Bancos, Irina

Abstract Disclosure: M. Salehi: None. K. Yu: None. C.A. Villavicencio Torres: None. V. Fell: None. I. Bancos: None. Context: The use of the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (1 mg-DST) is considered the standard-of-care test for the assessment of hypercortisolism. Scarce data are available on the utility of 8 mg-DST in distinguishing adrenal from pituitary hypercortisolism. Objective: To determine the value of 8 mg-DST in diagnosing hypercortisolism subtype. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study (2005-2024) of consecutive adults who underwent both the 1 mg-DST and the 8 mg-DST within a 6-month period. Only patients with optimal reference standard confirming the type of hypercortisolism were included. Patients were excluded if they had an abnormal DST and dexamethasone concentration <100 ng/dL or were receiving oral estrogen therapy. Delta cortisol [(post 1 mg-DST cortisol- post 8 mg-DST cortisol) x100/post 1 mg-DST cortisol)] was calculated for each patient. Results: A total of 61 patients (50, 82% women, median age 60 years, interquartile range, IQR 47-67) underwent both 1- and 8 mg-DST at least once, with 8 (13%) patients undergoing the 1 mg-DST and 8 mg-DST twice, and 1 (1.6%) patient undergoing both tests thrice. Adrenal hypercortisolism was diagnosed in 44 (72%) patients and pituitary hypercortisolism in 17 (28%) patients. Median post 1 mg-DST cortisol was 4.6 mcg/dL (IQR 2.8-7.2) in adrenal and 13.7 mcg/dL (IQR 7.3-21.7) in pituitary hypercortisolism. Median post 8 mg-DST cortisol was 3.2 mcg/dL (IQR 2.5-6.3) in adrenal and 3.6 mcg/dL (IQR 2.2-7.5) in pituitary hypercortisolism. Median delta cortisol was higher in pituitary hypercortisolism when compared to adrenal hypercortisolism (69%, IQR 25-83 vs 5 %, IQR -20-16, P<0.001). Delta cortisol demonstrated a good discrimination in distinguishing adrenal from pituitary hypercortisolism with a median area under receiver operator of 82% (95%CI 69-92). A cut-off of 25% provided a specificity of > 85%, while a cut-off of -1% yielded a sensitivity of > 85% in diagnosing adrenal hypercortisolism. Conclusion: In this study, we show that performing 8 mg-DST in addition to 1 mg-DST in selected patients with hypercortisolism and calculating delta cortisol is a valuable in distinguishing hypercortisolism subtype. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: J. Herndon: None. Y. Hleibiehova: None. A. Bancos: None. S. Achenbach: None. E. Atkinson: None. D. Donegan: Camarus, Recordati. I. Bancos: None. Introduction: Studies show that quality of life (QOL) among patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) (primary (PAI) or secondary (SAI)) improves following adequate glucocorticoid replacement, however decreased QOL persists. SAI due to hypophysitis or infrequently PAI due to adrenalitis are recognized complications of immune-checkpoint-inhibitors (ICI). It is unknown if patients with ICI induced AI (ICI-AI) would report similar findings in QOL. Aim: To assess the impact of ICI-AI on specific determinants of health-related QOL (HRQOL) and compare management and outcomes to SAI due to other etiologies (oSAI). Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of adult patients who completed at least 1 AddiQOL survey with a diagnosis of ICI- AI or oSAI evaluated between 2015 and 2024 were included. Patients with opioid- or glucocorticoid-induced-AI were excluded. A study survey obtained information regarding diagnosis and treatment. Results: 112 patients with ICI-AI were included (SAI n=109, PAI n=3). Among those with ICI-AI, 59% were female, median age at diagnosis was 59.7 ±12.8 years and melanoma was the most common indication for ICI use (51%). The median time to ICI-AI diagnosis was 5.5 (range 0.3-80.8) months and 46% used combination ICI therapy. When compared to those with oSAI (n=139), patients with central ICI-AI were older at diagnosis (59 ±12.7 vs 46 ±18.1 years, p <0.01), more were female (59 vs 43%, p=0.015) and most were diagnosed in the last year (88% vs 42%, p<0.01). Those with ICI-AI received higher hydrocortisone (HC) equivalent daily doses than those with oSAI (25.1± 18.3 vs 22.1 ±16.9 mg/day, p<0.01), however there was no difference in the number of adrenal crises (AC) reported within the last