Fonseca, Vivian

OBJECTIVE In many individuals, type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains poorly controlled despite taking multiple glucose-lowering therapies. Several studies have demonstrated that endogenous hypercortisolism is prevalent among these individuals. We tested whether cortisol-directed therapy improves their glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this prospective, multicenter, double-blind study, 136 individuals with T2D (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 7.5%–11.5% [58–102 mmol/mol] on multiple medications) and hypercortisolism (by dexamethasone suppression test) were randomized 2:1 to the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (300–900 mg once daily; n = 91) or placebo (n = 45) for 24 weeks, with stratification by presence/absence of an adrenal imaging abnormality. The primary end point was the change in HbA1c. Secondary end points included changes in glucose-lowering medications, weight, and waist circumference and safety. RESULTS Mean baseline HbA1c in the study cohort was 8.55% (69.9 mmol/mol). At 24 weeks, the least squares mean (LSM) difference from placebo in HbA1c was −1.32% (95% CI −1.81 to −0.83; P < 0.001). Participants receiving mifepristone experienced reductions in body weight and waist circumference (placebo-adjusted LSM differences of −5.12 kg [95% CI −8.20 to −2.03] and −5.1 cm [−8.23 to −1.99], respectively). Of participants on mifepristone, 46% discontinued therapy, compared with 18% on placebo. Adverse events with mifepristone (>10% of participants) included hypokalemia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, peripheral edema, diarrhea, and dizziness, consistent with mifepristone’s known tolerability profile. Increases in blood pressure also occurred. CONCLUSIONS In individuals with inadequately controlled T2D and hypercortisolism, cortisol-directed medical therapy with mifepristone reduced HbA1c, with a manageable tolerability profile.

OBJECTIVE Despite the use of multiple glucose-lowering medications, glycemic targets are not met in a significant fraction of people with type 2 diabetes. In this prospective, observational study we assessed the prevalence of hypercortisolism, a potential contributing factor to inadequate glucose control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Individuals with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 7.5%–11.5% (58–102 mmol/mol) on two or more glucose-lowering medications with or without micro-/macrovascular complications or taking multiple blood pressure–lowering medications were screened with a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test. Common causes of false-positive DSTs were excluded. The primary end point was the prevalence of hypercortisolism, defined as post-DST cortisol >1.8 μg/dL (50 nmol/L). Characteristics associated with hypercortisolism were assessed with multiple logistic regression. The percentage and characteristics of participants with hypercortisolism and adrenal imaging abnormalities were also assessed. RESULTS Post-DST cortisol was unsuppressed in 252 of 1,057 participants (prevalence 23.8%; 95% CI 21.3, 26.5). Hypercortisolism prevalence was 33.3% among participants with cardiac disorders and 36.6% among those taking three or more blood pressure–lowering medications. Adrenal imaging abnormalities were reported in 34.7% of participants with hypercortisolism. Use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (odds ratio 1.558), maximum-dose glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (1.544), tirzepatide (1.981), or a higher number of blood pressure–lowering medications (1.390); older age (1.316); BMI <30 kg/m2 (1.639); non-Latino/Hispanic ethnicity (3.718); and use of fibrates (2.676) or analgesics (1.457) were associated with higher prevalence (all P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Hypercortisolism was associated with hyperglycemia in approximately one-quarter of individuals with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes despite multiple medications.

