Low Dose Of Dexamethasone Research Articles

A phase II prospective study of standardized steroid dosing for patients with brain metastases undergoing whole brain radiotherapy

2050 Background: This study is aimed to prospectively investigate whether lower doses of Dexamethasone (DXM) control neurological symptoms with less side-effects in patients with brain metastases undergoing whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Methods: This phase II study had a planned sample size of 50 pts. Pts diagnosed with brain metastases that were on DXM for less than 2 weeks prior to seeing a oncologist and consented to WBRT were eligible. Those with neurological symptoms related to brain metastases were given DXM 8mg qAM, asymptomatic pts received 4mg qAM. First assessment: day 3, then WBRT (20 Gy/5fr). Reassessment: last day of RT, and 2, 4, 8 weeks (w) post RT for symptomatic (1, 3, 8 w for asymptomatic) patients. Neurological symptoms and steroid related side- effects, as reported by patients, were documented. DXM was tapered at the end of WBRT using a pre-established protocol: over 3 w for symptomatic (2 w for asymptomatic) cohort. Primary study outcome was the percentage of pts with significant deviation from the protocol (those who needed higher doses of steroids or to be restarted after tapering). Results: 49 pts were accrued, 40 fully evaluable. 62% of pts deviated from protocol, 95% CI: 46%-77% (56% of asymptomatic, 73% of symptomatic pts); thus, the primary study endpoint was met, and the tapering schedule was deemed inappropriate for clinical use. 24/25 deviations involved an increase in dose or reintroduction of DXM after tapering. Most deviation (15) occurred during or after tapering; 4 were needed for subsequent chemotherapy. Presence of cerebellar metastases was the only statistically significant predictor of pts requiring steroid modification (p value 0.0063). Predominant steroid side-effects graded by patients as little, moderately or very disturbing were increased appetite (73%), peripheral myopathy (58%), insomnia (55%), irritability (50%). Conclusions: Although lower doses of steroids may control neurological symptoms prior to WBRT, the majority of pts required an increase in steroid dose and/or were not able to be tapered according to a pre-determined schedule. Given the side-effects of prolonged steroid use, further attempts at managing and likely individualizing steroid dosing and taper are needed. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Does Single, Low-Dose Preoperative Dexamethasone Improve Outcomes after Colorectal Surgery Based on an Enhanced Recovery Protocol? Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial

Preoperative single, high-dose methylprednisolone administration improves postoperative outcomes after colonic surgery. Several randomized studies, including major surgeries, assessed various high-dose steroid regimens; however, evidence about the effect of administration of lower doses on postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery is not available. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the administration of a single, low dose of dexamethasone before surgery would confer an outcome advantage after colorectal surgery. Thirty patients undergoing colorectal surgery were included in this randomized, double-blind study. Patients received 8 mg dexamethasone or serum physiologic preoperatively. Levels of Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, pain scores, postoperative nausea and vomiting, mobilization, complications, hospital stay, and readmissions were compared. Age, sex, indications, and operations were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 levels increased significantly postoperatively in each group (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between groups when compared (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences between pain scores, bowel functions, mobilization, hospital stay, complication rates, and readmission rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). Preoperative 8 mg dexamethasone administration has no significant effect on reducing postoperative inflammatory response and also does not improve outcomes of colorectal surgery.

Bone Remodeling in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Who Receive Lenalidomide-Based Regimens.

Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone is very effective for the management of refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). However, there is very little information for the effect of lenalidomide on bone metabolism in MM. We evaluated bone remodeling in 36 patients (22M/14F; median age 64 years) with refractory/relapsed MM who received lenalidomide-based regimens: 27 received the combination of lenalidomide at the standard dose of 25mg/day x 21 days, every 28 days, with either high (n=18) or low (n=9) dose dexamethasone, while 9 patients received the combination of lenalidomide/low dose dexamethasone plus bortezomib (BDR) at a dose of 1 mg/m2, iv, on days 1, 4, 8, 11 every 28 days. The following serum indices of bone turnover were measured on day 1 of cycle 1, and then on day 28 of cycle 3:i.osteoblast inhibitor dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1);ii.osteoclast regulators: soluble RANKL (sRANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG);iii.bone resorption markers: C-telopeptide of collagen type-I (CTX) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type-5b (TRACP-5b); andiv.bone formation markers: bone-specific ALP (bALP) and osteocalcin (OC).We also studied 20 healthy controls of similar gender and age. The median number of previous therapies was 3 (range: 2–7). At baseline, 9 patients had no lytic lesions (group A), while 3 patients had 1–3 lytic lesions (group B) and 24 patients had more than 3 lytic lesions and/or a pathological fracture (group C) in plain radiography of the skeleton. After 3 cycles of therapy the objective response (CR+PR) rate was 77% (21/27) in lenalidomide/dexamethasone patients and 55% (5/9) in BDR patients. MM patients at baseline had increased levels of Dkk-1 (p=0.002), sRANKL (p=0.04), and both markers of bone resorption (p<0.01) compared to controls. In contrast, bone formation as assessed by serum bALP and OC was significantly reduced (p<0.01). Patients with advanced bone disease (group C) had increased levels of CTX (p<0.001), TRACP-5b (p<0.01), Dkk-1 (p=0.04) and reduced levels of OC (p=0.04) compared with all others. Moreover, serum levels of DKK-1 correlated with TRACP-5b (r=0.614, p<0.0001), CTX (r=0.29, p=0.03), sRANKL (r=0.423, p=0.001) and OPG (r=0.572, p<0.0001). The administration of lenalidomide-based regimens produced only a reduction of Dkk-1 (p=0.04) and TRACP-5b (p=0.03) after 3 cycles of therapy. Interestingly, patients who received BDR showed a dramatic reduction of sRANKL (p=0.02), sRANKL/OPG ratio (p=0.03) and Dkk-1 (p=0.02), which associated with an increase in both markers of bone formation (p=0.04). The % reduction of sRANKL and TRACP-5b and the % increase of bALP and OC was higher in BDR patients compared with others. There was no correlation between response to therapy and bone markers' changes. In conclusion, the combination of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone seems not to have a clear effect on bone metabolism after 3 cycles of therapy, possibly due to administration of high dose dexamethasone in the majority of patients. BDR patients had a beneficial effect mainly on bone formation, reflecting the bone anabolic effect of bortezomib and/or the lower dose of dexamethasone given in these patients. Longer follow-up is needed to exact final conclusions for the effect of lenalidomide on bone metabolism in relapsed/refractory MM.

Screening and diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome (CS) results from sustained pathologic hypercortisolism. The clinical features are variable and the most specific features for CS include abnormal fat distribution, particularly in the supraclavicular and temporal fossae, proximal muscle weakness, wide purple striae, and decreased linear growth with continued weight gain in a child. Clinical presentation of CS can be florid and in this case the diagnosis is usually straightforward. However, the diagnosis can be difficult particularly in states of mild or cyclical or periodical hypercortisolism. Several tests based on the understanding of the physiologic characteristics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have been used extensively to confirm the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome, but none has proven fully capable of distinguishing all cases of CS from normal and/or pseudo-Cushing individuals. Three first-line diagnostic tests are currently used to screen for CS: measurement of free cortisol in 24-hour urine (UFC), cortisol suppressibility by low doses of dexamethasone (DST), and assessment of cortisol circadian rhythm using late-night serum and/or salivary cortisol. This paper discusses the effectiveness regarding best cut-off values, the sensitivity and the specificity of these tests to screen for CS. Late-night salivary cortisol appears to be the most useful screening test. UFC and DST should be performed to provide further confirmation of the diagnosis.

