Cortisol induction by poly ICLC: implications for clinical trials of interferon.
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.
Bever
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Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20205.
McFarland
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Levy
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McFarlin
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D000328:Adult; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007372:Interferons / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007369:Interferon Inducers; D011107:Polylysine; C019531:poly ICLC; D008747:Methylcellulose; D007372:Interferons; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D011070:Poly I-C; D006854:Hydrocortisone