Turcu, Adina F.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common and treatable cause of hypertension, yet data on the durability of medical treatment response beyond the first year are limited. Using the PA medical treatment outcomes framework, we evaluated long-term biochemical and clinical outcomes and factors associated with treatment response. METHODS: We conducted an international, multicenter, observational cohort study across 27 centers on 4 continents. Adults with PA treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and/or epithelial sodium channel blockers between 2016 and 2021 were included if follow-up data were available at ≥12 months. Biochemical and clinical responses were classified as complete, partial, or absent using PA medical treatment outcomes criteria. Ordinal logistic regression identified determinants of a favorable treatment response. RESULTS: The cohort included 1292 patients (47.5% women, mean age 52 years) with a median follow-up of 34 months (interquartile range, 21–51). At ≥12 months, 58.3% achieved a complete biochemical response, and 20.8% achieved a complete clinical response, with only 5% showing no response. Determinants of a favorable biochemical response included lower aldosterone and lateralization index, and higher renin and potassium levels at baseline. In those taking spironolactone, a higher daily dose was also associated with a favorable biochemical response. Determinants of a favorable clinical response included female sex, lower body mass index, shorter duration of hypertension, and absence of hypertension-mediated organ damage. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted medical therapy for PA can deliver sustained biochemical and clinical benefits. Early disease detection and adequate dose titration are highly actionable determinants of long-term treatment success.

Abstract Objective Recent studies suggest a unique disease profile in elderly patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), who have a high prevalence of comorbidities and low clinical cure rate post-adrenalectomy. This study aims to investigate histopathology and genetic characteristics of PA in late adulthood. Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded adrenal tissue sections from 114 patients with PA who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy at age 60 or older were used. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for histopathologic analysis. Somatic DNA variants were identified in aldosterone-producing tissue following CYP11B2 IHC-guided sequencing. Results Histopathologic analysis revealed that 56 adrenals contained an aldosterone-producing nodule (APN) (49%), 44 contained an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) (39%), 7 contained multiple APN (6%), and 7 contained only non-functioning adenomas [NFA, of which 6 had at least one aldosterone-producing micronodule (APM) in the adjacent tissue] (6%). NFAs were also identified alongside APN/APA in 24 cases. An APN was the most common histologic subtype in men (51/88, 58%), while APA was predominant in women (18/26, 69%). Of 67 APNs with successful sequencing, the majority had variants in CACNA1D (40/67, 60%). KCNJ5 variants were the most common alteration in APA (14/44, 32%). Conclusions Older individuals with lateralized PA exhibit distinct genetic and histologic causes of disease with sex differences in mutation prevalence and adrenal histopathology. In APN, the most frequently altered gene is CACNA1D, while KCNJ5 variants are most common in APA. Unlike young patients with PA, the presence of NFA is a frequent observation in late adulthood individuals with PA.