year (14 vs 16, p=0.78). Patients with ICI-AI felt that emergency personnel understood their diagnosis and treated them promptly (75% vs 0% p=0.012). Logistic regression analysis of the entire group (ICI-AI + oSAI) did not identify an association between the occurrence of AC in the last year and HC dose >20 mg/day or type of glucocorticoid. Furthermore, there was no difference in number of AC per person year assessed between the ICI-AI and oSAI (0.23 ±0.5 vs 0.21 ±0.5, p= 0.4). The mean total AddiQOL score was higher in those with ICI-AI (87.2 ±13.9 vs 81.8 ±15.8, p=0.02). When adjusted for age and sex, total AddiQOL score was inversely related to number of symptoms present (r: -0.49, p<0.01; r: -0.58, p<0.01), occurrence of AC in the last year (r: -0.27, p=0.01; r: -0.33, p<0.01) and positively related to current employment (r:0.33 p<0.01 0.2,p=0.02) in ICI-AI and oSAI respectively. Conclusion: This is the first study to compare management and HRQOL in patients with ICI-AI compared to oSAI and although there were no significant differences in total number of AC events between the 2 groups, differences exist in terms of AI presentation, management and reported QOL. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: I. Bancos: None. H. Falhammar: None. J. Young: None. R. Pivonello: Received research funding from Corcept Therapeutics, Neurocrine Biosciences, Recordati AG, Spruce Bioscience and Xeris Pharmaceuticals (Strongbridge Biopharma), Consultant for Corcept Therapeutics, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, HLundbeck A/S and Recordati Rare Diseases.. G. Russo: None. M.R. Stancampiano: None. V.H. Lin: Full-time employee of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. J. Sturgeon: Full-time employee of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. J.L. Chan: Full-time employee of Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Background: In patients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), chronic glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, especially at supraphysiologic doses, can lead to weight gain or obesity. Crinecerfont, a corticotropin releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRF1) antagonist, is a first-in-class medication that is FDA-approved for adjunctive treatment to GC replacement to control androgens in patients with CAH. In CAHtalyst™ Adult (NCT04490915), least-squares mean (LSM) percent changes in GC dose at Week 24 (end of double-blind placebo-controlled [DBPC] period) indicated a significant reduction with crinecerfont (-27.3% vs 10.3% for placebo; LSM difference [LSMD] -17.0%; P<0.0001) while androstenedione was maintained or improved relative to Day 1 baseline (BL). At Month 12 (end of open-label [OL] period), mean percent decreases from BL were -24.6% in participants continuing crinecerfont (CFT/CFT) and -29.7% in those switched from placebo (PBO/CFT). Objective: To evaluate weight-related outcomes in adults with CAH who received up to 1 year of crinecerfont. Methods: Mean change from Day 1 BL in body mass index (BMI) and mean percentage change from BL in weight were analyzed at Week 24 and Month 12. Achievement of >5% reduction in weight was also analyzed, with results presented as % (n/N: n=number meeting response threshold, N=number who were overweight/obese [BMI ≥25 kg/m2]) at BL and had available data at assessment [Week 24 and Month 12]). For predefined endpoints in the DBPC period, results are presented as LSM changes with LSMD and P-value. Results: Mean BMI at BL was 30.1 kg/m2 (crinecerfont) and 29.0 kg/m2 (placebo), and >70% of participants were overweight or obese (74.6% [91/122] crinecerfont; 63.3% [38/60] placebo). At Week 24, LSM changes from BL for crinecerfont vs placebo were as follows: BMI (-0.42 vs -0.02; LSMD: 0.40, P=0.1068); percent change in weight (1.45% vs -0.07%; LSMD: 1.38%, P=0.0856). At Month 12, further mean reductions from BL were observed with crinecerfont in BMI (-0.81 kg/m2 CFT/CFT, -0.44 kg/m2 PBO/CFT) and weight (-2.72% CFT/CFT, -1.37% PBO/CFT). Among participants who were overweight or obese at BL, a higher percentage achieved >5% reduction in weight at Week 24 with crinecerfont 18.4% (16/87) versus placebo 13.5% (5/37). At Month 12, 27.4% (23/84) and 38.9% (14/36) achieved this threshold in the CFT/CFT and PBO/CFT groups, respectively. Conclusion: Adults with CAH who received up to 1 year of crinecerfont showed reductions in BMI and weight. Among participants who were overweight or obese at BL, 30.8% achieved a >5% reduction in weight at Month 12. These analyses indicate that the substantial GC dose reductions enabled by crinecerfont can allow for improvements in the weight-related effects associated with chronic supraphysiologic GC exposure. