Corticotropin

drug
On this page

Also known as ActhActharActhar gelActhar gel (autoinjector)AdrenocorticotrophinAdrenocorticotropic hormoneAdrenocorticotropinAdrenomoneCorticotrophinCorticotropin (acth)Corticotropin in gelatin matrixrepositoryCorticotropinaCorticotropineCortigelCortrophinH.p. acthar gelPurified cortrophin gelRepository corticotropin

Summary

Corticotropin (CHEMBL1201610) is an approved unknown (ATC H01AA01) targeting MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R; indicated across 23 conditions including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

At a glance

  • Status: Approved (max clinical phase 4)
  • Modality: Unknown
  • ATC class: H01AA01
  • Targets: 4 (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R…)
  • Indications: 23 conditions
  • Clinical trials: 77

Identifiers

Drug identity and classification

FieldValue
ChEMBL IDCHEMBL1201610
NameCorticotropin
TypeUnknown
Max phase4
ATCH01AA01

Also known as: Acth, Acthar, Acthar gel, Acthar gel (autoinjector), Adrenocorticotrophin, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Adrenocorticotropin, Adrenomone, Corticotrophin, Corticotropin, Corticotropin (acth), Corticotropin in gelatin matrix

Targets

Targets

Primary targets (GtoPdb curated mechanism): the Cancer dependency column is the DepMap CRISPR fitness signal (% of screened cell lines dependent on the target).

GeneTargetActionpAffinityCancer dependencyUniProt
MC1RMC1 receptorAgonist8.61%Q01726
MC3RMC3 receptorAgonist7.060.1%P41968
MC4RMC4 receptorAgonist6.160%P32245
MC5RMC5 receptorAgonist50%P33032

Bioactivity

No ChEMBL bioactivity rows at pChembl ≥ 5 (expected for biologics / antibodies).

Target pathways

Aggregated over 4 target gene(s): MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R.

Top Reactome pathways

10 total, by targets touching each:

PathwayTargetsGenes
Developmental Biology4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
Signal Transduction4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
Signaling by GPCR4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
Class A/1 (Rhodopsin-like receptors)4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
Peptide ligand-binding receptors4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
GPCR downstream signalling4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
G alpha (s) signalling events4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
GPCR ligand binding4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
MITF-M-regulated melanocyte development4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
Transcriptional and post-translational regulation of MITF-M expression and activity4MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R

Dominant GO biological processes

GO termTargets
adenylate cyclase-activating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway4
signal transduction4
G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway4
G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway, coupled to cyclic nucleotide second messenger3
regulation of feeding behavior3
phospholipase C-activating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway2
adenylate cyclase-modulating G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway2
UV protection1
sensory perception of pain1
negative regulation of tumor necrosis factor production1
intracellular signal transduction1
melanin biosynthetic process1
pigmentation1
positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II1
positive regulation of melanin biosynthetic process1

Indications & clinical

Indications

1 approved indication. FDA phase 4, plus an anticancer drug’s labelled cancer uses (which ChEMBL often logs at phase 3).

IndicationPhaseMONDOEFO
multiple sclerosis4MONDO:0005301MONDO:0005301

18 diseases in clinical trials (phase 1–3, investigational — not approved indications). Highest ChEMBL trial phase per disease; a non-cancer approved use is occasionally logged at phase 3 here.

Disease (in trials)PhaseMONDOEFO
rheumatoid arthritis3MONDO:0008383EFO:0000685
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis3MONDO:0005314EFO:0003929
nephrotic syndrome3MONDO:0005377EFO:0004255
kidney disorder3MONDO:0005240EFO:0003086
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis3MONDO:0100313EFO:0004236
diabetic kidney disease2MONDO:0005016EFO:0000401
uveitis2MONDO:0020283EFO:1001231
dermatomyositis2MONDO:0016367EFO:0000398
epilepsy2MONDO:0005027EFO:0000474
primary progressive multiple sclerosis2MONDO:0000451EFO:0008520
secondary progressive multiple sclerosis2MONDO:0000450EFO:0008522
scleritis2MONDO:0001718MONDO:0001718
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis2MONDO:0004976MONDO:0004976
migraine disorder2MONDO:0005277MONDO:0005277
sarcoidosis2MONDO:0019338MONDO:0019338
chronic kidney disease1MONDO:0005300EFO:0003884
membranous glomerulonephritis1MONDO:0005376EFO:0004254
glomerulonephritis1MONDO:0002462MONDO:0002462

1 further indication record had no mapped disease name (EFO/MeSH-only) or were duplicates, and are omitted.