Abstract Disclosure: I. Bancos: AstraZeneca. A. Ben-Shlomo: AstraZeneca. O. Hamidi: Recordati Rare Diseases, Neurocrine Biosciences, Corcept Therapeutics, Crinetics, Camurus, Xeris. A. Hamrahian: AstraZeneca. W. Huang: None. L.S. Kirschner: Corcept Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Crinetics, Sparrow Pharma, Spruce Biosciences. R. Sam: AstraZeneca. A.F. Turcu: AstraZeneca. A. Lihn: AstraZeneca. A. Mallappa: AstraZeneca. S. Perl: AstraZeneca. B. Tuyishimire: AstraZeneca. M.J. Brown: GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca. Introduction: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) treatment for primary aldosteronism (PA) has limited efficacy in some patients. Highly selective, competitive aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs) offer an alternative therapeutic approach. SPARK (NCT04605549) was a Phase 2, open-label, multicenter trial of the ASI baxdrostat in patients with PA. Methods: Eligibility entailed: aged ≥18 years; diagnosis of PA; willingness to discontinue MRA up to 4 weeks before baxdrostat initiation; and systolic blood pressure (SBP) rise ≥20 mmHg or SBP ≥160 mmHg after discontinuation of MRA, or SBP ≥150 mmHg for patients with newly diagnosed PA who had not taken MRAs in the past 12 weeks. Patients entered a 12-week treatment period (Part 1) of once daily baxdrostat 2 mg, up-titrated to 4 mg or 8 mg at week (W) 4 or W8, respectively, if there was no significant risk of hypotension. Baxdrostat could be down-titrated to 2 mg or continued at 4 mg as needed. After W12, patients could continue baxdrostat up to W72 (Part 2) with doses at investigators’ discretion. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability and change from baseline in mean seated SBP at W12. Results: Fifteen patients enrolled and completed Part 1; 14 patients continued to Part 2. Median (range) age was 54 (32, 75) years, 67% of patients were male, 47% were White, and median (range) body mass index was 32.0 (24.4, 41.4) kg/m2. At baseline, plasma renin activity (PRA) was <1 ng/mL/h in 12/15 (80%) patients, and 8/15 (53%) patients had hypokalemia (serum potassium <3.5 mmol/L). Mean (range) baseline SBP was 151.5 (130, 174) mmHg; diastolic BP (DBP) was 90.3 (74, 103) mmHg. At W12, mean (range) SBP change from baseline was –29.5 (–47, –12), –24.4 (–31, –17), and –23.9 (–47, –8) mmHg for patients on baxdrostat 2 mg (n=2), 4 mg (n=5), and 8 mg (n=7), respectively; DBP change was –8.0 (–14, –2), –10.4 (–20, 0), and –11.6 (–25, 7) mmHg, respectively. Overall, 11/15 (73%) patients achieved BP <140/90 mmHg and 6/15 (40%) achieved BP <130/80 mmHg at W12; reduced BP persisted in Part 2. No deaths were reported. Nine out of 15 (60%) patients had a treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) during W4–W12 of Part 1 (all mild/moderate), including 1/15 (7%) patient with hyperkalemia; no serious TEAEs were reported. In Part 2, 14/14 (100%) patients had a TEAE (most mild/moderate), including 5/14 (36%) patients with hyperkalemia; one serious TEAE of hyperkalemia was reported. Mean (standard deviation, SD) serum potassium levels increased from 3.9 (0.6) mEq/L at baseline to 4.7 (0.5) mEq/L at W12. Mean (SD) 24-h urine aldosterone excretion at baseline and W12 were 30.3 (17.5) and 3.2 (2.7) µg/day, respectively. At W12, 7/15 (47%) patients had achieved unsuppressed PRA (≥1.0 ng/mL/h). Conclusions: Baxdrostat, an ASI, was well tolerated and led to reduced BP and unsuppressed renin in patients with PA. Inhibiting aldosterone synthase may be an alternative to MRAs for treating PA. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Background Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common treatable cause of hypertension. When caused by unilateral adrenal disease, it is potentially curable by adrenalectomy. However, specialized tests and other factors may delay definitive treatment. We assessed the time to adrenalectomy (TTA) for patients worldwide. Methods We conducted an international, multicentre retrospective study involving 39 centres from 15 countries to determine the total time taken from the first presentation to adrenalectomy and the intervals between each stage (screening, confirmatory, subtyping, and adrenalectomy). We included patients with PA who underwent adrenalectomy from January 1, 2018, to October 30, 2022. Post-adrenalectomy outcomes were evaluated using the Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcome criteria. We performed multivariable quantile and linear regression to identify characteristics associated with longer TTA. Results We included 861 patients, mean age 49.3 ± 11.1 years, and 44.5% were women. Overall median TTA was 13.5 months, IQR: 6.6-24.5. Median intervals were 0.1 months (screening), 1.0 months (confirmatory), 4.1 months (subtyping), and 4.3 months (adrenalectomy). On multivariable analysis, median TTA was increased by 5.4 months for each additional adrenal vein sampling (AVS) procedure. Other factors associated with longer TTA included adrenalectomy post-COVID-19, younger age, and additional screening tests. Compared with countries with routine AVS, those without AVS had a shorter TTA (6.1 vs 15.1 months, P < .001), but greater likelihood of absent/partial biochemical success post-adrenalectomy (27.4% vs 12.4%, P < .001). Conclusion Primary aldosteronism management is time-consuming worldwide, especially for subtyping tests and adrenalectomy. While omitting AVS reduces overall time, patients are less likely to achieve biochemical cure post-adrenalectomy.

Abstract Objective Frailty, characterized by multi-system decline, increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes and can be measured using Frailty Index (FI). We aimed to assess the prevalence of frailty in patients with adrenal disorders (based on hormonal sub-type) and examine association between FI and performance-based measures of physical function. Design Multi-centre, cross-sectional study (March 2019-August 2022). Methods Adult patients with adrenal disorders (non-functioning adrenal adenomas [NFA], mild autonomous cortisol secretion [MACS], Cushing syndrome [CS], primary aldosteronism [PA]) and referent subjects without adrenal disorders completed a questionnaire encompassing 47 health variables (comorbidities, symptoms, daily living activities). FI was calculated as the average score of all variables and frailty defined as FI ≥ 0.25. Physical function was assessed with hand grip, timed up-and-go test, chair rising test, 6-minute walk test, and gait speed. Results Compared to referent subjects (n = 89), patients with adrenal disorders (n = 520) showed increased age, sex, and body mass index-adjusted prevalence of frailty (CS [odds ratio—OR 19.2, 95% confidence interval—CI 6.7-70], MACS [OR 12.5, 95% CI 4.8-42.9], PA [OR 8.4, 95% CI 2.9-30.4], NFA [OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.7-15.9]). Prevalence of frailty was similar to referent subjects when post-dexamethasone cortisol was <28 nmol/L and was higher when post-dexamethasone cortisol was 28-50 nmol/L (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.7-16.5). FI correlated with all measures of physical function (P < .001). Conclusions Whilst frailty prevalence was highest in patients with adrenocortical hormone excess, even patients with NFA demonstrated an increased prevalence compared to the referent population. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the impact of various management strategies on frailty.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension but is frequently underrecognized and undertreated. Patients with PA are at a markedly increased risk for target organ damage to the heart and kidneys. While patients with unilateral PA can be treated surgically, many patients with PA are not eligible or willing to undergo surgery. Steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are highly effective for treating PA and reducing the risk of target organ damage. However, steroidal MRAs are often underprescribed and can be poorly tolerated by some patients due to side effects. Nonsteroidal MRAs reduce adverse renal and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with diabetic kidney disease and are bettertolerated than steroidal MRAs. While their blood pressure–lowering effects remain unclear, these agents may have a potential role in reducing target organ damage in patients with PA.