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: S. Sharma Sharma: None. J. Saini: None. S.R. Chacko: None. S. Ahmadian: None. V. Fell: None. S.J. Achenbach: None. E.J. Atkinson: None. W.F. Young: None. I. Bancos: None. Context: The impact of active hypercortisolism on sleep is incompletely characterized. Several studies report impaired sleep in patients with Cushing syndrome (CS). Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) demonstrate an abnormal circadian cortisol secretion with mild nocturnal hypercortisolism that could also impact sleep. Objectives: To characterize sleep abnormalities and to identify factors associated with impaired sleep in patients with CS and MACS. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled adults with active CS and MACS evaluated between August 31, 2020, and December 2, 2024. Clinical and biochemical severity scores for hypercortisolism were calculated. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using 1) Short Form-36 (SF-36), physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries, and 2) Cushing QOL survey, with psychosocial and physical domains. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a global score of ≥5 was considered abnormal. Pearson correlations and linear regression models were used to explore associations with PSQI scores. Results: In 285 patients (226 [79%] women, 259 [91%] White, median age of 54 [IQR 44-64] years), MACS was diagnosed in 147 (52%) and CS in 138 (48%). Patients reported abnormal sleep (median PSQI of 12 (IQR 8-16) in CS vs 10 (IQR 7-15) in MACS (P=0.086). Most prevalent sleep abnormalities included report of “fairly bad” or “very bad” overall sleep quality (73% in CS and 54% in MACS) and report of severe day dysfunction due to sleepiness (70% in CS and 56% in MACS). In an age-, sex- and BMI- adjusted univariable analysis of patients with hypercortisolism, higher clinical hypercortisolism severity score (r=0.13, P=0.024) and worse QoL, as measured by SF-36 and Cushing QoL (P=<0.001 for all), were associated with higher PSQI scores, a reflection of poor sleep. In a multivariable analysis of patients with hypercortisolism, we found that younger age (est -0.08, P=<0.001), female sex (est 1.95, P=0.004), lower BMI (est -0.07, P=0.041), and higher clinical severity score (est 0.12, P=0.024) were associated with higher PSQI scores, indicating impaired sleep. In a multivariable analysis of only patients with MACS, female sex (est 2.17, P=0.012), lower BMI (est -0.12, P=0.017), and higher clinical severity score (est 0.24, P=0.003), but not age were associated with higher PSQI scores, indicating impaired sleep. In patients with CS, only younger age (est -0.12, P=<0.001), but not other variables were associated with higher PSQI scores. Conclusion: We found that patients with MACS have impaired sleep, possibly due to nocturnal hypercortisolism. In patients with MACS, but not CS, clinical hypercortisolism severity score was associated with more impaired sleep. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: A. Prete: HRA Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Diurnal. L. Adbi: None. J.T. Bain: None. F. Shaheen: None. O. Suntornlohanakul: None. E. Deflorenne: None. A. Blanchard: None. M. Nestola: None. C. Pamporaki: None. I. Tizianel: None. E. Nowak: None. J. Bertherat: None. D.A. Vassiliadi: None. I. Bancos: None. C.M. Dennedy: None. D. Kastelan: None. M. Fassnacht: None. P. Mulatero: None. U. Ambroziak: None. A. Tabarin: None. M. Quinkler: None. S. Puglisi: None. J. Deinum: None. G.