corticotropin

Corticotropin, also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), is a 39-amino acid polypeptide hormone naturally produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It serves as a critical component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Therapeutically, corticotropin is used to stimulate the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone. Its primary mechanism involves binding to the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) in the adrenal gland, but it also interacts with other melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R) found on immune cells and other tissues, which may contribute to its direct anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. It is primarily indicated for the treatment of infantile spasms (West syndrome), acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and various rheumatic, dermatologic, and allergic disorders.

Brand names

ActharH.P. Acthar GelCortrophinCortrophin-ZincPurified Cortrophin Gel

Other names

Adrenocorticotropic hormoneAdrenocorticotropinSeractide