Clinical trials

Total trials: 77.

Phase distribution

PhaseTrials
PHASE438
Not specified18
PHASE2/PHASE35
PHASE35
PHASE25
PHASE13
EARLY_PHASE13

Top trials by phase / activity

NCTPhaseStatusTitle
NCT06964269PHASE4RECRUITINGUse of Acthar Gel Single-Dose Pre-Filled SelfJectTM Injector in Patients With Moderate-Severe Keratitis and Autoimmune Disease
NCT00854750PHASE4TERMINATEDModeling and Treating the Pathophysiology of Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis
NCT01021540PHASE4COMPLETEDProspective Study Evaluating the Effect of Repository Corticotropin in the Treatment of Various Nephrotic Syndromes
NCT01028287PHASE4COMPLETEDAdrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Treatment of Nephrotic Range Proteinuria in Diabetic Nephropathy (NRDN)
NCT01129284PHASE4COMPLETEDTreatment of Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome With ACTH Gel (ACTHAR)
NCT01155141PHASE4COMPLETEDIdiopathic Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Treatment With ACTH
NCT01753401PHASE4COMPLETEDActhar for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Patients With a History of Persistently Active Disease
NCT01769937PHASE4COMPLETEDOpen-label Trial of Acthar Gel in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
NCT01926054PHASE4WITHDRAWNACTHAR GEL in Patients With Membranous (Class V) Lupus Nephritis
NCT01948388PHASE4COMPLETEDThe Effect of Corticotrophin (ACTH) in Combination With Methotrexate in Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
NCT02057523PHASE4TERMINATEDActhar as Rescue Therapy for Transplant Glomerulopathy in Kidney Transplant Recipients
NCT02092883PHASE4COMPLETEDEvaluation of Neuroinflammation in Children With Infantile Spasms
NCT02188017PHASE4UNKNOWNActhar Gel for Chronic Pulmonary Sarcoidosis (ACPS)
NCT02226341PHASE4TERMINATEDACTHar in the Treatment of Lupus Nephritis
NCT02245841PHASE4COMPLETEDEfficacy and Safety of H.P. Acthar Gel for the Treatment of Refractory Cutaneous Manifestations of Dermatomyositis
NCT02298491PHASE4COMPLETEDTreatment of CNS Sarcoidosis With H.P. Acthar Gel
NCT02382523PHASE4WITHDRAWNActhar on Proteinuria in IgA Nephropathy Patients
NCT02399462PHASE4WITHDRAWNActhar for Treatment of Post-transplant FSGS
NCT02523092PHASE4TERMINATEDUse of CXCL9 as a Biomarker of Acthar Efficacy
NCT02541955PHASE4COMPLETEDUse of Acthar in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Related Flares
NCT02546492PHASE4TERMINATEDTreatment of Chronic Antibody-mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant With Acthar
NCT02633046PHASE4COMPLETEDActhar for Treatment-Resistant or Treatment-Intolerant Proteinuria
NCT02769702PHASE4TERMINATEDOpen Label Study of Acthar SQ Gel Injection in Patients With Active Anterior Uveitis
NCT02919761PHASE4COMPLETEDSafety and Effectiveness of Acthar Gel in Participants With Rheumatoid Arthritis
NCT02953821PHASE4COMPLETEDActhar Gel for Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
NCT03021317PHASE4TERMINATEDEffects of ACTHAR on Advanced MRI Surrogate Markers of Disease Activity and on Comprehensive Immune Signature During MS Relapses
NCT03025828PHASE4COMPLETEDAdrenocorticotropic Hormone in Membranous Nephropathy
NCT03066869PHASE4UNKNOWNEfficacy and Safety of H.P. ACTHAR GEL in Adults With Retinal Vasculitis
NCT03082573PHASE4UNKNOWNEfficacy, Radiographic and Laboratory Changes in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated With H.P. Acthar Gel
NCT03126760PHASE4TERMINATEDActhar Gel for Multiple Sclerosis That Keeps Getting Better and Worse (RRMS)
NCT03287635PHASE4COMPLETEDClinical Efficacy of H.P. Acthar Gel 80 U/ml to Improve the Signs and Symptoms in Subjects With Dry Eye Disease
NCT03320070PHASE4COMPLETEDActhar Gel in Participants With Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
NCT03408405PHASE4WITHDRAWNACTHAR Gel for Drug REsistant Nephrotic Syndrome in Children
NCT03419650PHASE4COMPLETEDClinical Impact of Acthar in the Psoriatic Arthritis Patient (CLIPS)
NCT03656692PHASE4TERMINATEDSafety and Effectiveness of Acthar Gel for Inflammation of the Eye’s Uvea (Middle Layer)
NCT04080076PHASE4WITHDRAWNComparative and Efficacy Study of ACTHar Gel Alone or in Combination With Tacrolimus in Fibrillary Glomerulopathy
NCT04169061PHASE4COMPLETEDImpact of Acthar on Everyday Life of Participants With Severe Keratitis
NCT05546047PHASE4UNKNOWNA Study of Acthar Gel Alone or With Tacrolimus to Reduce Proteinuria in Fibrillary Glomerulopathy Patients
NCT05279118PHASE2/PHASE3ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGKetogenic Diet vs ACTH for the Treatment of Children With West Syndrome