Å. Ueland: None. L. Lenzini: None. F. Beuschlein: None. M. Reincke: None. F. Ceccato: None. G. Eisenhofer: None. S.M. Corsello: None. L. Amar: None. M. Zennaro: None. N. Karavitaki: None. A.E. Taylor: None. W. Arlt: None. Introduction: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol is used to diagnose Cushing’s syndrome (CS); amongst its limitations is failure to differentiate ACTH-dependent CS (AD-CS) from ACTH-independent CS (AI-CS). We tested the performance of urine steroid metabolomics (USM), the computational analysis of 24-hour urine steroid metabolome data by machine learning, for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CS. Given the physiological diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and its loss in CS, we also hypothesised that the difference in glucocorticoid excretion between CS and controls should be higher during nighttime, thereby facilitating more sensitive detection of CS. Methods: 264 subjects completed a 24-hour urine collection (40 AD-CS, 103 AI-CS due to adrenocortical adenoma or hyperplasia, 121 healthy subjects). A subset of 52 individuals (13 CS, 39 healthy) provided a nighttime urine collection and a daytime urine collection. Mass spectrometry-based multi-steroid profiling was used to quantify the urinary excretion of 27 steroid metabolites. Data were analysed by generalised matrix learning vector quantisation (a prototype-based supervised machine learning approach), multiple linear regression adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, and multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, and BMI. Results: Twenty-four-hour USM demonstrated very high accuracy in differentiating CS from healthy individuals (AUC-ROC 0.99, 95%CI 0.99-0.99), reflected by higher urinary excretion of glucocorticoid and glucocorticoid precursor metabolites in CS. USM yielded high accuracy in differentiating AD-CS from AI-CS (AUC-ROC 0.91, 95%CI 0.89-0.94), with androgen metabolites being the most discriminatory. We observed significant sex differences in steroid excretion in both healthy individuals and those with CS. Women exhibited markedly lower excretion of both glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids compared to men: average glucocorticoid excretion was reduced by 43% in healthy women and 30% in CS women, while average mineralocorticoid excretion was 29% lower in healthy women and 51% lower in CS women (results adjusted for age and BMI). Timed steroid excretion in healthy individuals reflected the diurnal pattern of adrenal steroid secretion, with lower nighttime than daytime excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites. Nighttime glucocorticoid metabolite excretion (AUC-ROC 1.00, 95%CI 0.99-1.00) performed better than daytime (AUC-ROC 0.91, 95%CI 0.77-1.00) and 24-hour excretion (AUC-ROC 0.94, 95%CI 0.86-1.00) in separating CS cases from healthy individuals. Conclusions: USM is a non-invasive, one-step candidate test for the accurate diagnosis and differential diagnosis of CS. Timed nighttime urine collection leverages cortisol circadian rhythmicity and improves the diagnostic accuracy of the current reference standard 24-hour collection. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: S. Sharma Sharma: None. J. Saini: None. S.R. Chacko: None. S. Ahmadian: None. V. Fell: None. S. Achenbach: None. A. Peersen: None. E. Atkinson: None. W.F. Young: None. I. Bancos: None. Context: Patients with MACS demonstrate an abnormal circadian cortisol secretion with mild nocturnal hypercortisolism that could impact sleep. Objectives: 1) To characterize sleep abnormalities and to identify factors associated with impaired sleep in patients with MACS. 2) To compare sleep abnormalities between patients with MACS and referent subjects. Methods: We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of prospectively enrolled adults with MACS evaluated between August 31, 2020, and April 03, 2025. In parallel, we conducted a referent subject study between May 15, 2019, and May 02, 2023. Referent subjects were eligible if they had abdominal cross-sectional imaging without evidence of an adrenal mass. For patients with MACS, clinical and biochemical severity scores for hypercortisolism were calculated. In both groups, quality of life was assessed using Short Form-36 (SF-36), physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a global score of ≥5 was considered abnormal. Pearson correlations and linear regression models were used to explore associations with PSQI scores. Results: The total cohort included 167 patients with MACS and 89 referent subjects. No differences in age (median 60 vs 56 years, P= 0.122) and sex (71% vs 67% females, P= 0.523) were observed between patients with MACS and referents. However, median BMI was higher in patients with MACS (32 28 kg/m2 [IQR 28-38] vs 28 kg/m2 [IQR 24-32], P= < 0.001). Patients with MACS had more impaired sleep than referent subjects (median PSQI 11 [IQR 7-15] vs 5 [IQR 3-7], P= <0.001). In an age-, sex- and BMI- adjusted univariable analysis, lower PCS and MCS scores were associated with poor sleep in both referents (r= -0.45, P= <0.001 and r= -0.29, P= 0.008) and patients with MACS (r= -0.36 and -0.38, P= <0.001), however, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was not. In patients with MACS, both higher clinical and biochemical severity scores were associated with poor sleep (r=0.20, P=0.012) and (r= 0.15, P= 0.050). Multivariable analysis of age, sex, BMI, clinical severity and OSA demonstrated that women (est 2.35, P= 0.004), lower BMI (est -0.13, P= 0.014) and higher clinical severity score (est 0.17, P=0.026), but not OSA were associated with impaired sleep in patients with MACS. All PSQI subcomponents were higher in patients with MACS vs referents, indicating poor sleep-most significantly, sleep quality score (OR 3.93, 95% CI: 2.58-6.29), sleep disturbance score (OR 3.73, 95% CI: 2.28-6.37) and daytime dysfunction score (OR 4.74, 95% CI: 2.29-10.75). Conclusion: Patients with MACS report impaired sleep, and women with lower BMI and higher clinical hypercortisolism severity scores are more affected. Reversing abnormal nocturnal hypercortisolism may improve sleep. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: B. Salama: None. M. Bassiony: None. J. Saini: None. P. Dogra: None. E. Atkinson: None. J. Larson: None. I. Vodanovic: None. D. Kastelan: None. D.A. Delivanis: None. J. Hubska: None. U. Ambroziak: None. I. Bancos: None. Background: Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Patients with Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (MACS) demonstrate a high prevalence of frailty, however, no data are available on the impact of management on frailty progression. Objectives: To determine the impact of conservative vs surgical management on and the progression of frailty in patients with MACS. Methods: We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with (MACS), primary aldosteronism (PA), or non-functioning adrenal adenomas (NFA) between June 2020 and April 2025. Participants completed standardized frailty assessment (frailty index) at baseline and annually. Results: A total of 691 patients were included: 253 with MACS (median age 62 years, 73% women, 230 with NFA (median age 62 years, 67% women), and 208 with PA (median age 54 years, 50% women). At baseline, prevalence of frailty was highest patients with MACS (39%), followed by patients with PA (31%) and NFA (24%). Frailty was reassessed at 1 year post baseline in 189 patients with NFA (22% frail, median frailty index of 0.17) and 116 patients with MACS (27% frail, median frailty index of 0.16) managed conservatively, as well as in 108 patients with MACS treated with adrenalectomy (49% frail, median frailty score of 0.24). Conservatively treated patients with MACS and those treated with adrenalectomy had similar post-dexamethasone cortisol (median 2.9 mcg/dL vs 3.1 mcg/dL, p=0.396), but were older (median age 65 years vs 58 years, p=0.001) At one year follow up, patients with MACS treated with adrenalectomy demonstrated an improvement in frailty when compared to conservative management (delta frailty index: Est of −0.044, p = 0.004), after adjusting for age and sex. In contrast, when compared to conservatively managed patients with NFA, conservatively managed patients with MACS demonstrated worse frailty at 1 year follow up (delta frailty index: Est of 0.028, p = 0.013). Conclusion: In comparison to patients with NFA, conservatively managed patients with MACS demonstrated worse frailty at 1 year follow up. In contrast, adrenalectomy in patients with MACS led to improvement of frailty. Frailty index could be valuable to identify patients most likely to benefit from adrenalectomy. Patients with higher baseline frailty scores were more likely to undergo adrenalectomy, Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Abstract