Pasireotide Alone or with Cabergoline and Ketoconazole in Cushing's Disease

Abstract

To the Editor: Cushing's disease, which is caused by an adrenocorticotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.1 Currently, there is no effective medical therapy for Cushing's disease. However, recent studies identified the somatostatin-receptor subtype 5 and dopamine-receptor subtype 2 as potential therapeutic targets in Cushing's disease.2 Pasireotide is a new somatostatin analogue that binds with high affinity to somatostatin-receptor subtypes 1, 2, and 3, and it especially has high-affinity binding to somatostatin-receptor subtype 5.3 In a recent 15-day pilot study, pasireotide normalized the excretion of urinary free cortisol in 17% of patients with Cushing's disease.4 Cabergoline, a . . .