NCT06201897PHASE2/PHASE3RECRUITINGCortical Excitability in West Syndrome Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
NCT00947895PHASE2/PHASE3TERMINATEDEfficacy Study of Adrenocorticotropin Hormone to Treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Relapses After Sub-responding to an Initial 3 Day Course of Intravenous (IV) Methylprednisolone
NCT01062568PHASE3COMPLETEDThe Adrenal Contribution to Androgen Production in Girls During Puberty
NCT02132195PHASE3COMPLETEDAdrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) for Frequently Relapsing and Steroid Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome
NCT02290444PHASE3COMPLETEDEffects of Acthar on Recovery From Cognitive Relapses in MS
NCT02315872PHASE3COMPLETEDACTH for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
NCT02348905PHASE2/PHASE3UNKNOWNACTHAR Gel for Cutaneous Sarcoidosis: An Open Label Trial
NCT02683889PHASE3COMPLETEDUse of Acthar in Patients With FSGS That Will be Undergoing Renal Transplantation
NCT03068754PHASE2/PHASE3TERMINATEDStudy of Acthar® Gel (Acthar) for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
NCT07005154PHASE2RECRUITINGA Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Effects of ASP5541 in Participants With Prostate Cancer
NCT00004758PHASE2COMPLETEDPhase II Randomized Study of Early Surgery Vs Multiple Sequential Antiepileptic Drug Therapy for Infantile Spasms Refractory to Standard Treatment
NCT01813591PHASE2COMPLETEDA Two-Arm Study Evaluation H.P. Acthar Injection Gel in Treatment of Chronic Migraines
NCT01950234PHASE2TERMINATEDACTH in Progressive Forms of MS
NCT01984268PHASE2TERMINATEDACTHAR for Acute Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Inadequate Response to Methotrexate
NCT00805753PHASE1COMPLETEDDose-Finding Pilot Study of ACTH in Patients With Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
NCT01049451PHASE1COMPLETEDPulse ACTH vs. MP for MS
NCT02486744PHASE1TERMINATEDSafety and Efficacy of Acthar Gel in an Outpatient Dialysis Population
NCT01987167EARLY_PHASE1COMPLETEDDefining the Functional and Neuro-Protective Potential of ACTHAR in Acute Optic Neuritis
NCT03727776EARLY_PHASE1COMPLETEDAdrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) for Post-op Inflammation in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR)
NCT03905603EARLY_PHASE1UNKNOWNRelative Contributions of Predictors of Hyperandrogenism in Older vs. Young Women With PCOS
NCT00005890Not specifiedCOMPLETEDDiagnostic Study of Adrenal Cortical Function in Children With Septic Shock
NCT00950781Not specifiedCOMPLETEDCortisol Levels on Menopausal Symptoms - Ancillary (Addendum) Study to Protocol 16997
NCT00989781Not specifiedCOMPLETEDMechanisms of Increased Androgen Production Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
NCT01367964Not specifiedUNKNOWNPrevention of West Syndrome With Low-dose Adrenocorticotropin Hormone (ACTH)
NCT01637064Not specifiedUNKNOWNDermatomyositis and Polymyositis Registry
NCT01900093Not specifiedUNKNOWNEvaluation of the Response to Acthar Gel Therapy in Patients Who Failed Intravenous Methylprednisolone (IVMP) for MS Relapses
NCT01906684Not specifiedUNKNOWNComprehensive Analysis of Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis
NCT02006849Not specifiedWITHDRAWNACTH Treatment of APOL1- Associated Nephropathy
NCT02030028Not specifiedCOMPLETEDACTH Gel Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis
NCT02258217Not specifiedCOMPLETEDTolerability of Acthar for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis in Relapses (TAMS)
NCT02434757Not specifiedUNKNOWNAddition of H.P. Acthar Gel to Treatment Regimen of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
NCT02972346Not specifiedUNKNOWNAvailability Study of ACTH to Treat Children SRNS/SDNS
NCT03042637Not specifiedSUSPENDEDSafety and Efficacy of Combination Acthar Gel and Tacrolimus in the Treatment of Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
NCT03473964Not specifiedUNKNOWN(ACTH) for the Treatment of Sarcoid Uveitis
NCT03644771Not specifiedUNKNOWNExperience With H.P. Acthar Gel Treatment of Patients With Nephrotic Syndrome/Proteinuria Due to Various Etiologies and Its Effect on Podocyte Function
NCT04306653Not specifiedUNKNOWNACTH vs Betamethasone in Hospitalized Patients With Acute Gout
NCT04461535Not specifiedCOMPLETEDCorticotropin Stimulation in Adrenal Venous Sampling for Patients With Primary Aldosteronism(ADOPA)
NCT04808856Not specifiedUNKNOWNTreatment of Refractory Gout With ACTH or Methylprednisolone

