Corticosteroid News and Research

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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.

Dexamethasone use during tonsillectomy not associated with excessive bleeding in children

Tonsillectomy is exceedingly common, with a reported increase in tonsillectomy rates in children younger than 15 years from 287,000 to 530,000 per year over the past decade. Although safe, adenotonsillectomy can result in significant complications, such as aspiration and bleeding. Complications are infrequent, but because tonsillectomy is so common, the absolute number of children experiencing tonsillectomy complications is formidable.

26 Sep 2012

Absence of proteinuria good prognostic sign in IgA nephropathy

The presence of normal renal function and minor urinary abnormalities indicates a good long-term prognosis among Caucasian patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy, say Spanish researchers.

24 Sep 2012

FDA approves Acton’s AEROSPAN sNDA to treat asthma

Acton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sNDA (Supplemental New Drug Application) for AEROSPAN (flunisolide HFA, 80 mcg) Inhalation Aerosol, a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) orally inhaled corticosteroid indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma as a prophylactic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.

21 Sep 2012

Daily use of inhaled steroid may not be essential in mild asthma patients

Individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma who use inhaled corticosteroids only when symptomatic can achieve the same level of symptom control as those who use the drug daily, study results show.

18 Sep 2012

Anthera to initiate blisibimod Phase 3 program for systemic lupus erythematosus

Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation and autoimmune disorders, today provided an update on regulatory discussions for the global development of blisibimod.

17 Sep 2012

Corticosteroids only help minority of alopecia patients

Results from a long-term study show that pulsed corticosteroid treatment is only effective in about a third of alopecia patients.

14 Sep 2012

Daily low-dose inhaled corticosteroids do not benefit asthmatics

For two decades, asthma treatment for millions of people with a milder form of the disease has consisted of daily inhaled steroid medicine to reduce inflammation. Now, a new study has found that asthmatics who take the low-dose medication as a daily routine do no better than those who turn to their inhalers only when they have symptoms.

12 Sep 2012

Enrollment complete in DOUBle Phase 3 clinical trial of AzaSite Plus and DexaSite for blepharitis

InSite Vision Incorporated today announced that patient enrollment has been completed in the DOUBle Phase 3 clinical trial of AzaSite Plus (ISV-502) and DexaSite (ISV-305) for the treatment of blepharitis.

7 Sep 2012

Corticosteroids needed after DALK to avert stromal rejection

Like those undergoing penetrating keratoplasty, patients treated with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty may benefit from taking postoperative corticosteroids to prevent stromal rejection, report US researchers.

5 Sep 2012

NCI awards Soligenix $300,000 SBIR grant for orBec Phase 2 chronic GI GVHD trial

Soligenix, Inc., a development stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the National Cancer Institute has awarded Soligenix a Small Business Innovation Research grant to support the conduct of a Phase 2 clinical trial designed to evaluate orBec (oral beclomethasone 17,21-dipropionate or BDP) as a treatment for the gastrointestinal manifestation of chronic Graft-versus-Host disease.

5 Sep 2012

Inhaled steroid drugs slow growth in children with asthma

Children who use inhaled steroid drugs for asthma end up slightly shorter at their full adult height than children who don't use the drugs, new results from a comprehensive asthma study show.

3 Sep 2012

Doubt cast on LABA withdrawal in combination asthma therapy

Researchers have urged doctors to be cautious over withdrawal of long-acting beta-2 agonist therapy in patients with asthma controlled by this type of bronchodilator in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid, after finding the approach often results in destabilization of their condition.

31 Aug 2012

S107 drug can prevent learning and memory deficits associated with stress-related disorders

Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have identified a potential medical treatment for the cognitive effects of stress-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

31 Aug 2012

Soligenix’s RiVax induces greater ricin neutralizing antibody levels in humans

Soligenix, Inc., a development stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today the results of a Phase 1B clinical trial of an aluminum hydroxide (Alum) adjuvanted formulation of RiVax, designed to improve the immunogenicity of the vaccine.

31 Aug 2012

FDA warns consumers about potential health risks of two natural dietary supplements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a new warning to consumers about the potential health risks of two products marketed as natural dietary supplements for treating arthritis, muscle pain, osteoporosis, bone cancer, and other conditions.

22 Aug 2012

Mepolizumab almost halves exacerbations in severe asthma patients

The largest study of patients with severe asthma to date, published in The Lancet special issue on respiratory medicine, shows that those treated with the monoclonal antibody mepolizumab experienced an almost 50% reduction in severe exacerbations, emergency room visits, and hospitalisations compared with patients given placebo.

17 Aug 2012

FDA extends PDUFA target action date for review of Santarus' UCERIS NDA

Santarus, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date for the review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for UCERIS (budesonide) tablets 9 mg for the induction of remission of mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis from October 16, 2012 to January 16, 2013.

14 Aug 2012

Meritage commences OBS Phase 2 clinical trial for eosinophilic esophagitis

Meritage Pharma, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate oral budesonide suspension (OBS) for the treatment of adolescents and young adults with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. EoE is a chronic disease characterized by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil-predominant inflammation.

13 Aug 2012

Plasma exchange is beneficial additive to optic neuritis treatment

The addition of plasma exchange to pulsed intravenous corticosteroid treatment of acute optic neuritis associated with neuromyelitis optica results in improved visual acuity, show study results.

8 Aug 2012

Corticosteroids show no clinical benefit in treating acute sinusitis

Corticosteroids, frequently prescribed to alleviate acute sinusitis, show no clinical benefit in treating the condition, according to a randomized controlled trial published in CMAJ.

8 Aug 2012