Metastatic insulinoma in an adult patient with underlying nesidioblastosis

To report a case of metastatic insulinoma presenting 11 yr after enucleation of an isolated insulinoma, and 5 yr after distal pancreatectomy for nesidioblastosis. We present the clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological findings in a 34 yr-old-man with recurrent hypoglycemia. The pertinent literature is reviewed. A 34- yr-old man presented in 1992 with symptoms of recurrent hypoglycemia. Laboratory and imaging findings were consistent with insulinoma. After enucleation of the tumor, his symptoms resolved. In 1998 hypoglycemia recurred and biochemical work-up was consistent with endogenous hyperinsulinism. Imaging for recurrent or metastatic insulinoma revealed no mass. He underwent a distal pancreatectomy and pathology revealed islet cell hyperplasia, or nesidioblastosis. However, the patient reported minimal symptomatic improvement. He was started on diazoxide but was poorly compliant and ate frequently to avoid hypoglycemic symptoms. In 2003 he presented with hypoglycemia-induced seizure activity. Imaging showed hepatic and pulmonary lesions, but no pancreatic mass. An octreotide scan revealed increased hepatic uptake and fine needle aspiration of a liver lesion confirmed metastatic insulinoma. Arterial-stimulation venous sampling revealed increased insulin output from the liver and normal insulin output from the pancreas. After failure of medical therapy, radiofrequency ablation of hepatic lesions was performed with subsequent improvement in clinical symptoms. The patient was discharged on a low dose of dexamethasone. Although this patient had nesidioblastosis, his recurrent hyperinsulinism was most likely secondary to metastatic insulinoma. Radiofrequency ablation was successfully used for palliative purposes in managing metastatic insulinoma refractory to medical therapy.

There Is No Dose-Escalation Response to Dexamethasone (0.0625–1.0 mg/kg) in Pediatric Tonsillectomy or Adenotonsillectomy Patients for Preventing Vomiting, Reducing Pain, Shortening Time to First Liquid Intake, or the Incidence of Voice Change

Tonsillectomy is associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) if no prophylaxis is administered. Previous studies have shown that a single dose of dexamethasone decreases the incidence of PONV. The most effective dose of dexamethasone to affect clinical outcome is yet to be defined. One-hundred-twenty-five children were enrolled in a double-blind, prospective, randomized, dose-escalating study of dexamethasone: 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg, maximum dose 24 mg. Nonparametric ANOVA was used to analyze the incidence of vomiting by treatment group for 0 to < or =5 h, >5 to 24 h. The Cox Proportional Likelihood Ratio Test was used to compare the time of first vomit and time to first pain medication across treatment groups. There was no difference in the incidence of vomiting for the five escalating doses of dexamethasone in the time period. There were no differences in secondary outcomes (analgesic requirements, time to first liquid, and change in voice) across treatment groups. We conclude that the lowest dose of dexamethasone (0.0625 mg/kg) was as effective as the highest dose of dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg) for preventing PONV or reducing the incidence of other secondary outcomes following tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. There is no justification for the use of high-dose dexamethasone for the prevention of PONV in this cohort of children.

Glucocorticoid feedback control of corticotropin in the hypoxic neonatal rat

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of manipulating glucocorticoid negative feedback on acute ACTH and corticosterone responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) injection in 7-day-old rats exposed to normoxia or hypoxia from birth. Chemical adrenalectomy was achieved with aminoglutethimide, and glucocorticoids were replaced with a low dose of dexamethasone. Hypoxia per se increased basal plasma corticosterone and attenuated the plasma ACTH response to CRH. Aminoglutethimide per se decreased plasma corticosterone and strongly increased basal plasma ACTH and anterior pituitary POMC gene expression. Dexamethasone partially attenuated elevations in basal plasma ACTH due to aminoglutethimide in both normoxic and hypoxic pups, but inhibited anterior pituitary POMC expression and CRH-induced plasma ACTH only in hypoxic pups. Despite this inhibition, hypoxic pups treated with both dexamethasone and aminoglutethimide still exhibited a significant CRH-induced increment in plasma ACTH, which was lacking in hypoxic pups not treated with either dexamethasone or aminoglutethimide. We conclude that ACTH responses to acute stimuli in hypoxic neonatal rats are prevented by ACTH-independent increases in corticosterone, rather than by intrinsic hypothalamic-pituitary hypoactivity.

