Novel biomarker for glucocorticoids could help tailor treatments

[Northerner]

Researchers have uncovered pathways involved in the body's response to glucocorticoid treatments and identified a novel biomarker that could be used to monitor how these drugs work in patients, according to a clinical study published today in eLife.

A more reliable indicator of an individual's response to glucocorticoid drugs could be used to develop a clinically applicable test that could help tailor treatments and potentially minimise side-effects.

Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are a type of hormone with key roles in the body's response to stress. Glucocorticoid drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed treatments for a range of conditions, including for patients whose adrenal glands are unable to produce enough cortisol. The effects of glucocorticoids are complex, meaning the level of cortisol in the blood does not reliably reflect what is happening in the tissues. This makes it hard for medical professionals to know how to tailor treatments.

Novel biomarker for glucocorticoids could help tailor treatments

Researchers have uncovered pathways involved in the body's response to glucocorticoid treatments and identified a novel biomarker that could be used to monitor how these drugs work in patients.

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[mikeyB]

Isn’t titration against clinical response good enough? Have to see what @Pumper_Sue says, I don’t know of anyone else has Addison’s.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Isn’t titration against clinical response good enough? Have to see what @Pumper_Sue says, I don’t know of anyone else has Addison’s.

My body soon tells me if I need extra steroids, personally I can not see any point in having extra test/gadgets when your body soon lets you know it needs help.

 

[mikeyB]

Thought that was the case, Sue. So we agree, fairly pointless.