Severe McCune–Albright Syndrome Presenting with Neonatal Cushing Syndrome: Navigating Through Clinical Obstacles

Background: Café-au-lait skin macules, Cushing syndrome (CS), hyperthyroidism, and liver and cardiac dysfunction are presenting features of neonatal McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS), CS being the rarest endocrine feature. Although spontaneous resolution of hypercortisolism has been reported, outcome is usually unfavorable. While a unified approach to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up is lacking, herein successful treatment and long-term follow-up of a rare case is presented.

Clinical case: An 11-day-old girl born small for gestational age presented with deterioration of well-being and weight loss. Large hyperpigmented macules on the trunk, hypertension, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, and elevated liver enzymes were noted. ACTH-independent CS due to MAS was diagnosed. Although metyrapone (300 mg/m2/day) was started on the 25th day, complete remission could not be achieved despite increasing the dose up to 1,850 mg/m2/day. At 9 months, right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy was performed. Cortisol decreased substantially, ACTH remained suppressed, rapid tapering of hydrocortisone to physiological dose was not tolerated, and supraphysiological doses were required for 2 months. GNAS analysis from the adrenal tissue showed a pathogenic heterozygous mutation. During 34 months of follow-up, in addition to CS due to MAS, fibrous dysplasia, hypophosphatemic rickets, and peripheral precocious puberty were detected. She is still regularly screened for other endocrinopathies.

Conclusion: Neonatal CS due to MAS is extremely rare. Although there is no specific guideline for diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up, addressing side effects and identifying treatment outcomes will improve quality of life and survival.

Introduction

McCune–Albright syndrome (MAS) is a rare mosaic disorder of remarkable complexity with an estimated prevalence of 1/100,000 and 1/1,000,000 (1). Timing of postzygotic missense gain of function mutation of GNAS encoding stimulatory Gαs determines the extent of tissue involvement, imposing a unique clinical phenotype. Although a combination of two or more classical features, such as fibrous dysplasia of bone (FD), café-au-lait skin macules, and hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies (gonadotropin-independent gonadal function, nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism, growth hormone excess, and neonatal hypercortisolism), are diagnostic, renal, hepatobiliary, and cardiac involvement have also been reported (24).

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent adrenal Gαs activation results in the rarest endocrine feature of MAS, which almost invariably presents in the neonatal period: Cushing syndrome (CS). Due to greater burden of Gαs-mutation-bearing cells, the presence of CS is correlated with increased number of accompanying features of MAS and a poorer outcome. Although there is spontaneous resolution in 33% of cases with neonatal CS, mortality occurs with a high rate of 20% (4).

A dilemma for the clinician is that most publications to date have been case reports, and there is as yet no guideline for diagnosis, treatment, or follow-up. Here, a rare case of severe CS due to MAS, underlining the unique clinical phenotype specific to the neonatal period, is presented. Our goal is to offer a practical approach based on 3 years of clinical experience of this rare disorder that will help navigate challenges during follow-up.

Case presentation

A baby girl, born small for gestational age with a birthweight of 2,340 g (−2.1 SDS) and a head circumference of 32.6 cm (−1.61 SDS) was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in the first day of life for respiratory distress. She was the second child of a healthy non-consanguineous Caucasian couple, born 38 weeks of gestation via cesarean section following an uneventful pregnancy. Alanine aminotransferase [ALT, 2,376 U/L (normal, 0–40)] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST, 875 U/L (normal, 0–40)] were elevated; gamma-glutamyl transferase and bilirubin were normal. Antibiotics were administered intravenously after a diagnosis of possible neonatal sepsis. Respiratory distress resolved, and liver enzymes decreased (ALT, 687 U/L; AST, 108 U/L). As soon as the antimicrobial treatment was completed, she was discharged in the seventh day of life.

She was referred to our center, 4 days later, for failure to thrive (2,315 g), difficulty in feeding, and deterioration of general health. On physical examination, round facies, elongated philtrum and retro-micrognatia, hyperpigmented macules both at the front and back of the trunk and on labia majora, which do not cross midline, and hypertrichosis on the forehead and extremities were noted (Supplementary Figure S1). Newborn reflexes were hypoactive, blood pressure was 100/70 mmHg, and second-degree cardiac murmur was also detected. Systems were normal otherwise. Laboratory findings revealed hyponatremia, impaired renal and liver function tests, tubulopathy, and proteinuria, while blood count was normal (hemoglobin, 10.4 g/dl; leukocyte, 25.0 × 103/μl; platelet count, 449×103/μl) (Table 1). Hyponatremia resolved with fluid treatment, while liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine remained elevated. Further endocrine evaluation revealed an elevated serum basal cortisol [225.68 g/dl (N, 6.7–22.6 µg/dL)] and 24-h urinary free cortisol [1,129 μg/day (N, 1.4–20 μg/day)]. Serum cortisol was not suppressed during overnight high-dose dexamethasone suppression test (Table 2) (5). Thyroid hormones were consistent with non-thyroidal illness.