Theophylline does not potentiate the effects of a low dose of dexamethasone in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

Theophylline has been shown to have corticosteroid-sparing effects for the treatment of human asthma. A similar effect, if present in horses, would allow diminishing the dose of corticosteroids administered to equine patients with inflammatory airway diseases. To evaluate whether theophylline potentiates the effects of a low dose of dexamethasone when treating horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Theophylline has steroid-sparing effects in horses with RAO. Ten mature mixed breed horses in clinical exacerbation of RAO were studied. Using an incomplete crossover design and 3 experimental periods of 7 days duration, horses were distributed randomly in 5 treatment groups; and administered dexamethasone s.i.d., at either 0.05 mg/kg bwt i.v. or per os, or 0.02 mg/kg bwt alone or combined with theophylline at 5 mg/kg bwt per os b.i.d. A fifth group was treated with theophylline alone at the above dosage. Lung function was evaluated prior to drug administration and then 3 and 7 days later. Oral administration of dexamethasone alone or combined with theophylline failed to improve lung function significantly in RAO affected horses. Theophylline alone also failed to improve lung function in all treated horses. Conversely, dexamethasone administration at 0.05 mg/kg bwt i.v. resulted in a significant improvement in lung function starting on Day 3. Oral theophylline for 7 days did not improve the effects of a low dose of dexamethasone for the treatment of horses with RAO.

Cushing’s disease

Cushing's disease, i.e., pituitary ACTH-secreting adenoma causing excess glucocorticoid secretion, is a rare disease with significant mortality and morbidity. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can alter the course of the disease and are therefore mandatory. First step of the diagnostic work-up is the endogenous glucocorticoid excess by measurement of urinary free cortisol, cortisol circadian rhythmicity or suppression by low doses of dexamethasone. In patients with equivocal results, second line tests, such as the dexamethasone-suppressed CRH test and desmopressin stimulation, usually enable the diagnosis to be confirmed. Measurement of plasma ACTH then allows the distinction between ACTH-dependent (e.g., pituitary or extrapituitary neuroendocrine tumors) and ACTH-independent causes (e.g., adrenal tumors). The last step in the diagnostic algorithm is often the most fraught with problems as the distinction between Cushing's disease and ectopic ACTH secretion relies on judicious interpretation of several diagnostic procedures. Positive responses to stimulation with CRH and inhibition by high doses of dexamethasone, if concurrent, enable a pituitary origin to be established whereas conflicting results call for inferior petrosal sinus sampling, the latter to be performed in experienced centres only. Visualisation of the tumor at pituitary imaging is helpful but not required for the diagnosis, as microadenomas often remain undectected by MRI and/or CT scan and, on the other hand, visualisation of a non-secreting incidentaloma may be misleading. Surgical removal of the pituitary tumor is the optimal treatment choice and should be attempted in every patient. Surgical failures as well as relapses can be treated by radiotherapy, medical therapy or, if necessary, bilateral adrenalectomy. Finally, patients cured of Cushing's disease require long-term monitoring given the risk of relapse and clinical burden of associated ailments.

