Understanding Cushing’s Disease

Prevalence and Impact

Cushing’s disease (CD) is the most common type of endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS)1,2

  • Estimated prevalence of nearly 22 cases per million3
  • The annual incidence of Cushing’s disease is estimated to be 2.4 per million3,*
  • At least 3x more common in women than men and generally occurs between ages 20 and 504

70% to 80% of endogenous CS is caused by CD2

*True incidence and prevalence rates for CD in the United States are unknown. Estimated data are pooled rates based on a meta-analysis of global CD epidemiology.3

CD Causes Elevated Cortisol

CD is a rare hormonal disorder caused by a pituitary adenoma that secretes excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).5 Excess ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol, leading to the clinical manifestations of CD.

Comorbidities are common

Patients with CD experience comorbidities at a higher rate than the general population.5 Although biochemical remission or a surgical cure is usually associated with clinical improvement, some comorbidities may not completely normalize.1,6 Hypertension and diabetes are the main long-term controllable risk factors for cardiovascular events and mortality; repeated long-term follow-up is recommended.7,8

PREVALENCE OF COMORBIDITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CD 1 PREVALENCE OF COMORBIDITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CD 1

Prolonged hypercortisolism exposure poses risks

In fact, the duration of hypercortisolism exposure is associated with a greater mortality risk.5,9 It is important to address comorbidities to enhance quality of life and decrease long-term mortality associated with CD.8

Uncontrolled chronic hypercortisolism also leads to elevated risks of multisystem morbidity and mortality.10 Patients with endogenous CS have an approximately 3.5 to 5 times higher mortality risk than the general population.11 While the risks of morbidity and mortality can decrease with biochemical remission, they're not entirely eliminated.1,8

PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO EXCESS CORTISOL

are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality12

Venous Thromboembolism

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Heart Failure

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Stroke

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Acute Myocardial Infarction

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INDICATION(S) AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ISTURISA® (osilodrostat) is a cortisol synthesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Cushing’s disease for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Hypocortisolism: ISTURISA lowers cortisol levels and can lead to hypocortisolism and sometimes life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. Lowering of cortisol can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and dizziness. Significant lowering of serum cortisol may result in hypotension, abnormal electrolyte levels, and hypoglycemia.

Hypocortisolism can occur at any time during ISTURISA treatment. Evaluate patients for precipitating causes of hypocortisolism (infection, physical stress, etc.). Monitor 24-hr urine free cortisol, serum or plasma cortisol, and patient’s signs and symptoms periodically during ISTURISA treatment.

Decrease or temporarily discontinue ISTURISA if urine free cortisol levels fall below the target range, there is a rapid decrease in cortisol levels, and/or patients report symptoms of hypocortisolism. Stop ISTURISA and administer exogenous glucocorticoid replacement therapy if serum or plasma cortisol levels are below target range and patients have symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. After ISTURISA discontinuation, cortisol suppression may persist beyond the 4-hour half-life of ISTURISA.

Educate patients on the symptoms associated with hypocortisolism and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur.

QTc Prolongation: ISTURISA is associated with a dose-dependent QT interval prolongation which may cause cardiac arrhythmias. Perform an ECG to obtain a baseline QTc interval measurement prior to initiating therapy with ISTURISA and monitor for an effect on the QTc interval thereafter.

Correct hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia prior to ISTURISA initiation and monitor periodically during treatment with ISTURISA. Use with caution in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation and consider more frequent ECG monitoring.

Elevations in Adrenal Hormone Precursors and Androgens: ISTURISA blocks cortisol synthesis and may increase circulating levels of cortisol and aldosterone precursors and androgens. This may activate mineralocorticoid receptors and cause hypokalemia, edema and hypertension. Hypokalemia should be corrected prior to initiating ISTURISA. Monitor patients treated with ISTURISA for hypokalemia, worsening of hypertension and edema. Inform patients of the symptoms associated with hyperandrogenism and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >20%) are adrenal insufficiency, fatigue, nausea, headache, and edema.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Drug Interactions:

  • CYP3A4 Inhibitor: Reduce the dose of ISTURISA by half with concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.
  • CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 Inducers: An increase of ISTURISA dosage may be needed if ISTURISA is used concomitantly with strong CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 inducers. A reduction in ISTURISA dosage may be needed if strong CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 inducers are discontinued while using ISTURISA.

Use in Specific Populations:

  • Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ISTURISA and for at least one week after treatment.

Dosage Interruptions and Modifications: If treatment is interrupted, re-initiate ISTURISA at a lower dose when cortisol levels are within target ranges and patient symptoms have been resolved.

ISTURISA® (osilodrostat) tablets, for oral use, is available as 1 mg and 5 mg tablets.

Please see the full Prescribing Information.

INDICATION(S) AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

ISTURISA® (osilodrostat) is a cortisol synthesis inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Cushing’s disease for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Hypocortisolism: ISTURISA lowers cortisol levels and can lead to hypocortisolism and sometimes life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. Lowering of cortisol can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and dizziness. Significant lowering of serum cortisol may result in hypotension, abnormal electrolyte levels, and hypoglycemia.

