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The Potential Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Cushing's Disease

Coelho AI, Vale C, Leite AR, Borges-Canha M, Neves JS, Leite-Moreira A

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026

1 citation

Abstract

Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare endocrine disorder caused by the overproduction of adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) from a pituitary tumour, leading to excessive secretion of cortisol. The chronic exposure to cortisol leads to endocrine and cardiovascular complications that persist even after remission of hypercortisolism. CD is associated with a significant clinical burden characterised by insulin resistance, renal dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. In addition, patients frequently experience impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and have an increased risk of mortality. There are currently no approved therapies targeting these complications. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are antihyperglycaemic agents that target SGLT2 transporters in the renal proximal convoluted tubules, thus leading to glycosuria and reduction of glycaemia. Initially approved as anti-diabetic agents, SGLT2i have subsequently revealed to exert a wide range of beneficial effects, namely cardiorenal protection; therefore having been recently approved as a first-line treatment for chronic kidney disease and heart failure, regardless of the presence of diabetes. While the clinical and metabolic efficacy of SGLT2i has been extensively documented in type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease, their systemic effects may also be relevant in patients with CD, who exhibit cardiovascular, renal and metabolic alterations even after biochemical remission. The…

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