Abstract Disclosure: J.P. Frias: Advisory Board Member; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Other; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. R.J. Auchus: Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Grant Recipient; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Speaker; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Other; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. I. Bancos: None. L. Blonde: Advisory Board Member; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Other; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. R.S. Busch: Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Speaker; Self; Bayer, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Amgen Inc, Eli Lilly & Company, AstraZeneca. J.B. Buse: Advisory Board Member; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Jansen Pharmaceuticals, Mannkind Corporation, Sanofi, Alkahest, Altimmune, Anji, Biomea Fusion Inc, CeQur, Cirius Therapeutics Inc, GentiBio, Glycadia, Glyscend, Mellitus Health, Moderna, Pendulum Therapeutics, Praetego, Stability Health, Valo, Zealand Pharma. Consulting Fee; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Janssen, Mannkind Corporation, Sanofi, Alkahest, Altimmune, Anji, Biomea Fusion Inc, CeQur, Cirius Therapeutics Inc, Dasman Diabetes Center (Kuwait), Fortress Biotech, GentiBio, Glycadia, Glyscend, Mediflix, Medscape, Mellitus Health, Moderna, Pendulum Therapeutics, Praetego, ReachMD, Stability Health, Valo, Zealand Pharma. Grant Recipient; Self; Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, VTV Therapeutics, Nanotype, NIH, NovaTarg, Tolerion, Dexcom. Stock Owner; Self; Glyscend, Mellitus Health, Pendulum Therapeutics, PhaseBio, Praetego, Stability Health. Other; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Novo Nordisk, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Zealand, Association for Clinical and Translational Science. R.A. DeFronzo: None. J.W. Findling: Advisory Board Member; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. V. Fonseca: Advisory Board Member; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. O. Hamidi: Advisory Board Member; Self; Corcept Therapeutics, Lantheus, Recordati Rare Diseases, Neurocrine Biosciences, Amryt, Novo Nordisk, Strongbridge. Consulting Fee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Y. Handelsman: Consulting Fee; Self; Amgen Inc, Applied Therapeutic, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Corcept Therapeutics, Esperion, Mannkind Corporation, Merck, Pfizer, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Vertis. Grant Recipient; Self; Amgen Inc, Applied Therapeutic, Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Regor. Speaker; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer, Inc., Esperion, Novo Nordisk, Vertis, Amarin. R.E. Pratley: Consulting Fee; Self; Bayer, Inc., Corcept Therapeutics, Gasherbrum Bio, Inc, Hanmi, Hengrui (USA) Ltd, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Inc., Rivus Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Sanofi, Scohia Pharma Inc, Dexcom. Grant Recipient; Self; Hanmi, Metavention, Novo Nordisk, Poxel SA. Speaker; Self; Novo Nordisk. J. Rosenstock: Advisory Board Member; Self; Applied Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Hanmi, Novo Nordisk, Oramed, Sanofi, Structure Therapeutics, Zealand. Consulting Fee; Self; Applied Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Hanmi, Novo Nordisk, Oramed, Sanofi, Structure Therapeutics, Zealand. Grant Recipient; Self; Applied Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly & Company, Hanmi, Merck, Oramed, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Inc., Sanofi. I. Tudor: Employee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Stock Owner; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. A.G. Moraitis: Employee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. D. Einhorn: Employee; Self; Corcept Therapeutics. Studies suggest that the prevalence of hypercortisolism in persons with difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes (T2D) is higher than is currently appreciated. A recently published meta-analysis suggests that the prevalence of hypercortisolism is higher in persons with T2D who require a greater number of antihyperglycemic agents and/or who have more comorbidities. To better understand the prevalence and whether treatment of hypercortisolism may result in better control of diabetes and other hypercortisolism-associated comorbidities, we describe a 2-part phase 4 study in adults with difficult-to-control T2D (HbA1c 7.5-11.5%) despite receiving multiple antihyperglycemic agents. The study will be conducted at approximately 30 sites in the United States. In Part 1, approximately 1000 persons with difficult-to-control T2D will be screened with a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test. Those responding with serum cortisol >1.8 µg/dL (50 nmol/L) and dexamethasone levels ≥140 ng/dL (3.6 nmol/L) will have adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol measured in fasting blood samples obtained between 7-9 AM and a non-contrast adrenal computed tomography scan. Patients who may have ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism will be discontinued from the study and referred for further evaluation. The primary study endpoint is determining the prevalence of ACTH-independent hypercortisolism and will be evaluated in Part 1. Patients identified to have ACTH-independent hypercortisolism will advance to Part 2, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. Patients will be randomized 2:1 to mifepristone or placebo, stratified by the presence or absence of adrenal adenomas on CT, and receive treatment for 24 weeks. The mifepristone dose will be 300 mg once daily for 4 weeks, then increased to 600 mg daily for 20 weeks based on clinical assessment of tolerability and degree of improvement. There will be an option to increase to mifepristone 900 mg. Placebo will be titrated accordingly from 1 up to 3 tablets. Part 2 will assess the secondary endpoint of change in HbA1c from baseline to 24 weeks, as well as changes in hypercortisolism-related comorbidities (e.g., blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, quality of life). This will be the first prospective study to assess the prevalence of ACTH-independent hypercortisolism in persons with difficult-to-control T2D and the first prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the potential benefits and safety of treatment with mifepristone in this patient population. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Background PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors effectively lower LDL (low‐density lipoprotein) cholesterol and have been shown to reduce cardiovascular outcomes in high‐risk patients. We used real‐world electronic health record data to characterize use of PCSK9 inhibitors, in addition to standard therapies, according to cardiovascular risk status. Methods and Results Data were obtained from 18 health systems with data marts within the National Patient‐Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) using a common data model. Participating sites identified >17.5 million adults, of whom 3.6 million met study criteria. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: (1) dyslipidemia, (2) untreated LDL ≥130 mg/dL, and (3) coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease. Demographics, comorbidities, estimated 10‐year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, and lipid‐lowering pharmacotherapies were summarized for each group. Participants’ average age was 62 years, 50% were female, and 11% were black. LDL cholesterol ranged from 85 to 151 mg/dL. Among patients in groups 1 and 3, 54% received standard lipid‐lowering therapies and a PCSK9 inhibitor was prescribed in <1%. PCSK9 inhibitor prescribing was greatest for patients with coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease and, although prescribing increased during the study period, overall PCSK9 inhibitor prescribing was low. Conclusions We successfully used electronic health record data from 18 PCORnet data marts to identify >3.6 million patients meeting criteria for 3 patient groups. Approximately half of patients had been prescribed lipid‐lowering medication, but <1% were prescribed PCSK9 inhibitors. PCSK9 inhibitor prescribing increased over time for patients with coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease but not for those with dyslipidemia.