Table 1
www.frontiersin.orgTable 1 Laboratory investigations on admission, prior to medical treatment (19 days), after medical treatment (6 months), and post-adrenalectomy.

Table 2
www.frontiersin.orgTable 2 Endocrine evaluation prior to medical treatment (19 days), after medical treatment (6 months), and post-adrenalectomy.

ACTH-independent CS and café-au-lait spots suggested MAS. Hypercortisolism-related complications emerged. On the 11th day, hyperglycemia (blood glucose, 250 mg/dl) was seen, and it persisted after cessation of intravenous fluids in the exclusively breastfed neonate; thus, 0.5 U subcutaneous neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (NPH) (three times a day) was initiated on the 16th day of life when blood glucose was 340 mg/dl, and serum insulin was 18.10 μIU/ml. Hypertension (110/90 mmHg) and hypokalemia were triggered by mineralocorticoid action of excessive cortisol on 20th day. Spironolactone (2 mg/kg/day) was started, and nifedipine (0.5 mg/kg/day) was added in order to control blood pressure (Supplementary Figure S2). Since immunosuppressive effects of excess cortisol may increase the risk for opportunistic infections, Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis was started and live vaccines were postponed.

Features of MAS and accompanying hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies were screened (Table 2). On ultrasonography, adrenal glands were hypertrophic; kidneys showed increased parenchymal echogenicity, loss of separation between the cortex and medulla, and enhanced medullary echogenicity; and size and echogenicity of the liver were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen confirmed that adrenal glands were hypertrophic (right and left adrenal gland were 24×22×18 mm and 18×19×20 mm in size, respectively) and lobulated. Echocardiogram revealed left ventricular hypertrophy. Bone survey verified generalized decrease in bone mass and revealed areas of irregular ossification and radiolucency in radius, ulna, and distal tibia, which were interpreted as osteoporosis due to hypercortisolism (Supplementary Figure S1).

Medical treatment

Metyrapone (300 mg/m2/day, per oral, in four doses) was started on the 25th day (Supplementary Figure S2) (6). Since liver function tests were impaired, metyrapone was preferred over ketoconazole. Soon after metyrapone was started, hyperglycemia and hypertension improved, enabling the discontinuation of insulin and nifedipine. Spironolactone was also gradually tapered and discontinued after 13 days of metyrapone treatment, and she was discharged.

The dose of metyrapone was adjusted frequently, according to clinical findings and serum cortisol levels during regular visits. However, even after gradually increasing metyrapone dose to 1,850 mg/m2/day over the course of 6 months, total biochemical suppression of serum cortisol could not be achieved (Supplementary Figure S3A), and the patient had progressive loss of bone mineral density, persistent left ventricular hypertrophy, and a lack of catch-up growth. In addition to that, café-au-lait macules became darker, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) gradually increased (Table 2), and previously non-existent marked clitoromegaly was noted as a side effect of high-dose metyrapone. She was also prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid (15 mg/kg/day); however, liver enzymes remained high (Table 1).

Right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy

Right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy was carried out at 9 months of age in light of the patient’s continued clinical findings of hypercortisolism, the existence of unfavorable prognostic markers (high cortisol levels upon admission and heart and liver problems), and the adverse effects of high-dose metyrapone. The patient was administered 100 mg/m2/day glucocorticoids (GC) perioperatively; however, she developed symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. The required GC dose to attain euglycemia, restore general well-being, and resolve adrenal insufficiency was 300 mg/m2/day. Fludrocortisone (0.05 mg/day) was also started. Following surgery, supraphysiological doses of GC were required, as she suffered frequent symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (hypoglycemia, malaise, and loss of appetite). GC dose could be tapered very slowly, and a daily dose of 15 mg/m2/day could be attained in 2 months.

As liver function tests, serum cortisol levels and left ventricular hypertrophy all improved following adrenalectomy (Table 1). Bilateral nodular adrenal hyperplasia was observed in the pathological evaluation of surgical specimen, while the findings of liver wedge biopsy were non-specific (Supplementary Figure S4). Sequence analysis of GNAS from the surgical sample of adrenal gland revealed a heterozygous, previously described missense mutation in exon 8 (c.2530C>A, p.Arg844Ser), while the sequence analysis of the GNAS gene from peripheral blood sample was normal. Lymphocyte activation was normal 3 months post-adrenalectomy, and immunization schedule for live vaccines was established.

Other findings of MAS

She had breast development and vaginal bleeding that lasted 2 days when she was 7 months old, which repeated five more times after the adrenalectomy till 26 months of age. Breast development was Tanner stage 3, and bone age was markedly advanced (4 years and 2 months), despite severe hypercortisolism. On pelvic ultrasonography, uterus was enlarged to 34×22×24 mm; thus, letrozole (0.625 mg, per oral) was started at 26 months of age.

