Clinical Research Directory

A Phase II Clinical Study on the Efficacy and Safety of HRS-1780 in Participants With Primary Aldosteronism

This study is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-parallel-controlled phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HRS-1780 compared with placebo in participants with primary aldosteronism. The study plans to enroll 60 participants.

Steroids-Based Screening for Primary Aldosteronism

This prospective, single-center observational study aims to evaluate whether a steroid-based screening method can more accurately identify Primary Aldosteronism (PA) in hypertensive patients who remain on their usual antihypertensive medications, compared with the conventional aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR). PA is a common, potentially curable subtype of secondary hypertension that carries increased cardiovascular risk when undiagnosed or untreated. However, current screening protocols recommend "medication washout" or switching to minimally interfering drugs, which may pose safety concerns and add complexity. In this study, approximately 406 participants (ages 18-75) with diagnosed hypertension and on at least one interfering antihypertensive drug (such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, diuretics, or calcium channel blockers) will be enrolled at the Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Each participant will undergo two rounds of blood sampling-first while continuing their usual antihypertensive regimen (the "on-medication" state) and second following a standardized washout/switch period (the "standard state"), if medically feasible. At both stages, levels of plasma aldosterone, renin, and a broad panel of adrenal steroid hormones will be measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. By comparing diagnostic performance (e.g., sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of the steroid-based screening versus the ARR, the study seeks to determine whether steroid profiling improves accuracy under real-world treatment conditions. Findings may help refine PA screening strategies, reduce the need for extensive medication adjustments, and contribute to better clinical management of hypertension.

REnin-guided TherApy With MinEralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Primary Aldosteronism - Feasibility Study

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be caused by a condition called Primary Aldosteronism (PA), where the body produces too much of a hormone called aldosterone. People with PA have a higher risk of heart problems compared to those with regular high blood pressure. To treat PA, some patients need to take medicine called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) for the rest of their lives. While treatment with MRA is effective, it can have side effects like high levels of potassium in the blood, breast enlargement in men, menstrual problems in women, and reduced sex drive. Finding the right dose of MRA for each patient can be tricky. Recent observations suggest that when a hormone called renin goes up during MRA treatment, it might be a good sign. This is because renin is higher when the action of aldosterone is well blocked. But it's not certain if this happens because of the patient's unique characteristics or if it can truly be a way to know if the treatment is working. This study aims to find out if guiding MRA treatment with renin levels leads to more patients having unsuppressed renin levels compared to the standard of care. This is a multicentric pragmatic clinical trial. Patients with a new diagnosis of PA and low renin levels will be asked if there are willing to participate. Those with recent use of MRA, known MRA intolerance, severe kidney problems, or have high potassium levels will not be able to participate. Participants will be randomized into two groups: one group will have their MRA treatment adjusted based on renin levels (the "renin-guided" group), and the other group won't have renin levels checked during treatment (the "renin-blinded" group). Both groups will aim to have their blood pressure under control and potassium levels in the normal range. The main outcome is the proportion in each group with unsuppressed renin levels after 12 months. Other outcomes will be tested, such as changes in renin levels, how well the treatment works, and any safety concerns (like potassium levels, kidney function, side effects, and blood pressure changes). Different groups of patients will also be looked at separately, like men and women, different ages, races, and initial renin levels, to see if the approach works better for some people. This study will help find a safe and effective way to treat PA with MRA. Choosing the right dose of MRA is important to adequately block aldosterone but also to avoid side effects.

Randomised Trial Comparing Thermal Ablation With Adrenalectomy in the Treatment of Unilateral Asymmetric PA

The primary objective of WAVE is to test the hypothesis that thermal ablation (microwave or RFA) is non-inferior to surgery in the biochemical (and if so, in the clinical) cure of unilateral PA, according to the international consensus PASO criteria. Secondary objectives are to determine whether either intervention is superior to the other in relation to the following outcomes. Where no superiority of either intervention is established, non-inferiority of thermal ablation against adrenalectomy will be sought. * Frequency and severity of adverse events * Length of inpatient stay * Patient satisfaction * Quality of life * Return to activities of daily living An additional secondary objective in the thermal ablation group alone will be anatomical efficacy of ablation.