Physiological Doses of Corticosteroids for Premature Infants

To the Editor .— There is controversy about the use of corticosteroids. What is called a low dose of dexamethasone in the article by Doyle et al1 is still a high dose, even if it is a tapering dose (10 days of treatment, total of 0.89 mg/kg; this is a pharmacologic dose, 3.75 times a “physiologic” dose of dexamethasone, deduced from the physiologic dose of cortisol defined by Metzger et al2). A physiologic dose could be used …

Low Doses of Dexamethasone Affect Immune Parameters in the Absence of Immunological Stimulation

Recent findings suggest an important role of subtle changes in the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines within the brain-immune interplay. It is unclear how such changes are regulated in the absence of acute inflammatory or infectious stimuli. Endocrine systems are a good candidate, because innate immunity and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-system are closely related: glucocorticoids have immunosuppressive properties and modulate cytokine release from stimulated mononuclear blood cells in vitro and the immune response in vivo, but it still remains unclear, whether they also modulate circulating cytokine levels in the absence of immunological stimuli. We measured the influence of 1.5 or 3.0 mg dexamethasone (DEX) per os at 09:00 or 21:00 hours on body temperature, cortisol plasma levels, differential white blood cell counts, and cytokine plasma levels in 40 healthy male volunteers using a double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. In addition to significant morning-evening differences in tympanic temperature and several immune parameters, we found that DEX-intake significantly increased tympanic temperature, decreased cortisol plasma levels, altered differential white blood cell counts and induced changes in unstimulated plasma cytokine levels. Whereas the levels of TNF-alpha and sTNF-R p75 were reduced, the levels of sTNF-R p55 increased after a transient decrease.

Maternal glucocorticoids and prenatal programming of hypertension

Maternal glucocorticoids have been postulated to play an important role in prenatal programming for adult hypertension in the offspring. However, we have shown previously that offspring hypertension caused by maternal dexamethasone subcutaneous administration at 100 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1) can be accounted for by the corresponding reduction in food intake that these mothers experience. The present studies were designed to determine whether there is a lower dose of dexamethasone that does not reduce maternal food intake yet still causes hypertension in the adult offspring. Pregnant rats were treated with subcutaneous dexamethasone at 50 (D50) or 25 (D25) microg x kg(-1) x day(-1) on days 15-20 of pregnancy. An additional group was untreated or received vehicle injections (control). D25 and D50 dams reduced their food intake by 17% during and after treatment and gained 31% less weight than control over the course of gestation. In adulthood ( approximately 21 wk), chronically instrumented male offspring of D50 and D25 had normal blood pressures (D50: 131 +/- 2 mmHg and D25: 127 +/- 3 mmHg vs. 127 +/- 2 mmHg in control). Qualitatively similar results were found in female offspring. Thus neither dexamethasone per se at these doses nor the accompanying modest reductions in maternal food intake and weight gain have blood pressure programming effects. As far as has been tested, there does not appear to be a dose of dexamethasone that, given over this time period in the rat, programs offspring hypertension without reducing maternal food intake and weight gain. These data do not support the hypothesis that maternal glucocorticoids program offspring hypertension directly.

CLINICAL AND IMAGING STUDY: Glucocorticoid negative feedback in methadone‐maintained former heroin addicts with ongoing cocaine dependence: dose–response to dexamethasone suppression

Combined cocaine and illicit opiate use is common. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that cocaine dependence in former heroin-addicted patients maintained on methadone treatment is associated with enhanced glucocorticoid negative feedback. Multiple dose dexamethasone suppression tests, using a conventional 2.0 mg dose, and two lower doses, 0.5 mg and 0.125 mg, were performed in 10 methadone-maintained former heroin addicts with ongoing cocaine dependence (C-MM), 10 stabilized methadone-maintained former heroin addicts with no ongoing drug or alcohol use (MM), and 22 normal volunteers (NV). At 9 hours, there was no difference in plasma adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and/or cortisol levels among groups on the baseline day, as well as after the two lower doses of dexamethasone. At 17 hours, C-MM and MM had significantly lower plasma ACTH and/or cortisol levels than NV. However, C-MM did not significantly differ from MM in their hormonal levels. When the hormonal responses to dexamethasone are expressed as magnitude of lowering from baseline, there was no significant difference at any dose among groups. Therefore, C-MM exhibited a normal glucocorticoid negative feedback in the morning. Using the standard interpretation of dexamethasone suppression testing based on the examination of the actual hormonal levels rather than the difference from baseline condition, C-MM appear to have glucocorticoid effects similar to MM, yet were both greater than NV in the late afternoon. Thus, further studies are needed to know whether altered glucocorticoid negative feedback is related to chronic cocaine exposure, or is the result of former heroin addiction and/or its long-term treatment with methadone.