She also developed marked hypophosphatemia at the age of 6 months (Table 1). Radiological investigations since birth demonstrated severe osteopenia and lytic lesions, which were attributed to severe hypercortisolism; however, overt lesions of FD were not confirmed. When she was 9 months old, FGF-23 was elevated [122 pg/ml (normal <52)], which suggested hypophosphatemic rickets associated with FD. Oral phosphate (8 mg/kg) and calcitriol (18 ng/kg) were started. At the age of 23 months, bone survey revealed sclerosis of the base of the skull and maxilla and FD in the lower extremities. She has been on oral phosphate (58.7 mg/kg/day), while calcitriol was ceased.

She is now 34 months old with severe short stature [height, 81 cm (−3.5 SDS); weight, 9,580 g (−3.7SDS)] (Supplementary Figure S3B). She had been under regular clinic visits and has been on 15 mg/m2/day hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone 0.025 mg/day, letrozole (1×6.25 mg/day), phosphate (58 mg/kg), and ursodeoxycholic acid (100 mg/day) (Supplementary Figure S2). She has six words, cannot form two-word sentences, shows body parts, cannot stand up from supine position without support, and takes a few steps with support. Despite regular physiotherapy and ergotherapy, developmental delay is evident (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III language scale, 13/79; motor scale, 2/46).

Discussion

ACTH-independent CS and café-au-lait macules suggested MAS in this case. Interestingly, this patient was admitted for hyponatremia and hyperglycemia requiring insulin treatment. Neonatal MAS and CS are rare conditions, and presentation of this case is quite unique (4).

The earlier the timing of somatic mutation, the greater the burden of Gsα-mutation-bearing cells leading to widespread tissue involvement in MAS. In the current case, adrenal, hepatic, cardiac, renal, and bone tissue involvement were evident in first weeks of life, while precocious puberty and hypophosphatemic rickets were observed later. A lifetime risk of additional tissue involvement is being acknowledged. CS is the rarest endocrine manifestation of MAS, which appears in <5%–7.1%. It presents exclusively within the first year of life (median age, 3.1 months) where features may develop as early as in utero (247). The fact that our case was SGA and had moon facies and hirsutism with impaired linear growth, weight gain, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and nephrocalcinosis detected in the neonatal period, suggested severe, in utero onset CS. Upon suspicion, both comorbidities (hyperthyroidism, excess growth hormone, FD, and cardiac and hepatobiliary function) of MAS and complications of GC excess (hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, nephrocalcinosis, decreased bone mineral density, and muscle atrophy) were assessed (13).

Since the initial description of MAS, only 20 neonates with CS have been described with various initial basal serum cortisol ranging from 9.6 to 80.1 µg/dl, and data regarding long-term follow-up and outcome are still developing (12811). Disease course is heterogenous, and spontaneous resolution of hypercortisolism has been reported (30%) since Gs-bearing cells are mostly located in the fetal adrenal zone, which normally undergoes apoptosis after birth. However, the outcome is mostly unfavorable in cases with extensive endocrine and extra-endocrine manifestations (12815). Brown et al. reported poorer prognosis and a lower likelihood of spontaneous remission of adrenal disease in patients with cardiac (cardiomyopathy) and liver involvement (hepatocellular adenomas, inflammatory adenomas, choledochal cysts, neonatal cholestasis, and hepatoblastoma). It was hypothesized that these patients have a greater burden of Gsα mutation (34).

Treatment of neonatal CS is a long and challenging path where both cortisol excess and its complications should be targeted. Marked hypercortisolism that precipitate neonatal diabetes requiring insulin treatment like our patient is rare and was previously reported only in six patients with CS (4). Until hypercortisolism is managed, hyperglycemia should be treated with insulin. Hypertension is due to mineralocorticoid effect of excess cortisol; thus, blood pressure lowering agents of choice should be aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone) or potassium-sparing diuretics.

The treatment strategy of hypercortisolism is determined by disease severity. In a mildly affected case, medical treatment with an expectation of spontaneous resolution (due to previously stated apoptosis of fetal adrenal zone) may be of choice (341619). Metyrapone, ketoconazole, and mitotane are medical options for lowering cortisol (2023). Since our patient had impaired liver function, metyrapone, a potent, rapid acting relatively selective inhibitor of 11-hydroxylase was preferred over ketoconazole for its low risk of hepatotoxicity. Reports reviewing adult data suggest an initial dose of 500–750 mg/day and achievement of biochemical control with 1,500 mg/day (23). However, the initial and maximum dose of metyrapone in neonates is unclear; some authors recommend 300 mg/m2/day in four equal doses (6). In our case, adequate biochemical and clinical suppression of cortisol with metyrapone was not achieved despite an increase in dose from 300 to 1,850 mg/m2/day.

