EFFECT OF o,p′DDD IN A PATIENT WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME*

Abstract

A total of 546 Gm. of o,p′DDD was administered over a 16-week period to a patient with Cushing's syndrome apparently due to nontumorous hyperfunction. A rapid and significant decrease in adrenocortical function occurred in association with marked clinical improvement. Six weeks after discontinuance of the therapy the urinary excretion of neutral 17-ketosteroids increased and the drug was restarted; the urinary 17-KS level promptly returned to normal. Clinical and biochemical remission is being maintained with 2 Gm. of the drug daily, and there have been no significant toxic reactions. In view of this experience, o,p′DDD may prove to be a useful agent in the therapy of nontumorous Cushing's syndrome. It is still too early, however, to assess the long-term effects.