Corcept reports MOMENTUM trial data at ACC 2026, showing 27.3% prevalence of hypercortisolism in resistant hypertension, supporting broader screening.
Written By: Chikkula Pavan Kumar, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Corcept Therapeutics Inc. has reported late-breaking findings from its MOMENTUM trial, revealing a high prevalence of endogenous hypercortisolism in patients with resistant hypertension. The data were presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session 2026, highlighting a potential underrecognized driver of difficult-to-treat cardiovascular disease.
In the MOMENTUM study (NCT06829537), 1,086 patients with resistant hypertension were screened using a standardized 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test. Results showed that 27.3% of patients (297 individuals) had hypercortisolism, suggesting that excess cortisol activity may play a significant role in a substantial subset of these patients.
The findings align with results from Corcept’s earlier CATALYST trial, which identified hypercortisolism in 23.8% of patients with difficult-to-control type 2 diabetes. Among patients with both elevated HbA1c (≥7.5%) and use of three or more antihypertensive medications, prevalence rates were even higher 32.6% in MOMENTUM and 36.6% in CATALYST indicating a strong overlap between metabolic dysfunction and cortisol dysregulation.
Deepak L. Bhatt emphasized the clinical relevance of the findings, noting that resistant hypertension is associated with increased risks of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney damage. He stated that identifying hypercortisolism in these patients could enable more personalized and effective treatment strategies.
Corcept’s Chief Development Officer, Bill Guyer, added that the results reinforce growing evidence that hypercortisolism is more common than previously recognized in patients whose hypertension and diabetes remain uncontrolled despite standard therapies. He highlighted the importance of improved screening and diagnostic approaches to optimize patient outcomes.
MOMENTUM is the largest U.S.-based study to evaluate hypercortisolism prevalence in resistant hypertension, conducted across 50 clinical sites. Patients met the American Heart Association criteria for resistant hypertension, defined as blood pressure ≥130 mmHg despite treatment with at least three antihypertensive drugs (including a diuretic) or the use of four or more medications.
Hypercortisolism, also known as Cushing’s syndrome, is associated with a wide range of systemic complications, including hypertension, central obesity, hyperglycemia, fatigue, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. If left untreated, the condition can affect multiple organ systems and significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality.
These findings support the need for broader screening strategies in patients with resistant hypertension and poorly controlled diabetes, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis and more targeted therapeutic interventions.
Reference
Corcept Presents Data from MOMENTUM Trial at American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session, 28 March 2026, Corcept Presents Data from MOMENTUM Trial at American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session – Corcept Therapeutics, Incorporated
Study of the Prevalence of Endogenous Hypercortisolism in Patients With Resistant Hypertension (MOMENTUM) (MOMENTUM), ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06829537, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06829537
About the Writer
Chikkula Pavan Kumar, PharmD is a Doctor of Pharmacy with a keen interest in clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, and evidence-based practice. In his words, he is passionate about patient safety and translating complex medical information into clear, research-driven communication.