Hypocortisolism can occur at any time during ISTURISA treatment. Evaluate patients for precipitating causes of hypocortisolism (infection, physical stress, etc.). Monitor 24-hr urine free cortisol, serum or plasma cortisol, and patient’s signs and symptoms periodically during ISTURISA treatment.

Decrease or temporarily discontinue ISTURISA if urine free cortisol levels fall below the target range, there is a rapid decrease in cortisol levels, and/or patients report symptoms of hypocortisolism. Stop ISTURISA and administer exogenous glucocorticoid replacement therapy if serum or plasma cortisol levels are below target range and patients have symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. After ISTURISA discontinuation, cortisol suppression may persist beyond the 4-hour half-life of ISTURISA.

Educate patients on the symptoms associated with hypocortisolism and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur.

QTc Prolongation: ISTURISA is associated with a dose-dependent QT interval prolongation which may cause cardiac arrhythmias. Perform an ECG to obtain a baseline QTc interval measurement prior to initiating therapy with ISTURISA and monitor for an effect on the QTc interval thereafter.

Correct hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia prior to ISTURISA initiation and monitor periodically during treatment with ISTURISA. Use with caution in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation and consider more frequent ECG monitoring.

Elevations in Adrenal Hormone Precursors and Androgens: ISTURISA blocks cortisol synthesis and may increase circulating levels of cortisol and aldosterone precursors and androgens. This may activate mineralocorticoid receptors and cause hypokalemia, edema and hypertension. Hypokalemia should be corrected prior to initiating ISTURISA. Monitor patients treated with ISTURISA for hypokalemia, worsening of hypertension and edema. Inform patients of the symptoms associated with hyperandrogenism and advise them to contact a healthcare provider if they occur.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >20%) are adrenal insufficiency, fatigue, nausea, headache, and edema.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Recordati Rare Diseases Inc. at 1-888-575-8344, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Drug Interactions:

  • CYP3A4 Inhibitor: Reduce the dose of ISTURISA by half with concomitant use of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.
  • CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 Inducers: An increase of ISTURISA dosage may be needed if ISTURISA is used concomitantly with strong CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 inducers. A reduction in ISTURISA dosage may be needed if strong CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 inducers are discontinued while using ISTURISA.

Use in Specific Populations:

  • Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with ISTURISA and for at least one week after treatment.

Dosage Interruptions and Modifications: If treatment is interrupted, re-initiate ISTURISA at a lower dose when cortisol levels are within target ranges and patient symptoms have been resolved.

ISTURISA® (osilodrostat) tablets, for oral use, is available as 1 mg and 5 mg tablets.

Please see the full Prescribing Information.

References: 1. Sharma ST, Nieman LK, Feelders RA. Cushing’s syndrome: epidemiology and developments in disease management. Clin Epidemiol. 2015;17(7):281-293. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S44336 2. Lonser RR, Nieman L, Oldfield EH. Cushing’s disease: pathobiology, diagnosis, and management. J Neurosurg. 2017;126(2):404-417. doi:10.3171/2016.1.JNS152119 3. Giuffrida G, Crisafulli S, Ferraù F, et al. Global Cushing's disease epidemiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Endocrinol Invest. 2022;45(6):1235-1246. doi:10.1007/s40618-022-01754-1 4. Nishioka H, Yamada S. Cushing's disease. Clin Med. 2019;8(11):1951. doi:10.3390/jcm8111951 5. Feelders RA, Pulgar SJ. Kempel A, Pereira AM. The burden of Cushing's disease: clinical and health-related quality of life aspects. Eur J Endocrinol. 2012;167(3):311-326. doi:10.1530/EJE-11-1095 6. Pivonello R, De Leo M, Cozzolino A, Colao A. The Treatment of Cushing's Disease. Endocr Rev. 2015 Aug;36(4):385-486. doi:10.1210/er.2013-1048 7. Nieman LK, Biller BMK, Findling JW. et al. Treatment of Cushing's syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Endocrine. 2015;100(8):2807-2831. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-1818 8. Fleseriu M, Auchus R, Bancos I, et al. Consensus on diagnosis and management of Cushing's disease: a guideline update. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021;9(12):847-875. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00235-7 9. Dekkers OM, Biermasz NR, Pereira AM, et al. Mortality in patients treated for Cushing's disease is increased, compared with patients treated for nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(3):976-981. doi:10.1210/jc.2006-2112 10. Lacroix A, Feelders RA, Stratakis CA, Nieman LK. Cushing's syndrome. Lancet. 2015;386(9996):913-927. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61375-1 11. Fleseriu M, Castinetti F. Updates on the role of adrenal steroidogenesis inhibitors in Cushing’s syndrome: a focus on novel therapies. Pituitary. 2016;19(6):643-653. doi:10.1007/s11102-016-0742-1 12. Dekkers OM, Horváth-Puhó E, Jørgensen JOL, et al. Multisystem morbidity and mortality in Cushing’s syndrome: a cohort study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(6):2277-2284. doi:10.1210/jc.2012-3582 13. van Haalen FM, Broersen LHA, Jørgensen JO, Pereira AM, Dekkers OM. Management of endocrine disease: Mortality remains increased in Cushing’s disease despite biochemical remission: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015;172(4):R143-R149. doi:10.1530/EJE-14-0556