Recent progress in the treatment of Cushing's disease

Transsphenoidal surgery, possibly through the endoscopic approach, remains the first line treatment. Opposing cortisol action with mifepristone proved efficacious in some individual cases but but with major monitoring difficulties. Combined treatment with three anticortisolic drugs (metyrapone, ketokonazole, O,p'DDD) is particularly attractive in severe cases. The Nelson's syndrome has been revisited, and the corticotroph tumor progression should rather be cautiously assessed after bilateral adrenalectomy. Two molecules potentially act directly to suppress the ACTH secretion by the corticotroph adenoma: agonists of the D2 Dopamine receptor and of the somatostatin receptor type 5. Their efficacy remains modest (20 to 30% of the patients actually normalize urinary cortisol). Pituitary radiotherapy can be efficiently performed by stereotaxic approach. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.