Modified dexamethasone suppression-corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test: A pilot study of young healthy volunteers and implications for alcoholism research in adolescents and young adults

The key neuroendocrine component of a response to stress is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. Abnormalities in the HPA system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism and suicide. The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is the most frequently used test to assess HPA-system function in psychiatric disorders. This neuroendocrine test consists of the administration of a low dose of dexamethasone at 11 pm and the measurement of cortisol levels at one or more time points on the following day. After corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) became available for clinical studies, the DST was combined with CRH administration. In this test, patients are pretreated with a single dose of dexamethasone at 11 pm and receive human CRH intravenously at 3 pm the following day. The resulting DST-CRH test proved to be much more sensitive in detecting HPA system alterations than the DST. We have modified the DST-CRH test and used ovine CRH instead of human CRH in a pilot study of a group of young healthy volunteers. Results indicated that it produces results similar to the results obtained with human CRH. This suggests that ovine CRH can be used in psychiatric research. Alcoholism is associated with abnormalities in HPA function. Nonalcoholic subjects with a family history of alcoholism exhibit lower plasma ACTH and beta-endorphin as well as lower ACTH, cortisol, and beta-endorphin responses to psychological stress and CRH stimulation. This suggests that in children of alcoholics, alterations in the mechanisms that regulate HPA axis activity predate the development of alcohol dependence and may be considered inherited traits. Therefore, studies of the HPA system in persons at risk for alcoholism may help understand the neurobiological mechanisms of predisposition to alcoholism.

Dexamethasone Versus Methyl-Prednisolone in Induction Therapy for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic (ALL) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Patients ≤ 60 Yrs Old: Final Results of the Eortc All-4 Phase III Trial.

In some recent trials high dose of Dexamethasone (Dexa) combined with chemotherapy has been used for induction therapy in adults with ALL because it may exert higher antileukemic activity. Increased level of drug in the cerebrospinal fluid might also prevent meningeal leukemic infiltration. However, high dose of Dexa may be associated with an increased risk of sepsis and fungal infections. By using a lower dose of dexamethasone these serious infections may be circumvented without jeopardize the antileukemic activity. The main aim of the EORTC ALL-4 study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of a lower dose of Dexa administered during the induction therapy, as vs the ones of conventional dose of prednisone (Pred). In the ALL-4 study, patients (pts) ≤ 60 years had to receive either dexamethasone (10 mg/m2/day) or 6-methyl-prednisolone (60 mg/m2/day) on days 1–8 and 15–22 with standard induction chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide i.v. 750 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8; daunorubicine 30 mg/m2 on day 1–3 and 15–16; vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (maximum 2 mg) and methotrexate /MTX/ i.t. 15 mg on days 1, 8, 15 and 22). All pts than receive the HAM consolidation course (HD-AraC 3 g/m2 every 12 hours on days 1–4; mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 on days 5–7 and MTX 15 mg i.t. on day 1). Pts in CR received two courses of MA consolidation (MTX 1.5 g/m2 i.v on day 1 and L-asparaginase 104 IU/m2 on day 2). All pts with a family donor were assigned to undergo allo-SCT. Pts without the donor were randomized either to receive autologous stem cells from peripheral blood or continuous standard high maintenance chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, 198 pts died. Between 1996 and 2003 a total of 325 pts were randomized in the ALL-4 study: 163 in the Dexa arm and 162 in the Pred arm. CR after induction/HAM was achieved in 128 (78.5%) pts receiving Dexa and in 120 (74.1%) pts treated with Pred. Among them, in Dexa group 61 pts relapsed, 19 died in CR and 48 are still in CCR, whereas in the Pred group, 58 pts relapsed, 8 died in CR and 54 are in CCR. The 5-year DFS rates was 32.7% in the Dexa group vs. 34% in the Pred group, the HR=1.15, 95% CI 0.83–1.59, p=0.40. The relapse rates were extremely similar (HR=0.99, p=0.96), whereas the death in CR rate was higher in the Dexa group compared to Pred group: HR=2.33, 95% CI 1.02–5.33, p=0.04. The overall 5-year survival rate in Dexa vs Pred group was 30.7% and 32.5% respectively (HR=1.11, 95% CI 0.84–1.43, p=0.46). The incidence of infection was similar during induction (Dexa: 55% vs Pred: 59%) and during HAM consolidation (Dexa: 85% vs Pred: 78%). More pts were allografted in CR1 in the Dexa than in the Pred arm (45 vs 33), and the mortality post allo-SCT was higher in the Dexa group (12/45=26.7%) than in the Pred group (5/33=15.2%). The results of ALL-4 trial indicate that there is no benefit of dexamethasone compared to 6-methyl prednisone during induction therapy in adult ALL-NHL pts.