There are important issues to be considered while using a steroidogenesis inhibitor like metyrapone. Monitoring biochemical response is essential, not only for dose titration and management of cortisol excess but also for adrenal insufficiency due to possible overtreatment. Clinical signs of adrenal insufficiency should always be questioned and assessed. The 24-h urinary free cortisol is the commonly used method; however, it may be impractical due to difficulties in the collection of urine in infants. Alternative methods may be the measurement of early morning serum cortisol and ACTH (23). Low ACTH level may indicate hypercortisolism or may be a sign of suppression due to long-term exposure to hypercortisolism. However, there are deadlocks to be considered in the evaluation of these measurements. A high cortisol level measured by immunoassays does not always indicate an actual elevation. It should be kept in mind that cortisol immunoassays exhibit significant cross-reactivity with cortisol precursors that may be elevated in patients treated with a steroidogenesis inhibitor (especially with metyrapone, which is known to increase 11-deoxycortisol). Such cross-reactivity can be a cause for overestimation of cortisol and may lead to risk of overtreatment (2425). It has been suggested that the patients on metyrapone should be biochemically monitored via specific methods, such as mass spectrometry (2426).

Metyrapone is a relatively selective inhibitor of 11-hydroxylase and 18-hydroxylase. Recent in vitro studies indicate greater inhibitory action of metyrapone on aldosterone synthase, resulting in significant reversible reduction in both cortisol and aldosterone. The loss of negative feedback leads to an increase in ACTH, which causes an accumulation of cortisol and aldosterone precursors resulting in an increase in adrenal androgens (23). Although we could not serologically prove an increase in ACTH, hyperpigmentation and the increase in adrenal androgens confirm this mechanism. As far as we know, an increase in DHEA-S causing virilization was an unreported side effect of metyrapone. Clinical (clitoromegaly and hirsutism) and laboratory (DHEA-S) signs of hyperandrogenism should be monitored when higher doses of metyrapone are required.

In the severely affected case with CS, where medical treatment is inadequate and the chance of spontaneous resolution is subsiding, adrenalectomy is indicated when medically feasible. Brown et al. suggested that the presence of comorbid cardiac and liver disease like in our case should prompt consideration for early adrenalectomy (4). Although a previous correlation with initial serum cortisol level and prognosis was not established, it may be speculated that excessively high serum cortisol level is associated with increased number of Gsα-mutation-bearing adrenal cells. Thus, we suggest that in neonatal CS due to MAS, initial very high serum cortisol levels, like our case, may be a negative prognostic factor both for spontaneous resolution and clinical response to medical treatment. In infants with severe CS, bilateral adrenalectomy is generally performed. Alternatives like unilateral adrenalectomy and one-side total, other-side three-quarters adrenalectomy may be considered to avoid the requirement for lifelong GC and mineralocorticoid replacement. Unilateral adrenalectomy was reported to successfully improve clinical symptoms and endocrinological status in adult studies; nevertheless, recurrence during follow-up was 23.1%, while 17.5% required contralateral adrenalectomy (2729). Since the causes of CS in adult series are variable and different from pediatric CS due to MAS, it should be borne in mind that reproducibility of adult data is poor. In CS due to MAS, Gsα-mutation-bearing adrenal gland cells are heterogeneously distributed, and partial adrenalectomy may carry the risk of inadequate management and recurrence. Only a few pediatric case reports addressed this issue. Unilateral adrenalectomy of the larger gland was performed in two neonates with CS due to MAS; remission was achieved for 2 years (3031). Itonaga et al. reported a 6-month-old neonate with MAS-associated CS treated with right-sided total adrenalectomy and left-sided half adrenalectomy with remission for 2 years (32). Although these cases were less severe [basal serum cortisol: 16.9, 18.5, and 23.4 µg/dl, respectively (N: 6.2–18.0 µg/dL)], we preferred to perform partial adrenalectomy (right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy) and succeeded. Our patient has been in remission for more than 2 years.

In the largest case–control analysis of CS in patients with MAS, overall mortality was 20% (six cases) where four of them were deceased following bilateral adrenalectomy (66.7% of all deaths) (4). Anaphylaxis (or adrenal insufficiency), sudden cardiac arrest, sepsis, and sudden death were listed as causes of mortality in those four cases where GC dose and process of GC tapering were not clearly described. The fact that our patient required high-dose GC during peri- and postoperative period to restore well-being, tapering to maintenance dose was very slow, and she is still on maintenance dose GC, suggests that rapid tapering of GCs should be avoided and, although being speculative, may explain sudden death following adrenalectomy.