68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT Versus Adrenal Vein Sampling in Diagnosing Unilateral Subtype of Primary Aldosteronism Concurrent With Autonomous Cortisol Secretion (PREDICT)

To validate the accuracy of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT and adrenal venous sampling (AVS) in subtype diagnosis of PA/ACS patients with adrenal nodules, based on biochemical and clinical remission outcomes, and to determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT is non-inferior to AVS.

Prognosis of Primary Aldosteronism: A Prospective Cohort Study

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, and patients with PA have a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular and renal complications compared with those with essential hypertension. However, PA remains substantially underdiagnosed and undertreated in clinical practice, and relevant research data on the short-term and long-term prognosis of PA patients in the Chinese population are particularly scarce. This is a multicenter, prospective cohort study designed to systematically collect real-world clinical data of PA patients, including baseline clinical characteristics, etiological subtypes, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and long-term follow-up outcomes. Through 5 years of standardized follow-up, this study will analyze the differences in treatment efficacy among PA patients with different pathological subtypes (e.g., adrenal adenoma, adrenal hyperplasia), evaluate the short-term therapeutic efficacy and long-term prognosis of PA patients undergoing different treatment modalities including pharmacotherapy, surgery and interventional therapy, and explore the risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes. Ultimately, it will provide high-quality real-world evidence-based data to optimize the clinical diagnosis and management of PA and improve the long-term prognosis of affected patients.

Genetic Predisposition to High Blood Pressure

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a known but underdiagnosed cause of high blood pressure. It is estimated that more than 10% of all people with high blood pressure (HT) suffer from PA, which is often caused by aldosterone-producing adrenal cortical tumors (APAs). In a pilot study with 35 patients with APAs leading to hypertension, the investigators have identified a genetic variant in a presumed Calcium-channel gene. The variant was significantly overrepresented in patients with APAs compared to the normal population (12% compared to approximately 4%). Interestingly, all patients having APAs and the variant were men. The SCAPIS study is a world-unique Swedish research study in the field of heart/lungs, in which 30,000 randomly selected people between the ages of 50-64 participated. The study is a collaboration between the universities of Gothenburg, Lund, Linköping, Uppsala and Umeå, as well as the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. In Linköping, about 5,000 persons participated. The investigators have now screened 4762 persons from the SCAPIS study for this variant and found it in little less than 6%. Overall, patients with the variant had more often been diagnosed with HT and were mote often treated for HT as well. Interestingly, this difference was only found in men. The investigators now want to investigate the following: 1. identify those persons with the genetic variant and HT that have PA, 2. identify those persons with PA that have APAs/unilateral disease, 3. identify how many patients with APAs/unilateral disease can be cured by surgery.

The Association Between Primary Aldosteronism and Cognitive Dysfunction

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the prevalence, progression, and influencing factors of cognitive impairment in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the prevalence of baseline cognitive impairment in PA patients and what factors are associated with it? 2. What is the incidence of cognitive progression in PA patients within 1 and 5 years of follow-up and what factors influence this progression? Participants who are already diagnosed with PA as part of their regular medical care will be invited to join this long-term study. They will complete regular cognitive tests, medical check-ups, and questionnaires for up to 5 years. Some participants will also have optional blood tests and brain scans to help researchers understand the causes behind any cognitive changes.

Sequential Combined Versus Single-Strategy Adrenal Venous Sampling for Primary Aldosteronism(SCOPE)

This study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the impact of three AVS diagnostic strategies on the clinical outcomes of patients with primary aldosteronism. The strategies include sequential combined AVS (non-ACTH-stimulated followed by ACTH-stimulated AVS), non- ACTH-stimulated AVS alone, and ACTH-stimulated AVS alone. The findings of this study will provide critical evidence for the clinical practice standards of AVS.

The Effect of SAAE on Vascular Endothelial Function in PA Patients

The study aims to assess the effect of superselective adrenal arterial embolization on vascular endothelial function in patients with primary aldosteronism based on brachial artery flow-mediated relaxation

