2023

Doctor Therina Du Toit, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland

“Mapping the hepatic metabolism of adrenal C11-oxy androgens in the developing CAH fetus and thereafter; the ‘Hep-Oxy-Map’ Study“, 100 000 € for 2 years

Steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland are vital in human fetal development and are metabolized by enzymes at critical stages during development, which includes the metabolism of adrenal androgens. These androgens are also important after birth. Importantly, excess adrenal androgens cause detrimental development effect in children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). The Hep-Oxy-Map study will conduct an in-depth investigation into the manner in which adrenal androgens are metabolized, to understand their true impact on the developing CAH fetus before birth and the CAH neonate after birth. This study will focus on the metabolism of adrenal androgens in the liver and the placenta and an unknown biological route of androgenic will be characterized, advancing our current knowledge on the link between androgens and CAH.

MD Lea Isabel, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich

Prof. Dr. med. Nicole Reisch, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU Munich

“Comparison of glucose metabolism in patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia under different steroid regimens and after switching to modified-release hydrocortisone (Efmody) compared to healthy control subjects“, 41 500 € for 18 months

Increased risk for metabolic disorders in patients with CAH is hypothesized to be at least partially caused by unphysiological GC substitution. MR-HC (Efmody®) better imitates the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion. However, MR-HC might be associated with higher blood glucose levels in patients with CAH. The aim of this study is to assess glucose metabolism in patients with CAH under different GC regimes, before and after switching to MR-HC, compared to healthy control subjects by using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). If differences with regard to GC preparations, dosage, time of intake can be identified, recommendations and adjustments to medication could be made based on the patient’s individual conditions.