Substantial changes in inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion

Objective: To map inflammatory biomarkers in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and overt Cushing syndrome (CS).

Method: Observational study including serum from prospectively included patients with ACS (n = 63), adrenal CS (n = 2), pituitary CS (n = 8), and healthy subjects (n = 120). Serum samples were analysed for 92 inflammatory biomarkers using proximity extension assay (OLINK).

Results: Combined, the ACS and CS patients displayed significant differences in levels of 49/92 inflammatory biomarkers (46 increased/3 decreased) compared with healthy controls. No differences in biomarker levels were found between ACS and overt CS, and none of the biomarkers correlated with the degree of hypercortisolism. Postoperative samples were available for 17 patients, median 24 months (range 6-40) after surgery and biochemical curation. There was no significant normalization of the biomarkers postoperatively.

Conclusion: There was a systemic rise in inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ACS and CS, not correlated to the degree of hypercortisolism. These biomarkers were not normalized following biochemical cure.