Multi-omics Studies of Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed cause of secondary hypertension, contributing to significant cardiovascular morbidity and renal dysfunction. Despite affecting up to 20% of hypertensive patients, PA is frequently missed because it lacks distinctive clinical features and often presents with nonspecific symptoms like resistant hypertension or subtle electrolyte imbalances. The diagnostic pathway involves a stepwise approach: initial screening via the aldosterone-to-renin ratio, confirmatory testing (e.g., saline suppression or captopril challenge), and subtype differentiation using adrenal venous sampling to distinguish unilateral adenoma from bilateral hyperplasia. This complexity, combined with clinician unfamiliarity and variable access to specialized centers, perpetuates underdiagnosis. Early identification and tailored treatment are paramount in improving outcomes for patients with primary aldosteronism. In this study, we will conduct a comprehensive multi-omics analysis on three sample types: 1) blood and urine samples from patients with primary aldosteronism, primary hypertension, and healthy controls; and 2) adrenal tissue samples from patients undergoing adrenalectomy for aldosterone-producing adenomas. We aim to systematically identify differentially expressed biomarkers that could serve as potential early diagnostic markers for primary aldosteronism. The findings may provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and contribute to improving early detection and personalized treatment strategies for this condition.

11C-Metomidate PET/CT for Endocrine Hypertension and Characterisation of Adrenal Tumours

* 10% of patients with hypertension potentially have the treatable condition - primary aldosteronism (PA). This is caused by either bilateral adrenal disease (\~40%), managed with lifelong medications; or unilateral disease (\~60%), cured with laparoscopic surgery (adrenalectomy). Current diagnosis of PA includes a screening test with aldosterone-renin ratio, followed by a confirmatory salt loading test (in most patients) to demonstrate unsuppressed aldosterone levels. Of note, some patients with suppressed aldosterone after confirmatory tests (also termed low-renin hypertension) may also have unilateral adrenal tumors. * The difficulty with identifying curable unilateral disease is due to adrenal vein sampling (AVS): an invasive, and technically-difficult procedure. An alternative novel imaging, 11C-Metomidate Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), can detect adrenal tumors which are over-producing aldosterone. It is non-invasive, non-operator-dependent, and potentially may identify more patients with curable unilateral disease. The results from our pilot study in 25 patients with confirmed PA (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03990701, PA\_CURE) showed that 11C-Metomidate PET-CT exhibited comparable performance to AVS in subtyping PA, and this should be validated in a larger study. * In addition, 11C-Metomidate is also able to differentiate adrenocortical lesions in the adrenal gland from other lesions found in adrenal tissue, such as adrenomedullary lesions (e.g. pheochromocytoma). * Hence, the investigators hypothesize that 11C-metomidate PET-CT can accurately (1) identify patients with surgically curable unilateral adrenal disease among hypertensive Asians with primary aldosteronism (PA\_CURE 2 / PA\_MTO EH study) and (2) differentiate adrenocortical lesions from other lesions in patients with adrenal tumors (PA\_MTO AT study)

Overnight Dexamethasone in Primary Aldosteronism Screening

The goal of this observational study is to learn whether screening for primary aldosteronism can be improved among patients on chronic blood pressure-lowering medications by ordering intake of 1 mg of dexamethasone prior to hormonal examinations. Primary aldosteronism is a condition, in which an adrenal gland steroid aldosterone is released in excessive amounts; it commonly causes hypertension but requires specific therapy different from usually prescribed in other forms of hypertension. Dexamethasone is a synthetic steroid used for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. A single 1 mg dexamethasone dose taken at 11 p.m. in order to measure hormone concentrations the following morning (so called overnight 1-mg dexamethasone test) is a commonly applied test in the work-up of adrenal disorders. The main question the project aims to answer is: Can screening for primary aldosteronism be improved among patients receiving blood pressure-lowering medications with overnight 1-mg dexamethasone intake? Participants will undergo changes in their chronic medication to be able to definitely rule out or confirm primary aldosteronism in blood hormonal examinations. These modifications and modifications are not part of the research project. For this project participants will be asked to * undergo the 1-mg dexamethasone test one to three times in order to compare hormonal concentrations before and after it, * collect urine for 24 hours to determine aldosterone in the urine sample after medications interfering in aldosterone release are temporarily withdrawn.

Comparative Study of Perioperative Cardiac Injury in Patients With Functional Adrenal Tumors

The main goal of this study is to follow patients with functional adrenal tumors during the time before and after their surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What heart and blood pressure changes do patients with different types of adrenal tumors have before surgery? * What factors affect how the heart and blood pressure recover after surgery? * Do the heart and blood pressure conditions before surgery influence recovery and the risk of heart or brain problems after surgery? Patients will have heart ultrasound checks and health monitoring before and after surgery. The results will help doctors choose the right medicines before surgery, better understand possible risks during the operation, and make safer treatment plans for patients with functional adrenal tumors.