Disclosure: S.R. Chacko: None. C. Powell: None. B. Ndovu: None. E.Y. Ferreira: None. R. Rosenberg: None. J. Saini: None. S. Nevin: None. K. Yu: None. V. Fell: None. J.J. Larson: None. E. Atkinson: None. I. Bancos: Funding for investigator-initiated research from Esteve. Context: Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), found in about 50% of patients with adrenal incidentalomas, is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. While adrenalectomy improves outcomes in unilateral MACS, safe and effective medical therapy is needed for bilateral MACS. Objectives: To evaluate the tolerability and safety of overnight metyrapone in adults with MACS. Methods: Study design: Open-Label, Phase 2, Clinical Trial (NCT06106295) Participants: Patients >18-years-old with MACS and benign adrenal imaging phenotype were prospectively enrolled between December 2023 and January 2025. MACS was diagnosed based on 1 mg post-dexamethasone suppression test serum cortisol >1.8 mcg/dL. Eligibility required at least one MACS-associated comorbidity (obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, osteopenia or osteoporosis). Intervention: Metyrapone was administered at an initial dose of 250 mg each evening with up titration in 250 mg increments every 2-4 weeks based on tolerance, to a maximum of 1000 mg. Outcomes: The primary endpoint was assessment of treatment-related adverse events (AE), categorized by CTCAE grade. Adrenal insufficiency (AI) was considered an AE, assessed on biochemistry and AddiQoL survey. Sample size: 30 patients projected Results: Twenty-six patients with MACS [median age 66 years (IQR 61-68), 69% women] were enrolled. At the time of analysis, median metyrapone dose was 1000 mg (IQR 750-1000). At median follow-up of 3 months (IQR 2-6), 22 patients (85%) developed at least one AE. None were serious, aside from one patient with an acute kidney injury (AKI), unlikely related to metyrapone. All other AEs were CTCAE Grade 1-2, including dizziness 12%, nausea 6% and fatigue 5%. Of all 90 AEs, 12 (13%) occurred at a dose of 250 mg, 10 (11%) at 500 mg, 20 (22%) at 750 mg and 48 (53%) at 1000 mg. One (1%) was definitely related to metyrapone (hypokalemia), 16 (18%) probably related, 20 (22%) possibly related, 35 (39%) unlikely to be related, and 18 (20%) unrelated to metyrapone. Dose was reduced in 5 patients (19%) due to an AE. Two discontinued metyrapone, one because of AKI, while the other withdrew from the study. Morning serum cortisol was not significantly changed between baseline [11.5 (IQR 9.2-14.8)], 3 months [12.0 (IQR 11.0-15.0)], and 6 months [9.7 (IQR 7.9-12.5)] (normal: 4.8-20 mcg/dL). No patient developed AI (morning serum cortisol <10 mcg/dL and ACTH >60 pg/ml), but plasma ACTH significantly increased from baseline to 3 months [8.0 (IQR 5.4-20.8) vs. 18.0 (IQR 14.0-28.0), P=0.021] (normal: 10-60 pg/ml). Between 3 and 6 months, no significant change occurred in ACTH. AddiQol survey scores did not change significantly between baseline, 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: Metyrapone therapy in patients with MACS demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no occurrence of AI. Further investigation into efficacy and MACS-associated outcomes is warranted. Presentation: Sunday, July 13, 2025

OBJECTIVE Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) often present with associated mild hyperprolactinemia, described in literature as "stalk effect." The presence of preoperative hyperprolactinemia caused by tumor compression of the pituitary stalk and endocrinological outcomes has been noted; however, a detailed investigation on the impact on perioperative endocrinological outcome is lacking. The authors aimed to determine whether elevated preoperative serum prolactin concentrations are associated with increased risk of perioperative pituitary dysfunction in patients with NFPAs undergoing endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). METHODS The authors conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent ETS for NFPAs between January 2013 and April 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative prolactin concentrations: normal or hyperprolactinemic (prolactin values above upper limit of reference