Gross motor developmental delay may be caused by prenatal exposure to excess GCs. Prenatal GC treatment for possible congenital adrenal hyperplasia or risk of premature birth have been shown to result in cognitive deficits after birth. Furthermore, children who develop CS later in life may experience a decline in cognitive and school performance where the younger the age of onset, the greater the deterioration in IQ scores (343334). Since transgenic mice with Gsα mutation was shown to have short- and long-term memory deficits and impaired associative and spatial learning, it may also be speculated that Gsα mutation may also be present in the central nervous system (3536).

The establishment of diagnosis of FD follows a characteristic and predictable time course. Although GNAS mutations are acquired early in embryogenesis, skeletal development appears to be relatively normal in utero, without frank clinical signs of FD at birth. Boyce et al. affirmed that FD lesions become apparent over the first several years of life and expand during childhood and adolescence, like our case. Previous case reports have also stated severe osteoporosis, rickets, polyostotic irregular lucencies, pathological fractures, and biopsy-proven FD during infancy (12815). The exact pathophysiological mechanism is unclear, and Gsα activation in abnormally differentiated osteocytes is accused. FGF-23 overproduction is an inherent feature of FD, and most patients have elevated circulating levels of FGF-23, but frank hypophosphatemia is rare. The increase in FGF-23 is linked to substantial skeletal involvement. Although FGF-23 levels may wax and wane over time, an increase in FGF-23 usually occurs during periods of rapid growth like infancy and adolescence. Concurrent hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies like hyperthyroidism or CS may also adversely affect bone health.

Peripheral precocious puberty (PP) is the most frequent presenting feature in female patients with MAS (85%) (6). To date, a safe, effective, and long-term treatment for PP in girls with MAS has not been established. The benefits of current interventions on the ultimate outcome of interest, adult height, have not been well-established due to the rarity of the condition and heterogeneous nature of the disease. Despite the small sample size, studies have concluded that letrozole resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the bone age/chronological age ratio, growth velocity, hence increasing predicted adult height (37). Growth outcome in MAS is not only dependent on timing of pubertal onset but on several other disease components (skeletal involvement and endocrinopathies) as well. Hyperthyroidism and growth hormone excess may accelerate growth, while CS may decelerate it (3738).

Lack of consensus on both medical and surgical treatment strategies were major obstacles while navigating this case of severe neonatal MAS. The eminence of this report is that it presents current literature with clinical experience on this rare case of neonatal CS due to MAS. High index of suspicion for MAS in a neonate with extensive café-au-lait macules and symptoms of hypercortisolism is the key for early recognition and intervention. Initial excessive cortisol in neonatal CS may be a negative prognostic factor for spontaneous resolution and response to medical treatment, indicating early right total and left three-quarters adrenalectomy. Post-adrenalectomy survival may be related to close supervision during GC tapering.

Data availability statement

The datasets presented in this study can be found in online repositories. The names of the repository/repositories and accession number(s) can be found in the article/Supplementary Material.

Ethics statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the individual(s), and minor(s)’ legal guardian/next of kin, for the publication of any potentially identifiable images or data included in this article.

Author contributions

YU collected and analyzed data, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. OG collected data. İU, HH, BG, SE, and TK collected data and reviewed and revised the manuscript. ZO and EG analyzed data, conceptualized the work, and revised and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual and medical content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

We thank our patient’s family for providing consent for publication of this work.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1209189/full#supplementary-material

Supplementary Figure 1 | (A) The findings of physical and radiologic examination. Notice cushingoid facies, hyperpigmented macules that does not cross the midline at the front of the trunk. (B) Anteroposterior radiographs reveal irregularities in radius, ulna and femur. Although generalized osteopenia improves at 34 months, FD lesions become prominent over months.

Supplementary Figure 2 | Timeline of the course of symptoms in neonatal McCune Albright Syndrome noting adjustments made in treatment. Grey box denotes age in days for the first month of life then in months. NPH: Neutral Protamine Hagedorn insulin, CS: Cushing syndrome, PP: precocious puberty.

Supplementary Figure 3 | (A) Change in serum cortisol with increased metyrapone (methyrapone was initiated on day 25). (B) Growth chart, the arrow represents right total and left three quarters adrenalectomy.

Supplementary Figure 4 | Representative histological features of nodular adrenal hyperplasia. (A, B) show low-power while (C) Show high-power views.

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Keywords: McCune Albright syndrome, neonatal Cushing syndrome, metyrapone, adrenalectomy, follow-up

Citation: Unsal Y, Gozmen O, User İR, Hızarcıoglu H, Gulhan B, Ekinci S, Karagoz T, Ozon ZA and Gonc EN (2023) Case Report: Severe McCune–Albright syndrome presenting with neonatal Cushing syndrome: navigating through clinical obstacles. Front. Endocrinol. 14:1209189. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1209189

Received: 20 April 2023; Accepted: 04 July 2023;
Published: 25 July 2023.

