Long-acting pasireotide improves clinical signs and quality of life in Cushing’s disease: results from a phase III study

Purpose Cushing’s disease (CD) is associated with significant clinical burden, increased mortality risk, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This analysis explored the effect of long-acting pasireotide on clinical signs of hypercortisolism and HRQoL in a large subset of patients with CD. Methods In this phase III study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01374906), 150 adults with CD and a mean urinary free cortisol (mUFC) level between 1.5 and 5.0 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) started long-acting pasireotide 10 or 30 mg every 28 days with dose increases/decreases permitted based on mUFC levels/tolerability (minimum/maximum dose: 5/40 mg). Changes in clinical signs of hypercortisolism and HRQoL were assessed over 12 months of treatment and were stratified by degree of mUFC control for each patient. Results Patients with controlled mUFC at month 12 ( n = 45) had the greatest improvements from baseline in mean systolic (− 8.4 mmHg [95% CI − 13.9, − 2.9]) and diastolic blood pressure (− 6.0 mmHg [− 10.0, − 2.0]). Mean BMI, weight, and waist circumference improved irrespective of mUFC control. Significant improvements in CushingQoL total score of 5.9–8.3 points were found at month 12 compared with baseline, irrespective of mUFC control; changes were driven by improvements in physical problem score, with smaller improvements in psychosocial score. Conclusions Long-acting pasireotide provided significant improvements in clinical signs and HRQoL over 12 months of treatment, which, in some cases, occurred regardless of mUFC control. Long-acting pasireotide represents an effective treatment option and provides clinical benefit in patients with CD. Clinical trial registration number NCT01374906