Research shows prevalence of hypercortisolism in difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes
Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated, a commercial-stage company engaged in the discovery and development of medications to treat severe endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic and neurologic disorders by modulating the effects of the hormone cortisol, recently announced the publication of findings from the prevalence phase of the CATALYST trial in Diabetes Care.
CATALYST was the largest and most rigorous trial ever conducted to assess the prevalence of hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome) in patients with difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes. Part one of the study screened 1,057 patients at 36 sites across the United States. All patients had hemoglobin A1c greater than 7.5%, despite receiving multiple glucose-lowering therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Using a simple, standardized 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST), 24% of these patients were found to have hypercortisolism. These findings were first presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in June 2024.
"Many patients have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes despite the use of the best available medications," said lead author John Buse, MD, Ph.D., director of the University of North Carolina's Diabetes Center. "It is critical for clinicians to consider and address all factors that can contribute to inadequate glucose control. CATALYST's results show that, for many patients, hypercortisolism is one of those factors."
Part two of CATALYST—a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Korlym in patients with hypercortisolism and difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes—met its primary endpoint of reduction in hemoglobin A1c.
Topline results were announced in December 2024, and complete results will be presented at the American Diabetes Association's 85th Scientific Sessions on June 23, 2025, at a symposium titled: "Treatment of Hypercortisolism in People with Difficult-to-Control Type 2 Diabetes—Final Results of the CATALYST Trial."
More information:
Prevalence of Hypercortisolism in Difficult-to-Control Type 2 Diabetes, Diabetes Care. doi.org/10.2337/dc24-2841
Provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine