Hydrocortisone Modified-release in Adults: Real-world Monitoring of Longitudinal Outcomes in coNgenital Adrenal hYperplasia (HARMONY)
Long-term Real-world Outcomes of Chronotherapy With Modified-release Hydrocortisone in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by a defect in the enzyme cascade regulating adrenal steroidogenesis; in approximately 95% of cases the defect is located in CYP21A2, the gene encoding 21-hydroxylase, and is characterized by defective adrenal steroidogenesis and cortisol deficiency. Due to the loss of physiological cortisol feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary corticotropic cells, ACTH secretion is increased. This results in the accumulation of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) proximal to the enzymatic defect in steroidogenesis, which in turn stimulates overproduction of the adrenal androgen precursor androstenedione and adrenal hyperplasia.
Treatment of CAH is tailored to the patient and disease severity, aiming to replace cortisol and aldosterone deficiencies while controlling androgen excess and avoiding glucocorticoid overtreatment. Immediate-release hydrocortisone administered multiple times daily remains the recommended first-line treatment in growing children, whereas adult patients are frequently treated with hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone or dexamethasone.
However, conventional glucocorticoid regimens cannot adequately reproduce the physiological circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion. In physiological conditions, ACTH-driven cortisol secretion follows a clear circadian rhythm characterized by low evening levels, nocturnal increase between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m., a morning peak upon awakening, and progressive decline during daytime.
Dual daytime dosing of immediate-release hydrocortisone in CAH can control ACTH-driven adrenal androgen secretion during the day; however, because of its rapid absorption into the bloodstream and short half-life, the evening dose of hydrocortisone cannot adequately suppress the nocturnal ACTH surge and ACTH-driven adrenal androgen overproduction.
Consequently, patients are often exposed to supraphysiological glucocorticoid doses during nighttime hours in an attempt to control morning hyperandrogenism. The disruption of physiological cortisol homeostasis contributes to poor cardiometabolic profile, obesity, insulin resistance, impaired fertility, reduced quality of life, and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in patients with CAH.
Bone health may also be impaired in patients with CAH because of chronic glucocorticoid exposure and androgen imbalance. Previous studies demonstrated reduced lumbar and femoral bone mineral density and increased fracture risk in both male and female patients.
Modified-release hydrocortisone (MR-HC; Efmody®) is a multiparticulate formulation developed to better reproduce physiological cortisol circadian rhythm through chronotherapy. Previous phase II and phase III studies demonstrated improved biochemical control, reduction in androgen excess, lower glucocorticoid exposure, improved fertility outcomes, and sustained long-term efficacy compared with conventional glucocorticoid regimens.
However, real-world longitudinal data regarding long-term biochemical, metabolic, cardiovascular, reproductive and skeletal outcomes remain limited, particularly in adult patients transitioning from pediatric to adult endocrine care.
The present study is a single-center, retrospective and prospective, longitudinal, open-label observational cohort study aimed at evaluating the long-term real-world outcomes of chronotherapy with modified-release hydrocortisone in adult patients with genetically confirmed 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH.
Retrospective clinical, biochemical and radiological data already available from routine clinical care will be collected from medical records, while prospective observational follow-up will continue according to routine endocrine clinical practice.
Studieoversigt
Status
Status
Betingelser
Betingelser
Detaljeret beskrivelse
The study is designed as an ongoing longitudinal observational cohort intended to evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes of MR-HC treatment in a real-world setting.
At the time of protocol drafting, retrospective and prospective data are available for approximately 32 patients, with follow-up extending up to 24-36 months in some cases. Additional eligible patients may be included prospectively during the observational phase of the study.
Follow-up assessments are planned at approximately 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment transition and yearly thereafter whenever available as part of routine clinical practice.
Interim analyses may be performed on available datasets before completion of long-term follow-up in order to evaluate clinically relevant outcomes emerging from real-world experience.
All procedures and laboratory assessments included in the study are part of routine clinical management of patients with CAH and do not imply additional costs for patients or for the institution.
Undersøgelsestype
Undersøgelsestype
Tilmelding (Anslået)
Tilmelding
Kontakter og lokationer
Studiekontakt
Studiekontakt
- Navn: Paola Loli, MD
- Telefonnummer: 8959 +39 02 2643
- E-mail: loli.paola@hsr.it
Undersøgelse Kontakt Backup
- Navn: Umberto Terenzi, MD
- Telefonnummer: 8959 +39 02 2643
- E-mail: trials.endocrinologia@hsr.it
Deltagelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Aldre berettiget til at studere
- Voksen
- Ældre voksen
Tager imod sunde frivillige
Prøveudtagningsmetode
Studiebefolkning
Beskrivelse
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥18 years;
- Genetically confirmed diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase deficiency congenital adrenal hyperplasia;
- Transition from conventional glucocorticoid therapy to modified-release hydrocortisone according to routine clinical practice;
- Stable glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid therapy before transition;
- Ability to understand study procedures and provide informed consent for prospective data collection whenever applicable
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age <18 years;
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding;
- Severe uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness;
- Use of glucocorticoids for indications other than CAH;
- Use of drugs interfering with glucocorticoid metabolism;
- History of bilateral adrenalectomy
Studieplan
Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?
Design detaljer
Antal grupper/kohorter
Kohorter og interventioner
Gruppe / kohorteGruppe / kohorte |
|---|
|
longitudinal observational cohort intended to evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes of MR-HC
retrospective and prospective data are available for approximately 32 patients, with follow-up extending up to 24-36 months in some cases. Additional eligible patients may be included prospectively during the observational phase of the study. Follow-up assessments are planned at approximately 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment transition and yearly thereafter whenever available as part of routine clinical practice. |
Hvad måler undersøgelsen?
Primære resultatmål
Primære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Change From Baseline in Morning Serum 17- Hydroxyprogesterone and Androstenedione Concentrations
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Morning serum 17-OH progesterone (17OHP) and D4-androstenedione levels under conventional therapy and during MR-HC treatment
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Sekundære resultatmål
Sekundære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Change From Baseline in Morning Serum 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) and Androstenedione Concentrations During Modified-Release Hydrocortisone Treatment
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Morning serum 17OHP and androstenedione concentrations measured during conventional glucocorticoid therapy and after transition to MR-HC.
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
|
Change From Baseline in Morning Plasma ACTH and Cortisol Concentrations and Midnight Salivary Cortisol Levels
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Morning plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations and midnight salivary cortisol levels.
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
|
Change From Baseline in Plasma Renin Activity and Serum Sodium and Potassium Concentrations
Tidsramme: Baseline and each follow-up visit
|
Plasma renin activity and serum sodium and potassium concentrations as indicators of mineralocorticoid control.
|
Baseline and each follow-up visit
|
|
Number of Adrenal Crises and Episodes Requiring Glucocorticoid Stress Dosing
Tidsramme: Throughout follow-up
|
Occurrence of adrenal crises and episodes requiring stress-dose glucocorticoid administration.
|
Throughout follow-up
|
|
Change From Baseline in Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Blood Pressure, and Clinical Hyperandrogenism Parameters
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Anthropometric and clinical measures including BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and signs of hyperandrogenism.
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
|
Change From Baseline in Glycemia, Hemoglobin A1c, Insulin Concentrations, HOMA-IR, and Lipid Profile Parameters
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Metabolic parameters including fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
|
Change From Baseline in Markers of Calcium-Phosphorus Metabolism and Bone Turnover
Tidsramme: Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
Serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urinary calcium/phosphorus excretion.
|
Baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter
|
|
Change From Baseline in Lumbar Spine and Femoral Bone Mineral Density Measured by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
Tidsramme: Baseline and according to routine clinical practice
|
Lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density assessed by DXA.
|
Baseline and according to routine clinical practice
|
|
Change From Baseline in Total Daily Glucocorticoid Dose
Tidsramme: Each follow-up visit
|
Total daily glucocorticoid dose expressed as hydrocortisone-equivalent dose.
|
Each follow-up visit
|
|
Change From Baseline in SF-36 and AddiQoL Questionnaire Scores
Tidsramme: Baseline and follow-up in prospectively enrolled patients
|
Health-related quality of life assessed using SF-36 and AddiQoL questionnaires.
|
Baseline and follow-up in prospectively enrolled patients
|
Andre resultatmål
Andre resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Change From Baseline in Bone Turnover Markers and DXA-Derived Bone Mineral Density During Long-Term Follow-Up
Tidsramme: Annual follow-up
|
Longitudinal assessment of skeletal outcomes including biochemical bone turnover markers and DXA-derived bone mineral density.
