News Articles March 2023

Case Study Links Mifepristone in Cushing’s Patient to Liver Damage

A study published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports looks at the experience of a woman with Cushing’s who was treated with Korylm (mifepristone) and who developed liver damage.   Read more here:   

Or here:

Portable MRI Scanners Proliferate

An article in the magazine “Science” looks at a new generation of portable low-field MRI scanners that make imaging more accessible throughout the world.  Read more:

New Classification Scheme for Ovulatory Disorders

An article in “Focus on Reproduction” explains that the international Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) has come up with a new way to classify ovulatory disorders – adding PCOS as a category, alongside hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary.  Read more:

Factors Behind Obesity

An article on Endocrine Web goes over the primary contributors to obesity, which has become a national health threat. Read more:

Cortisol and Energy Levels

An article in Fashion Journal.au explains the role the hormone cortisol plays in people’s energy levels and recommends people concerned about it see a doctor, reduce stress, eat well and get more sleep. Read more:

The Science Behind Stress

An article in epigram.org looks at the biology of stress and the hormones involved. Read more:

Xeris Biopharma Announces FDA Grants Orphan-drug Exclusivity for Recorlev®

January 30, 2023


CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 30, 2023– Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: XERS), a growth-oriented biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patient lives by developing and commercializing innovative products across a range of therapies, today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted its subsidiary Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., orphan-drug exclusivity (ODE) for Recorlev® (levoketoconazole) for the treatment of adult patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome for whom surgery is not an option or has not been curative.


As the first approval of levoketoconazole (Recorlev) for Cushing’s syndrome, Xeris is entitled to seven years of orphan-drug market exclusivity from its FDA approval date of December 30, 2021. The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation program is designed to advance the development of drugs that treat a condition affecting 200,000 or fewer U.S. patients annually. This regulatory exclusivity is in addition to the patent exclusivity under Xeris’ U.S. patents covering Recorlev and its therapeutic use, which extends to at least March 2040.


“Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease that can be physically and emotionally devastating to the patient. Most patients endure years of symptoms prior to obtaining a diagnosis and are then faced with limited effective treatment options,” said Paul R. Edick, Xeris’ Chairman and CEO. “We are excited to receive this important orphan-drug exclusivity approval for Recorlev on a new therapeutic option that can address symptoms while treating the root cause of the disease for this underserved Cushing’s patient community.” 


Mr. Edick continued, “Recorlev is an important and welcome therapeutic option for clinicians to help manage patients with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome, a severe, potentially life-threatening rare disease. The approval of Recorlev was based upon data from two positive Phase 3 studies that evaluated a combined study population of 166 patients and was shown to be effective for reducing and normalizing cortisol.”


In order to serve and support this community, Xeris is committed to ensuring everyone who needs access to their therapies will receive it. Xeris hascreated Xeris CareConnection™ to provide a comprehensive program for patients and their caregivers throughout the treatment journey, includingfinancial assistance, one-on-one support, and educational resources. Xeris CareConnection also supports healthcare professionals and their teams through education on access and reimbursement. For more information visit our website (www.recorlev.com) or contact Xeris CareConnection (available Monday–Friday from 8 a.m–7 p.m ET) at 1-844-444-RCLV (7258).Xeris Biopharma Announces FDA Grants Orphan-drug Exclusivity for Recorlev®

News Articles February 2023

Bones of 18th Century Acromegalic Taken Off Museum Display

Photo courtesy of the Queen Mary University of London.

The bones of an 18th century acromegalic Irish man named Charles Byrne were on display as a medical curiosity for 140 years before being taken off display, in accordance with his last wishes. Byrne was almost 8 feet tall when he died in 1783 and had requested a burial at sea, however a friend sold his body to a surgeon named John Hunter. It eventually ended up on display at the Hunterian Museum, which is affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Read more:

 

 

Transsphenoidal Pituitary Neurosurgery: A Moment by Moment Account

Dr. Mazda Turel, a neurosurgeon in Mumbai, India, tells the story of a transsphenoidal surgery he performed. He explains each step in a drama with perilous twists and turns. Read more:

Cushing’s Case Report: Severe Infection and Electrolyte Imbalance

An article in Cushing’s Disease News looks at the case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with a severe muscle infection and an imbalance of electrolytes. She was diagnosed with Cushing’s but passed away from infectious complications from a surgery before she could be treated for Cushing’s. Read more:

11-year-old Patient Battles Tumor Pressing on Pituitary

An article in Spring Advertiser.co tells the story of an 11-year-old girl who is battling optic nerve hypoplasia – and has a schwannoma pressing on her pituitary. Read more:

News Articles January 2023

Doctor Notices Symptoms of Acromegaly in Patient’s Wife

A story in the Times of India explains how a neurologist, treating a patient for back pain, noticed some changes in the patient’s wife’s face. The wife had accompanied her husband to his appointment, and the doctor noticed that her nose and lips appeared larger, and her teeth more spaced out. He asked if her shoe size had gotten bigger, and when she answered in the affirmative he sent her for tests, which revealed that she had harbored a tumor for two years. he Mayo Clinic has produced a podcast with frequently asked questions on pituitary tumors. Check it out here

Tips on Getting Through Your First Brain MRI

A column in Cushing’s Disease News goes through what to expect during a brain MRI, and how to calm your nerves. Read more:

Does the Pituitary Help People Wake Up Just Before the Alarm?

A story on NPR looks at whether people can train themselves to wake up just before the alarm and the role the pituitary might play. It cites one study from the 90s that did find that when people were expecting to wake up at a certain time, their pituitary released ACTH about an hour before the wake time, which stimulates the adrenals to release cortisol, which helps wake people up.. Read more:

Florida 10-year-old Battles Cancer on Pituitary Gland

A story on CBS Miami follows a 10-year-old girl in Homestead, Florida who is fighting mixed germ cell cancer that is taking over her pituitary gland. Her little brother shaved his head in solidarity.  Read more: 

Acromegalic, Known as World’s Tallest Man, Turns 40

Acromegalic Sultan Kosen, who is known as the world’s tallest man at 8’3”, has turned 40 . He traveled from Turkey to Orlando to visit an exhibit about Robert Wadlow, who was 8’11” when he passed away at age 22 in 1940. Modern medical advances have helped many acromegalics lead long lives.  Read More:

Pituitary Journey: Soccer Star Lionel Messi

An article on News9Live.com explains that international soccer star Lionel Messi suffered from pituitary dwarfism as a child and received growth hormone injections that allowed him to pursue his athletic dreams. Read more: 

 

News Articles December 2022

Pituitary Q & A

The Mayo Clinic has produced a podcast with frequently asked questions on pituitary tumors. Check it out here

Optometrist Spots Signs of Pituitary Tumor; Patient Gets Emergency Surgery

Nonmedical professionals like jewelers, shoe salespersons and optometrists can make a big impact in a patient’s life – by spotting signs of pituitary disease. An article in Insight News tells the story of an extra vigilant optometrist who spotted a red flag, and may have saved a woman’s life. Read more:

Case Study: Keto Diet Alleviates Symptoms of Cushing’s But Delays Diagnosis

An article in Cushing’s Disease News looks at a case study about a man who lost weight on a low carb ketogenic diet, which lessened his symptoms of what turned out to be Cushing’s Disease, but in doing so may have delayed his diagnosis. Read more:

TV Actor Recounts Battle With Pituitary Dwarfism

Actor Max Casella, who has co-starred in shows like “Doogie Howser, MD”,“The Sopranos”, “Boardwalk Empire” and “Tulsa King” talks about growing up with pituitary dwarfism in an article on PageSix.com. He underwent hormone therapy in his twenties to finally jumpstart puberty. Read more:

Can ‘Mini Pituitary Tumors’ Help Improve Treatments?

The website chof360.com looks at A study in the journal Cells looks at efforts by researchers to develop organoids, or organelles – basically cell structures grown in a lab using cells from pituitary surgeries. The study says these mini pituitary tumors mimic the structure of an adenoma, and thus may be useful in developing targeted therapies for Cushing’s patients. Read more: 

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If you are a nurse or medical professional, register for PNA CEU Membership and earn CEU credits to learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for patients with pituitary disorders. Help PNA reduce the time it takes for patients to get an accurate diagnosis.

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Available Now!

The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide Sixth Edition is now available! Be one of the first to have the most up-to-date information. The Pituitary Patient Resource Guide a one of a kind publication intended as an invaluable source of information not only for patients but also their families, physicians, and all health care providers. It contains information on symptoms, proper testing, how to get a diagnosis, and the treatment options that are available. It also includes Pituitary Network Association’s patient resource listings for expert medical care.

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