Rejigging CRH system for therapeutic applications
Past failures of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 targeting drugs in psychiatric disorders likely reflected shortcomings in trial design, patient selection, and biomarker strategies.
The recent approval of a corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 antagonist for congenital adrenal hyperplasia provides the first clinical proof that this drug class can effective, offering a roadmap for future applications.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2 agonists have entered early clinical development for heart failure and obesity, supported by evidence that they promote fluid clearance while suppressing maladaptive hormonal pathways.
Given the often opposing actions of corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2, dual receptor targeting approaches may offer new opportunities across therapeutic areas.
Advances in receptor biology and signalling now provide the tools needed to realize this potential.
https://www.cell.com/trends/endocrinology-metabolism/fulltext/S1043-2760(26)00206-7
