patient, including mUFC level, rate of decrease of mUFC, and tolerability of ISTURISA. ULN was defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h, and LLN was defined as 11 nmol/24 h or 4 μg/24 h.2,3
Starting at week 12, all patients restarted open-label ISTURISA (2 mg twice a day unless they were receiving a lower dose), with dose adjustments permitted (range 1 mg every other day to 30 mg twice a day).2
LLN, lower limit of normal; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal.
ISTURISA rapidly normalized cortisol levels in the majority of patients, and demonstrated superiority over placebo at normalizing cortisol (mUFC ≤ULN) at week 12 (N=73, 95% CI, 7.1-343.2; P<0.0001) 2,a
PRIMARY ENDPOINT2
Proportion of randomized patients with mUFC ≤ULN at week 12. Significantly more patients had mUFC ≤ULN with ISTURISA at week 12 (P<.0001).2
12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled period (N=73)²
Among patients who received
ISTURISA
77%
(37/48) achieved
normal mUFC2,b
Among patients who received
placebo
8%
(2/25) achieved
normal mUFC2,b
P<0.0001
(OR 43.4;
95% CI, 7.1-343.2)
Dose adjustments were made at weeks 2, 5, and 8 followed by adjustments approximately every 3 weeks based on considerations of all data for each patient, including mUFC level, rate of decrease of mUFC, and tolerability of ISTURISA.2,b
Note: Adverse events related to hypocortisolism occurred in 15% of patients who received ISTURISA vs 0% of patients who received placebo during titration.2
Patients taking ISTURISA achieved mUFC ≤ULN rapidly, as early as 12 weeks. Among patients who received ISTURISA, 77% (37/48) achieved normal mUFC compared to 8% (2/25) of patients who received placebo (OR 43.4; 95% CI, 7.1-343.2; P<.0001).2
Patients started on ISTURISA 2 mg twice daily (baseline median mUFC was 2.5 X ULN [0.7-12.5]) or matching placebo (baseline median mUFC was 2.2 X ULN [0.2-18.9]). Dose adjustments to normalize mUFC or to address safety issues were permitted at week 2, week 5, and week 8 (range 1-20 mg twice a day) based on considerations of all data for each patient, including mUFC level, rate of decrease of mUFC, and tolerability of ISTURISA. ULN was defined as 138 nmol/24 h or 50 μg/24 h, and LLN was defined as 11 nmol/24 h or 4 μg/24 h.2,4
CI, confidence interval; LLN, lower limit of normal; mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; OR, odds ratio; ULN, upper limit of normal.
SECONDARY ENDPOINT
The median duration of ISTURISA exposure until first controlled response (mUFC ≤ULN) was 35 days for
patients randomized to ISTURISA.2,c
• 4 out of 5 patients on ISTURISA maintained mUFC ≤ULN at week 36 in the open-label period
• The study was not powered to assess statistical significance in secondary endpoints and no definitive conclusions can be drawn
ISTURISA effectively sustained cortisol normalization in a majority of patients2,a
Maintained mUFC ≤ULN for 4 out of 5 patients at week 36 in the open-label period (N=73).2
KEY SECONDARY ENDPOINT2,a
Proportion of patients with mUFC ≤ULN at week 36
of patients who received ISTURISA maintained normalized mUFC (59/73; 95% CI, 69.9-89.1)2
The lower bound of the 95% CI exceeded 30%, the prespecified threshold for statistical significance and minimum threshold for clinical benefit.
mUFC, mean urinary free cortisol; ULN, upper limit of normal; CI, confidence interval.
Key learnings from LINC 4 study2:
ISTURISA provides rapid and sustained normalization of cortisol
ISTURISA has a demonstrated safety profile
Response and tolerability may be managed with closing monitoring and dose adjustments
References: 1. Pivonello R, Fleseriu M, Newell-Price J, et al; LINC 3 investigators. Efficacy and safety of osilodrostat in patients with Cushing’s disease (LINC 3): a multicentre phase III study with a double-blind, randomised withdrawal phase. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2020;8(9):748-761. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30240-0 2. Gadelha M, Bex M, Feelders RA, et al. Randomized trial of osilodrostat for the treatment of Cushing disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022;107(7):e2882-e2895. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac178 3. Fleseriu M, Auchus RJ, Snyder PJ, et al. Effect of dosing and titration of osilodrostat on efficacy and safety in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD): results from two phase III trials (LINC3 and LINC4). Endocr Pract. 2021;27(suppl 6):S112. Abstract #999926. doi:10.1016/j.eprac.2021.04.707 4. Gadelha M, Bex M, Feelders R, et al. Osilodrostat is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for Cushing’s disease (CD): results from a phase III study with an upfront, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase (LINC 4). J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(suppl 1):A516-A517. doi:10:1210/jendso/bvab048.1055
