---
title: "Corticorelin"
canonical_url: https://peptidelibrary.app/library/corticorelin
description: "Synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to help distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome."
updated: 2026-11-07
publisher: Peptide Library
notice: "Research and educational use only. Not medical advice."
---

# Corticorelin

Corticorelin is a research peptide in the CRH Receptor Agonist class. Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information.

Synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to help distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome.

## Classification

- Type: FDA-approved CRH diagnostic
- Mechanism class: CRH Receptor Agonist
- Development stage: Approved product
- Regulatory class: FDA-approved medicine

## Mechanism

Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information. The ovine sequence is cleared more slowly than the human peptide, producing a longer response.

## Properties

- Molecular formula: C208H344N60O63S2
- Molecular weight: 4,757 g/mol
- CAS number: 9015-71-8
- Studied routes: Intravenous

## Evidence

- Evidence level: FDA Approved
- Highest documented: Regulatory review (FDA label)
- Human trials: 0
- Controlled human trials: 0
- Preclinical sources: 0

Each step shows whether the sources Peptide Library has reviewed include that kind of research. Counts are reviewed sources, not every study ever published. Reviews and programme summaries that describe human use are shown as "reported", not as trials, and registered trials without published results are listed but not counted. A higher step means research has progressed further; it does not mean a compound works better or is safer. Compounds whose evidence has not been reviewed yet show "Not reviewed" instead of a guess.

### Studies

1. ACTHREL (corticorelin ovine triflutate for injection) — FDA prescribing information (Ferring), DailyMed. Regulatory label (FDA), human. Population: Patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. ACTH and cortisol response used to distinguish pituitary from ectopic ACTH production [Source](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3c39dcea-d8f7-8594-01e6-24e8d6fa4d2f)
2. Recht L et al. Steroid-sparing effect of corticorelin acetate in peritumoral cerebral edema is associated with improvement in steroid-induced myopathy. J Clin Oncol. 2013. 2013. Human study (early or uncontrolled). Population: Patients with malignant brain tumors on stable dexamethasone for peritumoral brain edema (n=200; 100 per arm). Responders 57.0% against 46.0% with placebo (P=.12); maximum dexamethasone reduction 62.7% against 51.4% (P<.001). Research on a related compound, not this one. Limitations: Studied an analog, not Corticorelin itself [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23382470/)

## Safety

Human safety basis: FDA prescribing information

## Regulatory status

Corticorelin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.

- FDA status: Approved
- Availability: Prescription-Only

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Corticorelin?

Synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to help distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH in ACTH-dependent Cushing syndrome.

### How does Corticorelin work?

Corticorelin binds CRH receptor type 1 on pituitary corticotrophs, stimulating ACTH and subsequently cortisol release. Pituitary adenomas typically retain CRH responsiveness while ectopic ACTH-secreting tumours usually do not, so the pattern of ACTH response after administration carries diagnostic information.

### Is Corticorelin FDA approved?

Yes. Corticorelin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.

### What peptides are similar to Corticorelin?

Compounds most often compared with Corticorelin include Angiotensin II, Cetrorelix, Cosyntropin and Degarelix. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.

## References

- [Steroid-sparing effect of corticorelin acetate in peritumoral cerebral edema is associated with improvement in steroid-induced myopathy — J Clin Oncol, 2013](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23382470/)
- [Corticorelin acetate injections for the treatment of peritumoral brain edema — Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 2009](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19678803/)
- [Corticorelin: ACTH RF, corticoliberin, corticotrophin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, human corticotropin-releasing hormone, ovine corticotrophin-releasing factor, Xerecept — Drugs R D, 2004](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15230628/)
- [A pharmacological tool to assess vasopressinergic co-activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis more integrally in healthy volunteers — J Psychopharmacol, 2011](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20147570/)
- [Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with nighttime-release prednisone — J Rheumatol, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20682671/)