Low Doses of Dexamethasone Can Produce a Hypocorticosteroid State in the Brain

The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (dex) blocks stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation primarily at the level of the anterior pituitary because multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein hampers its penetration in the brain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that central components of the HPA axis would escape dex suppression under conditions of potent peripheral glucocorticoid action. We subchronically treated rats with low or high doses of dex. The animals were subjected on the last day of treatment for 30 min to a restraint stressor after which central and peripheral markers of HPA axis activity were measured. Basal and stress-induced corticosterone secretion, body weight gain, adrenal and thymus weight, as well as proopiomelanocortin mRNA in the anterior pituitary were reduced in a dose-dependent manner by dex administered either 5 d sc or 3 wk orally. In the brain, the highest dose dex suppressed CRH mRNA and CRH heteronuclear RNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). However, in the peripherally active low-dose range of dex CRH mRNA and heteronuclear RNA showed resistance to suppression, and CRH mRNA expression in the PVN was in fact enhanced under the long-term treatment condition. In the PVN, c-fos mRNA was suppressed by the highest dose of dex, but this effect showed a degree of resistance after long-term oral treatment. c-fos mRNA responses in the anterior pituitary followed those in PVN and reflect central drive of the HPA axis even if corticosterone responses are strongly reduced. The results support the concept that low doses of dex can create a hypocorticoid state in the brain.

Mineralocorticoid versus Glucocorticoid Receptor Occupancy Mediating Aldosterone-Stimulated Sodium Transport in a Novel Renal Cell Line

Aldosterone controls sodium balance by regulating an epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)-mediated sodium transport along the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron, which expresses both mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Mineralocorticoid specificity is ensured by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which metabolizes cortisol or corticosterone into inactive metabolites that are unable to bind MR and/or GR. The fractional occupancy of MR and GR by aldosterone mediating the sodium transport response in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron cannot be studied in vivo. For answering this question, a novel mouse cortical collecting duct cell line (mCCD(cl1)), which expresses significant levels of MR and GR and a robust aldosterone sodium transport response, was used. Aldosterone elicited a biphasic response: Low doses (K(1/2) = approximately 0.5 nM) induced a transient and early increase of sodium transport (peaking at 3 h), whereas high doses (K(1/2) = approximately 90 nM) entailed an approximately threefold larger, long-lasting response. At 3 h, the corticosterone dose-response curve was shifted to the right compared with that of aldosterone by more than two log concentrations, an effect that was fully reverted in the presence of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibitor carbenoxolone. Low doses of dexamethasone (0.1 to 1 nM) failed to induce an early response, but high doses elicited a long-lasting response (K(1/2) = approximately 8 nM), similar to that observed for high aldosterone concentrations. Equilibrium binding assays showed that both aldosterone and corticosterone bind to a high-affinity, low-capacity site, whereas dexamethasone binds to one site. Within the physiologic range of aldosterone concentrations, sodium transport is predicted to be controlled by MR occupancy during circadian cycles and by MR and GR occupancy during salt restriction or acute stress.

