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Cushing's Syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder that affects approximately 10 to 15 people per million each year. It is characterized by the overproduction of cortisol, a hormone that helps the body respond to stress. In people with Cushing's Syndrome, the excess cortisol can cause a range of symptoms, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Treatment options for Cushing's Syndrome are limited, and many patients do not respond well to available therapies. However, there is hope on the horizon in the form of levoketoconazole, a new treatment currently under development by Strongbridge Biopharma.
What is Levoketoconazole?
Levoketoconazole is a modified version of ketoconazole, an antifungal medication that has been used off-label to treat Cushing's Syndrome for decades. Ketoconazole works by inhibiting the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands. However, ketoconazole has several drawbacks, including a high risk of liver toxicity and the potential to interact with other medications. Levoketoconazole is designed to overcome these issues by being more selective in its inhibition of cortisol production and having a lower risk of liver toxicity.
The Development of Levoketoconazole
Strongbridge Biopharma began developing levoketoconazole in 2019 after acquiring the rights to the drug from Novartis. The company has conducted several clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of levoketoconazole in people with Cushing's Syndrome.
In a phase 2 trial, levoketoconazole was shown to be effective in reducing cortisol levels in patients with Cushing's Syndrome. The trial enrolled 94 patients with endogenous Cushing's Syndrome, meaning their excess cortisol was caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland or adrenal gland. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either levoketoconazole or a placebo for 12 weeks. The results showed that the patients who received levoketoconazole had a statistically significant reduction in their cortisol levels compared to those who received the placebo.
Building on the success of the phase 2 trial, Strongbridge Biopharma is now conducting a phase 3 trial to further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of levoketoconazole. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients with endogenous Cushing's Syndrome from sites around the world.
How Levoketoconazole Works
Levoketoconazole works by inhibiting the production of cortisol in the adrenal glands. Cortisol is produced in response to stress, and it helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, and respond to inflammation. However, in people with Cushing's Syndrome, the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol, leading to a range of symptoms.
Levoketoconazole is a selective inhibitor of cortisol synthesis, meaning it targets the enzymes involved in the production of cortisol while leaving other hormones unaffected. This selectivity is thought to reduce the risk of side effects associated with other cortisol inhibitors like ketoconazole. Additionally, levoketoconazole has a lower risk of liver toxicity compared to ketoconazole, which can cause severe liver damage in some patients.
Clinical Trials of Levoketoconazole
The phase 2 trial of levoketoconazole showed promising results in reducing cortisol levels in patients with Cushing's Syndrome. The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 94 patients with endogenous Cushing's Syndrome. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either levoketoconazole or a placebo for 12 weeks.
The results showed that the patients who received levoketoconazole had a statistically significant reduction in their cortisol levels compared to those who received the placebo. Specifically, 30% of the patients who received levoketoconazole had a complete response, meaning their cortisol levels returned to normal. Another 40% had a partial response, meaning their cortisol levels decreased by at least 50%.
Building on the success of the phase 2 trial, Strongbridge Biopharma is now conducting a phase 3 trial of levoketoconazole. The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that is expected to enroll approximately 200 patients with endogenous Cushing's Syndrome from sites around the world. The primary endpoint of the trial is the proportion of patients who achieve a normalization of their urinary free cortisol levels.
Potential Benefits of Levoketoconazole
Levoketoconazole has several potential benefits over other treatments for Cushing's Syndrome. First, its selectivity for cortisol synthesis may reduce the risk of side effects associated with other cortisol inhibitors like ketoconazole. Additionally, its lower risk of liver toxicity may make it a safer option for some patients.
Another potential benefit of levoketoconazole is its ability to reduce cortisol levels quickly and effectively. In the phase 2 trial, many patients saw a significant reduction in their cortisol levels within the first few weeks of treatment. This rapid response may translate to faster relief of symptoms for patients.
Potential Side Effects of Levoketoconazole
Like all medications, levoketoconazole has the potential to cause side effects. In the phase 2 trial, the most common side effects of levoketoconazole were nausea, headache, and fatigue. However, these side effects were generally mild to moderate in severity and resolved on their own without the need for treatment.
Levoketoconazole has also been associated with an increased risk of QT prolongation, a condition that can cause an irregular heartbeat. However, the risk of QT prolongation appears to be low, and Strongbridge Biopharma is monitoring the issue closely in its clinical trials.
Conclusion
Levoketoconazole is a promising new treatment for Cushing's Syndrome that has shown positive results in clinical trials. Its selectivity for cortisol synthesis may reduce the risk of side effects associated with other cortisol inhibitors, while its lower risk of liver toxicity may make it a safer option for some patients. As Strongbridge Biopharma continues to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of levoketoconazole in its phase 3 trial, there is hope that this new treatment will provide relief for people with Cushing's Syndrome.
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