Edited by:

Martin Oswald Savage, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom

Reviewed by:

Li Chan, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
Sasha R Howard, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
Tomoyo Itonaga, Oita University, Japan

Copyright © 2023 Unsal, Gozmen, User, Hızarcıoglu, Gulhan, Ekinci, Karagoz, Ozon and Gonc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Yagmur Unsal, yagmurunsal@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

From https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1209189/full

Post-Operative Cushing Syndrome Care

Justine Herndon, PA-C, and Irina Bancos, MD, on Post-Operative Cushing Syndrome Care

– Curative procedures led to widespread resolution or improvement of hyperglycemia

by Scott Harris , Contributing Writer, MedPage Today January 18, 2022

In a recent study, two-thirds of people with Cushing syndrome (CS) saw resolved or improved hyperglycemia after a curative procedure, with close post-operative monitoring an important component of the process.

Among 174 patients with CS included in the longitudinal cohort study (pituitary in 106, ectopic in 25, adrenal in 43), median baseline HbA1c was 6.9%. Of these, 41 patients were not on any therapy for hyperglycemia, 93 (52%) took oral medications, and 64 (37%) were on insulin.

At the end of the period following CS remission (median 10.5 months), 37 (21%) patients had resolution of hyperglycemia, 82 (47%) demonstrated improvement, and 55 (32%) had no change or worsened hyperglycemia. Also at the end of follow-up, HbA1c had fallen 0.84% (P<0.0001), with daily insulin dose decreasing by a mean of 30 units (P<0.0001).

Justine Herndon, PA-C, and Irina Bancos, MD, both endocrinology researchers with Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, served as co-authors of the report, which was published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. Here they discuss the study and its findings with MedPage Today. The exchange has been edited for length and clarity.

What was the study’s main objective?

Herndon: As both a hospital diabetes provider and clinic pituitary/gonadal/adrenal provider, I often hear questions from colleagues about how to manage a patient’s diabetes post-operatively after cure from CS. While clinical experience has been helpful in guiding these discussions, the literature offered a paucity of data on diabetes/hyperglycemia specifically after surgery. There was also a lack of data on specific subgroups of CS, whether by sub-type or severity.

Therefore, we felt it was important to see what our past patient experiences showed in terms of changes in laboratory data, medications, and which patients were more likely to see improvement in their diabetes/hyperglycemia. The overall goal was to help clinicians provide appropriate patient education and care following a curative procedure.

In addition to its primary findings, the study also identified several factors associated with resolution or improvement of hyperglycemia. What were these factors?

Bancos: Both clinical and biochemical severity of CS, as well as Cushing subtype, were associated with improvement. We calculated severity based on symptoms and presence of comorbidities, and we calculated biochemical severity based on hormonal measurements. As clinical and biochemical scores were strongly correlated, we chose only one (biochemical) for multivariable analysis.

In the multivariable analysis of biochemical severity of Cushing, subtype of Cushing, and subtype of hyperglycemia, we found that patients with a severe biochemical severity score were 2.4 fold more likely to see improved hyperglycemia than people with a moderate or mild severity score (OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.1-4.9). We also found that patients with the nonadrenal CS subtype were 2.9 fold more likely to see improved hyperglycemia when compared to people with adrenal CS (OR of 2.9 (95% CI 1.3-6.4).

The type of hyperglycemia (diabetes versus prediabetes) was not found to be significant.

Did anything surprise you about the study results?

Herndon: I was surprised to see improvement in hyperglycemia in patients who were still on steroids, as you would expect the steroids to still have an impact. This shows how much a CS curative procedure truly leads to changes in the comorbidities that were a result of the underlying disease.

Also, I was surprised that the type of hyperglycemia was not a predictor of improvement after cure, although it was quite close. We also had a few patients whose hyperglycemia worsened, and we could not find a specific factor that predicted which patients did not improve.

What are the study’s implications for clinicians who treat people with CS?

Bancos: We think our study shows the clear need for closer follow-up — more frequently than the typical three-to-six months for diabetes. This can be accomplished through review of more than just HbA1c, such as reviewing blood glucose logbooks, asking about hypoglycemia symptoms, and so forth.

Patients with severe CS who are being treated with insulin or hypoglycemic medications are especially likely to decrease their medications to avoid hypoglycemia during postoperative period.

Read the study here.

Bancos reported advisory board participation and/or consulting with Strongbridge, Sparrow Pharmaceutics, Adrenas Therapeutics, and HRA Pharma outside the submitted work. Herndon did not disclose any relevant financial relationships with industry.

Curative Treatment on Hyperglycemia in Cushing Syndrome

A retrospective analysis of data from more than 170 patients with Cushing syndrome and hyperglycemia provides insight into the effects of curative treatment on hyperglycemia among these patients.

An analysis of retrospective data from a 20-year period details the impact of curative treatment on hyperglycemia among patients with Cushing syndrome.