range, adjusted for sex). Outcomes included perioperative endocrinological function and surgical outcomes. Multivariable analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with perioperative endocrinological function outcomes. RESULTS Of 244 patients (140 [57%] males; median age 59 years) with a median follow-up of 65 months, 131 (54%) had hyperprolactinemia. Compared with patients with normal preoperative prolactin levels (n = 113), the hyperprolactinemia group had similar tumor size (median diameter 2.5 cm vs 2.3 cm, p = 0.102) but higher rates of cavernous sinus invasion (99% vs 91%, p = 0.035), pituitary stalk deviation (95% vs 74%, p = 0.001), stalk bending (14% vs 1%, p = 0.001), preoperative secondary hypothyroidism (39% vs 22%, p = 0.005), and adrenal insufficiency (AI; 34% vs 22%, p = 0.048). Postoperatively, the hyperprolactinemia group showed higher rates of new secondary hypothyroidism (16% vs 7%, p = 0.048) and new permanent AI (16% vs 6%, p = 0.046). Multivariable analysis revealed preoperative high prolactin as an independent predictor of preoperative secondary hypothyroidism (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17–3.44; p = 0.046) and its postoperative deterioration (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.02–7.69; p = 0.042). Maximum tumor diameter was also a significant predictor of various endocrinological dysfunctions both pre- and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative hyperprolactinemia in patients with NFPA is associated with higher risks of specific perioperative endocrinological dysfunction and pronounced pituitary stalk deviation. These findings highlight the utility of preoperative prolactin levels as a biomarker for predicting postoperative endocrinological outcomes, potentially enhancing risk assessment and guiding personalized perioperative management.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an important class of cancer treatment. Endocrine immune-related adverse events (E-irAEs) account for a significant proportion of irAEs in ICI-treated patients. Diagnosing E-irAEs accurately and timely can be challenging in the absence of clear categorization and standardization across oncology, endocrinology and other specialties. While existing guidelines provide some broad directions to diagnosis and management, they lack clarity on irAE-specific symptom evaluation and work-up, as well as assessment of severity. These limitations can then impact triage, time-sensitive management and care escalation to specialists such as oncoendocrinologists. The objective of this study was to develop consensus-based statements on disease definitions for E-irAEs. A core working group of endocrinologists with expertise in the oncoendocrinology field drafted a survey with statements outlining the general approach to E-irAEs, disease definition and management approach of six specific diagnoses: ir-thyroiditis thyrotoxic phase, ir-thyroiditis hypothyroidism, ir-Graves’ disease, ir-hypophysitis, ir-adrenalitis and ir-type 1 diabetes mellitus. Severity grading tables were drafted for three disease categories—“thyroid”, “pituitary and adrenal”, and “diabetes mellitus”. A two-round modified Delphi process, using the RAND/University of California Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) Appropriateness Method, was employed. In this process, a 25-member voting panel consisting of endocrinologists, oncologists and other specialists and healthcare providers with experience in management of ICI-treated patients and irAEs was recruited. The panel rated anonymously on usability, accuracy, appropriateness or agreement of 41 items on a 9-point scale in Survey 1, after which a meeting was convened. Statements were modified based on voting results from Survey 1 and Meeting 1, and the process was repeated in Survey 2 and Meeting 2. At the end of this process, consensus was achieved for all statements. Our study findings address the gap in standardized nomenclature, clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluations, and management principles of E-irAEs. With consensus achieved from a panel of experts from a variety of disciplines, we anticipate that the statements can form the basis for standardization of the diagnostic process and improvement of patient care.