Background Many hormones display distinct circadian rhythms, driven by central regulators, hormonal bioavailability, and half-life. A set of 11-oxygenated C19 steroids (11-oxyandrogens) and pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) are elevated in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and other disorders, but their circadian patterns have not been characterized. Participants and methods Peripheral blood was collected every 2 h over 24 h from healthy volunteer men (10 young, 18–30 years, and 10 older, 60–80 years). We used mass spectrometry to quantify 15 steroids, including androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), 11β-hydroxy- and 11-ketotestosterone (11OHT, 11KT),11β-hydroxy- and 11-ketoandrostenedione (11OHA4, 11KA4), and 4 ∆5-steroid sulfates. Diurnal models including mesor (rhythm adjusted median), peak, and nadir concentrations, acrophase, and amplitude were computed. Results 11OHA4 followed a rhythm similar to cortisol: acrophase 8:00 h, nadir 21:00 h and were similar in young and old men. 11KT had similar diurnal patterns, but the peak was lower in older than in young men, as was the case for A4. All four steroid sulfates were higher in young vs older men. PregS and 17-hydroxypregnenolone sulfate (17OHPregS) showed sustained elevations between 8:00 and 18:00 h, and nadirs around midnight, while DHEAS and AdiolS displayed minimal diurnal variations. All 4 11-oxyandrogens correlated tightly with cortisol (r from 0.54 for 11OHT to 0.81 for 11OHA4, P < 0.0001 for all), but very weakly with T, supporting their adrenal origin and ACTH governance. Conclusions 11-Oxyandrogens, PregS, and 17OHPregS display distinct circadian and age variations, which should be accounted for when used as clinical biomarkers.

Abstract Context Patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) often require supraphysiologic glucocorticoid doses to suppress adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and control androgen excess. Nevanimibe hydrochloride (ATR-101), which selectively inhibits adrenal cortex function, might reduce androgen excess independent of ACTH and thus allow for lower glucocorticoid dosing in CAH. 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione are CAH biomarkers used to monitor androgen excess. Objective Evaluate the efficacy and safety of nevanimibe in subjects with uncontrolled classic CAH. Design This was a multicenter, single-blind, dose-titration study. CAH subjects with baseline 17-OHP ≥4× the upper limit of normal (ULN) received the lowest dose of nevanimibe for 2 weeks followed by a single-blind 2-week placebo washout. Nevanimibe was gradually titrated up if the primary outcome measure (17-OHP ≤2× ULN) was not met. A total of 5 nevanimibe dose levels were possible (125, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg twice daily). Results The study enrolled 10 adults: 9 completed the study, and 1 discontinued early due to a related serious adverse event. At baseline, the mean age was 30.3 ± 13.8 years, and the maintenance glucocorticoid dose, expressed as hydrocortisone equivalents, was 24.7 ± 10.4 mg/day. Two subjects met the primary endpoint, and 5 others experienced 17-OHP decreases ranging from 27% to 72% during nevanimibe treatment. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal (30%). There were no dose-related trends in adverse events. Conclusions Nevanimibe decreased 17-OHP levels within 2 weeks of treatment. Larger studies of longer duration are needed to further evaluate its efficacy as add-on therapy for CAH.

Abstract Objectives Localization of ectopic ACTH‐secreting tumours causing Cushing syndrome (ECS) is essential for clinical management, yet often difficult. [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE PET/CT ([ 68 Ga]‐DOTA‐(Tyr 3 )‐octreotate)] is an FDA‐approved high‐resolution diagnostic tool for imaging neuroendocrine tumours. Data on the clinical utility of [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE in patients with ECS, however, are scarce. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy for ECS localization and the clinical benefit of [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE imaging. Method We conducted a retrospective review of all cases with ECS evaluated with [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE from November 2016 through October 2018 at three referral centres. The clinical benefit of [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE was based on detection of new tumours and resultant changes in management. Results Over the study period, 28 patients with ECS underwent [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE: 17 for identification of the primary tumour and 11 during follow‐up. [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE identified the suspected primary ECS in 11/17 patients (65%). Of these, nine patients underwent surgery: eight with confirmed ECS (5 bronchial, 1 thymic, 1 pancreatic and 1 metastatic neuroendocrine tumour of unknown primary origin) and one patient with a false‐positive scan (adrenal gland). Of the 11 patients with ECS who underwent [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE evaluation during follow‐up, the study led to changes in clinical management in 7/11 (64%) patients. Conclusions [ 68 Ga]‐DOTATATE is sensitive in detecting primary and metastatic ECS, often identifies occult tumours after conventional imaging, and impacts clinical care in the majority of patients.