Efficacy of Spironolactone Combined With Antihypertensive Drugs in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the optimal dose of spironolactone treatment and the long-term outcomes on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with lateralized PA who are unwilling to undergo surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: 1. What is the long-term effect of spironolactone treatment for lateralized PA? 2. What is the optimal dose of spironolactone treatment for the relief of renin inhibition in patients with lateralized PA? Participants will receive spironolactone treatment as part of their regular medical care for more than 12 months, and their clinical indicators, including blood pressure, biochemical remission, cardiovascular and renal damage, and the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, will be analyzed.

Study on the Incidence of Adrenal Insufficiency After Surgery in Primary Aldosteronism Patients Concurrent With or Without Autonomous Cortisol Secretion

To evaluate the incidence of adrenal insufficiency after surgery in Primary aldosteronism (PA) patients concurrent with or without autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS).

PETAL Trial: Impact of Gallium-68 Pentixafor PET-CT on Surgical Outcomes in Primary Aldosteronism

This study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the clinical utility of gallium-68 pentixafor PET/CT in the management of primary aldosteronism (PA). We aim to evaluate whether the addition of 68Ga-pentixafor PET/CT to standard adrenal venous sampling (AVS) improves surgical outcomes in patients with unilateral PA.

Diagnosing Variable Primary Aldosteronism.

The goal of this observational study is to see if there is a cyclical or exaggerated diurnal variation in aldosterone production in people with Primary Aldosteronism.

Tissue Sodium Quantification in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism: See Sodium to Treat

The study aims to provide quantitative facts on the pathophysiological changes in tissue Na+ content during Na+/K+ redistribution disorders in patients with PA in response to standard therapy. The investigators hypothesize that patients with primary aldosteronism have excessive Na+ storage in the muscle, which can now be quantified non-invasively using 23NaMRI. In analogy to the role of HbA1c as a metabolic long-term marker in diabetes, the quantifiable changes in muscle Na+ content may deliver the data evidence necessary to justify and conduct randomized diagnostic endpoint outcome trials in the future, with the ultimate aim to improve PA detection rate and treatment.

Continuous Steroid Monitoring in Interstitial Fluid With Wearable and Nanoparticle-enhanced Biosensors for Improved Management of Adrenal Disorders

The goal of this project is to provide novel technology that will pave the way from the present single-point (analogue) endocrinology towards continuous cortisol and aldosterone monitoring with full time resolution. Current endocrine practice relies on occasional and often random determination of hormone level or functional tests that require a clinical setting. These measurements include sample extraction and analysis in a clinical laboratory rendering such tests laborious and expensive. Most importantly, through the individual variations of hormone oscillation and spatiotemporal distribution of hormones, infrequent hormone measurements have limited diagnostic and prognostic value as the dynamic changes are not captured and relevant intra-individual variability occurs. A requirement for this vision are sensing solutions capable to track hormone dynamics over prolonged periods at high patient comfort (e.g., at home), as targeted by this research proposal. This project has the overarching goals of (1) establishing dynamic interstitial aldosterone and cortisol monitoring as reliable diagnostic tool for cortisol and aldosterone excess or deficiency, and (2) develop a wearable molecular sensing device to detect them accurately.

The Effect of SAAE on Ventricular Remodeling in PA Patients

The study aims to assess the effect of superselective adrenal arterial embolization on ventricular remodeling in primary aldosteronism without lateralized aldosterone secretion by comparing it with spironolactone therapy.

Primary Aldosteronism: Superselective Embolization vs. Laparoscopic Endocrine Curative Therapy

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of adrenalectomy and superselective adrenal artery embolization in a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled study. To provide a new interventional alternative therapy for primary aldosteronism.

Application of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET/CT for Primary Aldosteronism

This prospective, single-center study investigates the biodistribution, dosimetry, safety, diagnostic performance of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging in patients with primary aldosteronism. And evaluates the potential of Al18F-NOTA-Pentixafor PET imaging in surgical strategy guidance.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of MR Activation in Primary Aldosteronism: Pilot Clinical Study

This research study aims to learn more about the impact the hormone aldosterone on the heart. Primary aldosteronism is a condition where the body's adrenal glands make too much of the hormone aldosterone, which can cause high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart and kidney disease. Treatment with medications that block aldosterone can reduce that risk. This study is trying to learn whether treatment with a medication that blocks aldosterone can improve heart function in people who make too much aldosterone.