Prospective, Open-Label, Multicenter, International Study of Mifepristone for Symptomatic Treatment of Cushing's Syndrome Caused by Ectopic Adrenal Corticotrophin Hormone (ACTH) Secretion

• Status: Terminated
• Trial end date: 2012-04-04

Summary

This study will evaluate whether the drug mifepristone can improve the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome in people with ectopic adrenal corticotrophin hormone (ACTH) secretion. Cushing's syndrome occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, a hormone that helps to regulate the body's use of salt and food. Excessive cortisol is usually the result of too much ACTH, the hormone that causes the adrenal glands to make cortisol. The extra ACTH is made either by a tumor in the pituitary gland (called Cushing's disease) or by a tumor somewhere else (called ectopic ACTH secretion). Mifepristone blocks the action of cortisol in the body. The drug has been used safely to treat a few people with Cushing's syndrome and patients with certain kinds of cancer, gynecological diseases and psychiatric disorders.

People between 18 and 85 years of age with Cushing's syndrome caused by EXCESS ACTH secretion may be eligible for this study. Candidates are admitted to the hospital for evaluation to confirm Cushing's syndrome and to determine its cause. The evaluation includes blood and urine tests, imaging tests, dexamethasone and corticotropin-releasing hormone tests and inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Patients determined to have Cushing's syndrome due to ECTOPIC ACTH secretion undergo imaging studies (CT, MRI and a nuclear medicine scan) and begin mifepristone therapy.

Participants remain in the hospital for the following tests and procedures:

• Physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood and urine tests

• Completion of medical questionnaires

• DEXA scan to determine bone mineral density and body composition

• Glucose tolerance test

• Urine pregnancy test and ultrasound to measure uterine lining thickness (for women)

Patients take mifepristone by mouth 3 times a day. The dose is increased every week or so until symptoms improve or the highest dosage allowed is reached. Patients may remain in the hospital for all or part of the dose-finding part of the study. During this period (usually 2 to 4 weeks), blood pressure, glucose tolerance and blood chemistries are measured and EKG and urinalysis done every 5 to 14 days. When the mifepristone dose is stable patients remain on that dose for at least 2 weeks and are then re-evaluated. Patients then return to the hospital for evaluations every 3 months. Those who do well on the drug may continue to take it for up to 12 months.

• Phase: Phase 2

Details

• Lead Sponsor: HRA Pharma
• Treatments: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Hormones; Mifepristone