Dr. Masaaki Yamamoto, M.D., Ph.D., is a Research Scientist in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University. He earned his M.D. from Hyogo Medical University (2004) and completed residency and early endocrine training at Tokyo Women’s Medical University, followed by a Ph.D. in Endocrinology from Kobe University (2012). He trained and worked at Cedars-Sinai as a Postdoctoral and then Project Scientist (2014–2019) before serving as Assistant Professor and ward chief at Kobe University (2019–2024). In 2025, he returned to Cedars-Sinai as a faculty member, continuing his research in pituitary disorders. Dr. Yamamoto holds board certifications from the Japan Endocrine Society and the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and is a member of the Endocrine Society and Pituitary Society. His research achievements have been recognized through multiple honors at both national and international levels. Internationally, he received the Poster Prize from the GRS-IGF International Congress, the International Travel Fellowship Award from the ICE, and the Outstanding Abstract Award from the ENDO. In Japan, he was honored with the Young Investigator Award from the Japan Neuroendocrine Society, as well as the Young Investigator Award and the Research Encouragement Award from the Japan Endocrine Society, reflecting his sustained contributions to the advancement of endocrinology.
21 MARCH
22 MARCH
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11:00
12:30
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Cushing’s Disease and Cushing’s Syndrome
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Cheng-Chia LeeTaiwan
Speaker
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Cushing DiseaseCushing disease, caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)–secreting pituitary adenomas, remains a therapeutic challenge due to tumor invasiveness, difficulty in achieving complete resection, and the risk of recurrence following surgery. While transsphenoidal surgery is considered first-line treatment, a substantial proportion of patients experience persistent or recurrent hypercortisolism, necessitating adjuvant therapies. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as an effective and minimally invasive treatment modality for residual or recurrent Cushing disease, offering precise, high-dose radiation delivery to the target lesion while sparing surrounding critical structures. Clinical evidence demonstrates that SRS achieves long-term biochemical remission in a significant proportion of patients, with reported cortisol normalization rates increasing over time after treatment. Tumor control rates are consistently high, exceeding 90% in most series. Although the therapeutic effect of SRS is delayed compared to surgery, it provides durable disease control with an acceptable safety profile. Hypopituitarism remains the most common adverse effect, whereas cranial neuropathy and optic pathway injury are rare when strict dose constraints are observed. Advances in imaging, target delineation, and dose planning have further enhanced the efficacy and safety of SRS. Overall, stereotactic radiosurgery represents a critical component of multimodal management for Cushing disease, particularly in patients with surgically refractory disease, recurrent tumors, or contraindications to repeat surgery. Long-term endocrine follow-up remains essential to monitor treatment response and late radiation-related effects.
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Masaaki YamamotoUnited States
Speaker
Beyond Cushing’s Syndrome: The Future of Research in Cortisol DysregulationThe hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is one of the most essential systems for maintaining physiological homeostasis and plays a central role in the stress response. Autonomous or excessive cortisol secretion leads to Cushing’s syndrome, whereas insufficient cortisol secretion results in adrenal insufficiency. Despite their clinical importance, globally unified diagnostic criteria for disorders of cortisol excess or deficiency are still lacking, and definitive diagnosis often requires invasive procedures and a high level of clinical expertise.
From a therapeutic standpoint, precisely replicating physiological cortisol secretion remains a major challenge. Chronotherapy—an approach that incorporates diurnal cortisol rhythmicity into treatment—has gained increasing attention in recent years. However, physiological cortisol secretion fluctuates dynamically under the influence of numerous factors, making it inherently difficult to delineate the boundary between “normal” and “pathological” states. Moreover, commonly used cortisol assays have several pitfalls, underscoring the need for biomarkers that more accurately reflect glucocorticoid action in vivo.
Recent advances also include the development of non-invasive wearable devices capable of real-time monitoring of cortisol secretion. In this lecture, I will present emerging concepts, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic innovations related to disorders of cortisol dysregulation, and discuss future directions in this evolving field.
201DE
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