Led by a team of investigators from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, the study examined a cohort of 174 adult patients with Cushing Syndrome and determined 2-in-3 patients with hyperglycemia experienced resolution or improvement of hyperglycemia after a curative procedure.

“This is the first study to analyze the quantitative changes based on the time from the curative surgery, to assess the changes in the intensity of hyperglycemia therapy and identify predictors for hyperglycemia improvement,” wrote investigators.

A team led by Irina Bancos, MD, endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic Rochester, designed the current study with an interest in examining the impact of curative procedures on hyperglycemia and its management in patients with Cushing syndrome from electronic medical record data of patients treated at a referral center from 2000-2019. The primary purpose of the study was to assess the impact of curative procedures on extent of hyperglycemia and the secondary aim was to investigators how baseline factors might influence improvement of hyperglycemia at follow-up.

For inclusion in the analysis, patients needed to be at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with Cushing syndrome, and have hyperglycemia treated with a curative procedure from January 1, 2000-November 1, 2019. For the purpose of analysis, Cushing syndrome was diagnosed based on clinical evaluation by an endocrinologist and diagnosed according to the most recent guidelines. Hyperglycemia was defined according to American Diabetes Association guidelines.

The primary outcome of interest for the study was the resolution of hyperglycemia following resolution of Cushing syndrome. For the purpose of analysis, resolution was defined as absence of hyperglycemia without the need for antihyperglycemic therapy. Secondary outcomes of interest included changes in HbA1c, and the intensity of hyperglycemia management.

Overall, 174 patients were identified for inclusion in the study. This cohort had a median age of diagnosis of 51 (range, 16-82) years and 73% (n=127) were women. When assessing subtype of Cushing syndrome, the most common form was pituitary Cushing syndrome (60.9%), followed by ectopic (14.4%), and adrenal (24.7%). The median baseline HbA1c was 6.9% (range, 4.9-13.1), 24% of patients were not on any therapy for hyperglycemia, 52% were on oral medications, and 37% were on insulin (mean daily units, 58; range, 10-360).

When assessing differences between subtypes, results indicated those with pituitary Cushing syndrome were younger at the time of surgery (P=.0009), and included more women (P=.0023), and reported a longer duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis. Investigators noted patients with pituitary Cushing syndrome also had the highest clinical severity score (<.0001), but patients with ectopic Cushing syndrome had the highest biochemical severity score (P <.0001).

Following Cushing syndrome remission and at the end of follow-up, which occurred at a median of 10.5 months, 21% of patients demonstrated resolution of hyperglycemia, 47% demonstrated improvement, and 32% had no change or worsening hyperglycemia. When assessing secondary end points, results indicate HbA1c decreased by 0.84% (P <.0001) and daily insulin dose decreased by a mean of 30 units (P <.0001). Further analysis indicated hypercortisolism severity score (severe vs moderate/mild: OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-4.9) and Cushing syndrome subtype (nonadrenal vs adrenal: OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4) were associated with hyperglycemia improvement, but not type of hyperglycemia (diabetes vs prediabetes: OR, 2,1; 95% CI, 0.9-4.9) at the end of follow-up.

“We demonstrated that almost 70% of patients with CS demonstrate either resolution or improvement in hyperglycemia following CS remission. As a group, patients demonstrate a decrease in HbA1c, and can be treated with less insulin and fewer non-insulin agents. Patients with more severe hyperglycemia, ACTH-dependent CS, and more severe CS are more likely to improve after surgery,” added investigators.

This study, “The impact of curative treatment on hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing syndrome,” was published in The Journal of the Endocrine Society.

From https://www.endocrinologynetwork.com/view/obesity-overweight-responsible-for-1-in-5-future-thyroid-cancers-in-australia

What Causes Blood Sugar to Rise in Non-Diabetics?

High blood sugar or glucose, also called hyperglycemia, occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. High blood sugar is the primary symptom that underlies diabetes, but it can also occur in people who don’t have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, either because of stress or trauma, or gradually as a result of certain chronic conditions.

It is important to manage high blood sugar, even if you don’t have diabetes, because elevated blood glucose can delay your ability to heal, increase your risk of infections, and cause irreversible damage to your nerves, blood vessels, and organs, such as your eyes and kidneys. Blood vessel damage from high blood sugar also increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Non-Diabetic Hyperglycemia and Prediabetes

You are considered to have impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes if you have a fasting glucose level between 100–125 mg/dL, and hyperglycemia if your fasting blood glucose level is greater than 125 mg/dL, or greater than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after eating.

The body obtains glucose mainly through carbohydrate consumption, but also through the breakdown of glycogen to glucose—a process called glycogenolysis—or conversion of non-carbohydrate sources to glucose—called gluconeogenesis—that primarily occurs in the liver.

While 50% to 80% of glucose is used by the brain, kidneys, and red blood cells for energy, the remaining supply of glucose is used to produce energy. It is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles, and can be tapped into at a later time for energy or converted into fat tissue.