Social isolation-induced changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in the rat

Social isolation of rats both reduces the cerebrocortical and plasma concentrations of 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-TH PROG) and 3α,5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone and potentiates the positive effects of acute stress and ethanol on the concentrations of these neuroactive steroids. We now show that social isolation decreased the plasma level of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), moreover, intracerebroventricular administration of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) induced a marked increase in the plasma corticosterone level in both isolated and group-housed rats, but this effect was significantly greater in the isolated rats (+121%) than in the group-housed rats (+86%). In addition, in isolated rats, a low dose of dexamethasone had no effect on the plasma corticosterone concentration, whereas, a high dose significantly reduced it; both doses of dexamethasone reduced plasma corticosterone in group-housed rats. Furthermore, the corticosterone level after injection of dexamethasone at the high dose was significantly greater in the isolated animals than in the group-housed rats. These results suggest that social isolation increased sensitivity of the pituitary to CRF and impaired negative feedback regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.

Low doses of dexamethasone constantly delivered by autologous erythrocytes slow the progression of lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the administration of low doses of glucocorticoids in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) by using autologous erythrocytes loaded with dexamethasone 21-phosphate. Study design: Nine consecutive CF patients (patients nos. 1–9) received autologous erythrocytes loaded with increasing amounts of dexamethasone 21-phosphate to obtain a slow delivery of dexamethasone in circulation. The appearance of possible adverse effects, the reproducibility of the procedure, and the dexamethasone pharmacokinetics were evaluated. Subsequently, patient no. 9 and eight additional patients (patient nos. 10–17) received dexamethasone 21-phosphate-loaded erythrocytes at 1-month intervals to evaluate the efficacy of continuous release in circulation of low doses of dexamethasone. Results: Erythrocytes from CF patients can be processed to be loaded with increasing dexamethasone 21-P concentrations. Once reinfused in respective donors, a slow and prolonged delivery of dexamethasone in the blood stream was measured up to 28 days. Repeated administrations of drug-loaded erythrocytes at 4-week intervals for 15 months showed that very low doses of glucocorticoids provide significant improvement in FEV 1 values and significant reduction of infective relapses due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa without adverse effects. Conclusions: The administration of very low doses of glucocorticoids using autologous erythrocytes is possible, with benefits for patients and without side effects. This method is likely to be extended to other chronic diseases.

Low doses of dexamethasone constantly delivered by autologous erythrocytes slow the progression of lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients

Objective : To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the administration of low doses of glucocorticoids in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) by using autologous erythrocytes loaded with dexamethasone 21-phosphate. Study design : Nine consecutive CF patients (patients nos. 1–9) received autologous erythrocytes loaded with increasing amounts of dexamethasone 21-phosphate to obtain a slow delivery of dexamethasone in circulation. The appearance of possible adverse effects, the reproducibility of the procedure, and the dexamethasone pharmacokinetics were evaluated. Subsequently, patient no. 9 and eight additional patients (patient nos. 10–17) received dexamethasone 21-phosphate-loaded erythrocytes at 1-month intervals to evaluate the efficacy of continuous release in circulation of low doses of dexamethasone. Results : Erythrocytes from CF patients can be processed to be loaded with increasing dexamethasone 21-P concentrations. Once reinfused in respective donors, a slow and prolonged delivery of dexamethasone in the blood stream was measured up to 28 days. Repeated administrations of drug-loaded erythrocytes at 4-week intervals for 15 months showed that very low doses of glucocorticoids provide significant improvement in FEV 1 values and significant reduction of infective relapses due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa without adverse effects. Conclusions : The administration of very low doses of glucocorticoids using autologous erythrocytes is possible, with benefits for patients and without side effects. This method is likely to be extended to other chronic diseases.