Abiraterone-Induced Secondary Hypertension: Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right

Abiraterone, an inhibitor of both 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase, is considered a novel, state-of-the-art, life-prolonging therapy in the urologists' arsenal when treating prostate cancer. Despite its efficacy, it is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse effects. Herein, we report a case in which the administration of abiraterone resulted in a full-blown syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess despite the concomitant administration of prednisolone; that is, secondary hypertension, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, as well as elevated levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).