In healthy people, blood glucose levels are regulated by the hormone insulin to stay at a steady level of 80–100 mg/dL. Insulin maintains steady blood sugar by increasing the uptake and storage of glucose and decreasing inflammatory proteins that raise blood sugar when there is an excess of glucose in the blood.

Certain conditions can increase your blood glucose levels by impairing the ability of insulin to transport glucose out of the bloodstream. When this occurs, you develop hyperglycemia, which puts you at an increased risk of prediabetes, diabetes, and related complications.

Common Causes

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome results from excess secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone produced in the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that causes excess cortisol to be produced and released from the adrenal glands. Pituitary adenomas, or tumors of the pituitary gland, are the cause of Cushing’s syndrome in more than 70% of cases, while prolonged use of corticosteroid medication can also significantly increase the risk.

People with Cushing’s syndrome are at an increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia as a result of increased levels of cortisol throughout the body. Cortisol is a hormone that counteracts the effects of insulin by blocking the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream, thereby increasing insulin resistance and maintaining high blood sugar levels. Elevated cortisol levels also partially decrease the release of insulin from where it is produced in the pancreas.

Approximately 10% to 30% of people with Cushing’s syndrome will develop impaired glucose tolerance, while 40% to 45% will develop diabetes.

Corticosteroid medication is often prescribed to decrease inflammation throughout the body, but can lead to the development of Cushing’s syndrome and hyperglycemia because it activates specific enzymes that increase the conversion of non-carbohydrate molecules into glucose (gluconeogenesis). Corticosteroids also disrupt pancreatic cell function by inhibiting cell signaling pathways involved in the release of insulin from the pancreas.

Read other causes at https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-blood-sugar-rise-in-non-diabetics-5120349

Long-acting Signifor Has Similar Safety Profiles as Twice-daily Treatment in Cushing’s Patients, Trial Showed

A long-acting, once-a-month treatment of Signifor (pasireotide) normalized cortisol levels in 40% of patients with Cushing’s disease whose disease had recurred after surgery, or who were not candidates for surgery, according to new data from a Phase 3 trial.

The safety profiles of the once-monthly regimen proved to be similar to standard twice-daily Signifor treatments, researchers found.

The study, “Efficacy and safety of once-monthly pasireotide in Cushing’s disease: a 12 month clinical trial,” was published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Novartis‘ Signifor in its twice-daily injection formulation has already been approved for treating Cushing’s in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The 12-month, Phase 3 trial (NCT01374906) was conducted at 57 sites in 19 countries. The study included 150 patients with Cushing’s whose cortisol levels had risen or not dropped at all after surgery, or who were unable to undergo surgery.

Between Dec. 28, 2011, and Dec. 9, 2014, participants were randomized to receive either 10 mg or 30 mg of Signifor every four weeks, via an injection to the muscle. If, after four months of therapy, cortisol urinary levels (mUFC) were 50% greater than the upper normal limit, the dose could be increased from 10 mg to 30 mg, or from 30 mg to 40 mg. It could also be increased after seven, nine, or 12 months if the mUFC concentration was greater than normal.

The goal was to normalize average concentrations of free cortisol in the urine to less than or equal to the upper normal limit at month seven. It was met by 31 of the 74 patients in the 10 mg group (41.9%) and 31 of the 76 patients in the 30 mg group (40.8%).

The most common adverse events were hyperglycemia (high concentration of blood sugar), diarrhea, cholelithiasis (gall stones), diabetes, and nausea.

The researchers consider this treatment to be a good option for patients whose disease has returned after surgery, or who cannot undergo surgery. The long-lasting treatment schedule of one injection per month is more convenient for patients than the twice-daily subcutaneous injection, making it more likely that they would not discontinue treatment.

“Surgical resection of the causative pituitary adenoma is the first-line treatment of choice for most patients with Cushing’s disease, which leads to remission in greater than 75% of patients if done by an expert pituitary surgeon,” wrote Dr. Andre Lacroix, MD, a professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Montreal teaching hospital, and colleagues.

“However, surgery is not always successful, and disease recurrence can occur several years after initial remission, while some patients refuse or are not candidates for surgery. As a result, many patients require additional treatment options.”

“Long-acting pasireotide normalized mUFC concentration in about 40% of patients with Cushing’s disease at month 7 and had a similar safety profile to that of twice-daily subcutaneous pasireotide,” the team wrote in the study.

“Long-acting pasireotide is an efficacious treatment option for some patients with Cushing’s disease who have persistent or recurrent disease after initial surgery or are not surgical candidates, and provides a convenient monthly administration schedule,” researchers concluded.

From https://cushingsdiseasenews.com/2017/10/31/long-acting-signifor-for-cushings-disease-has-similar-efficacy-and-safety-as-twice-daily-treatment/