|
Annual follow-up
|
|
Longitudinal Changes in Integrated Biochemical and Clinical Outcomes Beyond 12 Months of Follow-Up
Tidsramme: Annual follow-up
|
Long-term biochemical, endocrine, metabolic, anthropometric, reproductive, and clinical outcomes during continued MR-HC treatment.
|
Annual follow-up
|
Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere
Sponsor
Sponsor
Efterforskere
Efterforskere
- Studieleder: Andrea Giustina, MD, IRCCS San Raffaele
Publikationer og nyttige links
Generelle publikationer
- Merke DP, Bornstein SR. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Lancet. 2005 Jun 18-24;365(9477):2125-36. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66736-0.
- Finkielstain GP, Kim MS, Sinaii N, Nishitani M, Van Ryzin C, Hill SC, Reynolds JC, Hanna RM, Merke DP. Clinical characteristics of a cohort of 244 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Dec;97(12):4429-38. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-2102. Epub 2012 Sep 18.
- Arlt W, Willis DS, Wild SH, Krone N, Doherty EJ, Hahner S, Han TS, Carroll PV, Conway GS, Rees DA, Stimson RH, Walker BR, Connell JM, Ross RJ; United Kingdom Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Adult Study Executive (CaHASE). Health status of adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a cohort study of 203 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Nov;95(11):5110-21. doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-0917. Epub 2010 Aug 18.
- Mallappa A, Sinaii N, Kumar P, Whitaker MJ, Daley LA, Digweed D, Eckland DJ, Van Ryzin C, Nieman LK, Arlt W, Ross RJ, Merke DP. A phase 2 study of Chronocort, a modified-release formulation of hydrocortisone, in the treatment of adults with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Mar;100(3):1137-45. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-3809. Epub 2014 Dec 11.
- Han TS, Walker BR, Arlt W, Ross RJ. Treatment and health outcomes in adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014 Feb;10(2):115-24. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.239. Epub 2013 Dec 17.
- Falhammar H, Frisen L, Norrby C, Hirschberg AL, Almqvist C, Nordenskjold A, Nordenstrom A. Increased mortality in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Dec;99(12):E2715-21. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-2957.
- Jenkins-Jones S, Parviainen L, Porter J, Withe M, Whitaker MJ, Holden SE, Morgan CL, Currie CJ, Ross RJM. Poor compliance and increased mortality, depression and healthcare costs in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Eur J Endocrinol. 2018 Apr;178(4):309-320. doi: 10.1530/EJE-17-0895. Epub 2018 Jan 25.
- Auchus RJ, Arlt W. Approach to the patient: the adult with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jul;98(7):2645-55. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-1440.
Datoer for undersøgelser
Studer store datoer
Studiestart (Anslået)
Studiestart
Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)
Primær færdiggørelse
Studieafslutning (Anslået)
Studieafslutning
Datoer for studieregistrering
Først indsendt
Først indsendt
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først opslået (Faktiske)
Først opslået
Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler
Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)
Sidste opdatering sendt
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidst verificeret
Sidst verificeret
Mere information
Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse
Yderligere relevante MeSH-vilkår
- Urogenitale sygdomme
- Sygdomme i det endokrine system
- Mandlige urogenitale sygdomme
- Urogenitale sygdomme hos kvinder
- Kvinders urogenitale sygdomme og graviditetskomplikationer
- Metabolisme, medfødte fejl
- Genetiske sygdomme, medfødte
- Metaboliske sygdomme
- Gonadale lidelser
- Medfødte abnormiteter
- Binyresygdomme
- Forstyrrelser i seksuel udvikling
- Urogenitale abnormiteter
- Steroid metabolisme, medfødte fejl
- Adrenogenital syndrom
- Medfødte, arvelige og neonatale sygdomme og abnormiteter
- Ernæringsmæssige og metaboliske sygdomme
- Adrenal hyperplasi, medfødt
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
- HARMONY-CET1-2026
Plan for individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)
Planlægger du at dele individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)?
IPD-planbeskrivelse
IPD-delingstidsramme
IPD-delingsadgangskriterier
IPD-deling Understøttende informationstype
- STUDY_PROTOCOL
- SAP
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