Corticosteroid News and Research

RSS

Corticosteroids are any steroid hormones made in the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland). They are also made in the laboratory. Corticosteroids have many different effects in the body, and are used to treat many different conditions. They may be used as hormone replacement, to suppress the immune system, and to treat some side effects of cancer and its treatment. Corticosteroids are also used to treat certain lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias.

Favourable meta-analysis of inhaled corticosteroids in COVID-19 outpatients

Two open-label randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of inhaled corticosteroids such as budesonide in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients have helped garner attention towards inhaled corticosteroids as a safe and inexpensive treatment method in non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients.

9 Nov 2021

What are the anti-COVID drugs currently in development?

The first antiviral drugs effective against COVID-19 were recently approved in the UK and USA. A researcher from the Laboratory of Gene Technology has been exploring what we know so far.

8 Nov 2021

Investigation of Budesonide's mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers look to gain an understanding of the mechanism of action of budesonide in improving the prognosis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

1 Nov 2021

Severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients with high ferritin show better outcomes after steroid treatment

During the entire pandemic, physicians treating patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia continuously looked for hints and signs on what may enable patients to have better outcomes.

15 Oct 2021

Limited evidence colchicine reduces COVID-19 related hospitalization

The present randomized clinical trial attempted to study if colchicine will effectively hasten recovery and reduce COVID-19 associated hospitalizations or death.

27 Sep 2021

Researchers show how to personalize treatments for patients with COPD

Patients with COPD are treated with drugs to improve the breathing ability in combination with inhaled corticosteroids to reduce the risk of acute worsening of the lung conditions.

26 Aug 2021

Glycyrrhizic acid as a drug candidate for COVID-19

A new study presents the benefits of licorice, an age-old herbal remedy, to treat COVID-19 at all stages.

24 Aug 2021

Young, healthy adult infected by COVID-19 suffers CNS lymphocytic vasculitis

Although COVID-19 is primarily treated as a respiratory disease, patients often experience neurological problems, such as headaches, anxiety, depression and cognitive issues, which can persist long after other symptoms have resolved.

9 Aug 2021

Study uncovers link between corticosteroid receptors and ciliary, neuroplasticity genes in the brain

Chronic stress is a well-known cause for mental health disorders. New research has moved a step forward in understanding how glucocorticoid hormones ('stress hormones') act upon the brain and what their function is.

6 Aug 2021

Study connects hyperglycemia and prolonged cloth mask use to COVID-19-associated mucormycosis risk

A new study conducted in India identifies the role of high blood sugar levels in predisposing patients to mucormycosis infection.

1 Aug 2021

Kids with allergies less likely to get SARS-CoV-2

Asthma is not associated with worse outcomes among children and adolescents with COVID-19.

28 Jul 2021

Budesonide’s antiviral effect against SARS-CoV-2

A new study examines the in vitro antiviral effect of pure budesonide and Pulmicort® against the SARS-CoV-2 WT and two VoCs.

26 Jul 2021

Could corticosteroids increase mortality in COVID-19 patients without high oxygen supplementation?

A new paper focuses on the role of corticosteroids, in particular, as these were widely used among patients on intensive respiratory support (IRS).

14 Jul 2021

Researchers reanalyze COVID RECOVERY trial data on tocilizumab

A Bayesian analysis of the RECOVERY trial suggests the immunosuppressive drug tocilizumab can reduce deaths in hospitalized COVID-19 patients taking corticosteroids as well as patients on oxygen or non-invasive ventilation and likely increases hospital discharge rates. However, it is not clear if patients on invasive ventilation also benefit.

24 Jun 2021

Cinnamon compound could be useful supplement to dexamethasone in COVID-19 treatment

Researchers in Germany and the United States have conducted a study showing that supplementing dexamethasone treatment with Ceylon cinnamon in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may allow dexamethasone to be administered at lower doses, thereby avoiding the side effects that occur with high doses of the steroid.

17 Jun 2021

Hydroxychloroquine + Azithromycin therapy at a higher dose improved survival by nearly 200% in ventilated COVID patients

However, a fascinating new study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server suggests that such disappointment may have been both premature and unwarranted, based on a re-analysis of over 250 patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during the first two months of the pandemic.

2 Jun 2021

Vagus nerve stimulation may be a potential adjunct therapy for COVID-19

COVID-19 was initially described as lung inflammation, or pneumonia, in older adults. However, we now know that SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause a wide range of symptoms in people of all ages, ranging from no symptoms at all to systemic inflammation and even death.

27 May 2021

Enrolment in high-deductible health plan may not be linked to asthma exacerbations

How does the switch to a high-deductible health plan affect children with asthma? A new study led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute suggests that enrollment in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) may not be associated with changes in asthma medication use or asthma exacerbations when medications are exempt from the deductible.

26 May 2021

Investigators map how drugs were used on people hospitalized with COVID-19 infection

A record of medicine utilization patterns assembled by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the UC San Diego School of Medicine reveals the thought, care and scientific rigor clinicians at UC Health medical centers applied in their treatment of patients with COVID-19 in 2020.

21 May 2021

Dupilumab considerably reduced asthma exacerbations in young children, shows VOYAGE trial

Results from the VOYAGE study of dupilumab (Dupixent) showed that the monoclonal antibody significantly reduced exacerbations in children ages 6-11 with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma, compared to placebo, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference. VOYAGE (NCT02948959) is a recently completed randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter phase 3 clinical trial, that took place in a number of countries.

20 May 2021