Clinical evidence (CIViC)

No CIViC predictive evidence (expected for non-precision-medicine drugs).

Pharmacology

Pharmacogenomics

No PharmGKB pharmacogenomic data curated for this drug.

Molecules sharing ≥1 of this drug’s curated primary targets, merged from two biobtree sources and ranked by shared-target count, then clinical phase: ChEMBL clinical-stage candidates (development phase ≥2) and PubChem drug-class bioactivity (approved / known drugs acting on the target). Deduplicated by drug name; the drug’s own salt forms are excluded. Note: for a drug with few primary targets a shared-target match can reflect off-target / promiscuous binding rather than the same therapeutic mechanism — the phase ordering surfaces bona-fide therapeutics first.

174 molecules share ≥1 primary target. Top 100 by shared-target count:

MoleculeSourceStatusShared targets
AFAMELANOTIDEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
SETMELANOTIDEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
BREMELANOTIDEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
INTERMEDINEChEMBLPhase 2MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
AMIODARONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
ASTEMIZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
CHLORPROMAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
COLISTINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
FLUPHENAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
MICONAZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
SERTRALINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
TAMOXIFENChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
CLOZAPINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
CRIZOTINIBChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
DESLORATADINEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
IvacaftorChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
LinagliptinChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
PIMOZIDEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
PYRAZINAMIDEChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
TEGASERODChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
AMITRIPTYLINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
AMLODIPINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
ANTAZOLINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
BEPRIDILChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
BOSUTINIBChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
CARVEDILOLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
CHLORHEXIDINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
CLEMASTINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
CLOMIPRAMINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
DULOXETINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
ECONAZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC5R
FENOTEROLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
FLUSPIRILENEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
GRAMICIDINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC4R, MC5R
HALOPERIDOLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
IMIPRAMINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
LIDOCAINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
MEFLOQUINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
MITOXANTRONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
MODAFINILChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
NAFARELINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
PROCHLORPERAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
PROMETHAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
RIFAXIMINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
RIMONABANTChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
ROSIGLITAZONEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
TERFENADINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
THIORIDAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
TRIFLUOPERAZINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R, MC4R
PL-8177ChEMBLPhase 2MC1R, MC4R
AbirateronePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
Aclidinium BromidePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AcyclovirPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AllopurinolPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AlogliptinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AmiloridePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AnagrelidePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AprepitantPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AtazanavirPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
Betamethasone ValeratePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
BosentanPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
ClofarabinePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
DacarbazinePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
Desoxycorticosterone PivalatePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
DidanosinePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
DihydroergotaminePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
DocetaxelPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
ErythromycinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
EthambutolPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
FidaxomicinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
GlycopyrrolatePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
MethotrexatePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
MoxifloxacinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
NaproxenPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
OlanzapinePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
Olmesartan MedoxomilPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
PramipexolePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
PropoxyphenePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
rifampinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
SildenafilPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
SpectinomycinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
SulindacPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
TadalafilPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
TamsulosinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
Tiotropium Bromide MonohydratePubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
ValacyclovirPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
ValganciclovirPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
VancomycinPubChemApprovedMC3R, MC4R
AFATINIBChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
CINACALCETChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
DACOMITINIBChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
GEFITINIBChEMBL + PubChemPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
BAZEDOXIFENEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
CAFFEINEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
CANNABIDIOLChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
CHLORPROTHIXENEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R
CISPLATINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC5R
CLOTRIMAZOLEChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC4R
COSYNTROPINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC4R
DAUNORUBICINChEMBLPhase 4 (approved)MC3R