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Dexamethasone co-medication in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy causes substantial immunomodulatory effects with implications for chemo-immunotherapy strategies.
- Source :
-
OncoImmunology . 2016, Vol. 5 Issue 3, p1-1. 1p. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- The glucocorticoid (GC) steroid dexamethasone (Dex) is used as a supportive care co-medication for cancer patients undergoing standard care pemetrexed/platinum doublet chemotherapy. As trials for new cancer immunotherapy treatments increase in prevalence, it is important to track the immunological changes induced by co-medications commonly used in the clinic, but not specifically included in trial design or in pre-clinical models. Here, we document a number of Dex -induced immunological effects, including a large-scale lymphodepletive effect particularly affecting CD4+T cells but also CD8+T cells. The proportion of regulatory T cells within the CD4+compartment did not change after Dex was administered, however a significant increase in proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells was observed. We also noted Dex -induced proportional changes in dendritic cell (DC) subtypes. We discuss these immunological effects in the context of chemoimmunotherapy strategies, and suggest a number of considerations to be taken into account when designing future studies where Dex and other GCs may be in use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 21624011
- Volume :
- 5
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- OncoImmunology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 114017007
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2015.1066062