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Megestrol-induced Cushing's syndrome
K A Steer1, A B Kurtz, J W Honour
1Bloomsbury Department of Chemical Pathology, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK.
Clinical Endocrinology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
This case study details the first instance of Cushing's syndrome developing in a patient treated with megestrol acetate (Megace). This highlights a potential, though unexpected, adverse effect of synthetic progestogens.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-induced Cushing's syndrome is a recognized clinical entity.
- Synthetic progestogens are widely used in various medical applications.
Observation:
- A patient developed Cushing's syndrome while undergoing treatment with megestrol acetate (Megace).
- Megestrol acetate is a synthetic progestogen with reported, albeit weak, glucocorticoid activity.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case linking megestrol acetate treatment to the development of Cushing's syndrome.
- Structural analysis suggests limited interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor, contrasting with the observed clinical outcome.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for megestrol acetate to induce Cushing's syndrome, even if rare.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the precise mechanism of this adverse effect.