Premium
Cortisol induction by poly ICLC: Implications for clinical trials of interferon
Author(s) -
Bever Christopher T.,
McFarland Henry F.,
Levy Hilton B.,
McFarlin Dale E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410230215
Subject(s) - medicine , interferon , multiple sclerosis , hydrocortisone , clinical trial , endocrinology , randomized controlled trial , inducer , gastroenterology , immunology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Because interferon injections have recently been reported to induce cortisol in cancer patients, we retrospectively reviewed cortisol levels obtained during a preliminary trial of the interferon inducer polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid in poly‐ L ‐lysine and carboxymethylcellulose (poly ICLC) in multiple sclerosis patients to determine if significant cortisol induction occurred. Analysis of data from 51 poly ICLC infusions in 6 men and 4 women showed elevated cortisol levels 4 to 16 hours after infusion, with hematological changes consistent with steroid effect. The highest cortisol levels observed were in 2 patients who improved during the treatment period, but there was no clear relationship between cortisol levels and clinical outcome in the group as a whole.