Breathe Deep: Which Patients Could Benefit From Inhaled Steroids In Cystic Fibrosis?

Main Category: Cystic Fibrosis
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 29 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT


A specific variation in the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with lung disease progression in cystic fibrosis, research published this week in the online open access journal Respiratory Research reveals. This finding adds weight to previous research suggesting that specific subgroups of patients with cystic fibrosis may benefit from glucocorticoid treatment.

Patients with cystic fibrosis show wide variability both in terms of the inflammatory burden of the lung and in their response to inhaled glucorticoids. As such, the effectiveness of this therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis remains uncertain. However, previous research has suggested that specific subgroups of patients may benefit from treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids.

In several inflammatory diseases, variations in sensitivity to glucocorticoids have been found to be associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor gene. So, a team from Hôpital Trousseau, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm and Université Pierre et Marie Curie (all based in Paris, France) set out to investigate the effect of four polymorphisms (TthIII, ER22/23EK, N363S and BclI) in the glucocorticoid receptor gene on disease progression in 255 young people with cystic fibrosis.

The BclI glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with a decline in lung function, as measured by the forced expiratory volume in 1 second and the forced vital capacity. The deterioration in lung function was more pronounced in patients with the BclI GG genotype than in those with the CG and CC genotypes. The authors write: "The association of BclI polymorphism and lung disease progression in cystic fibrosis gives support to the concept that specific subgroups of patients with cystic fibrosis may benefit from the use of glucocorticoids preferably by the inhaled route. If true, this should allow discriminatory prescribing which is of tremendous importance."

Article: Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Progression of Lung Disease in Young Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Harriet Corvol, Nadia Nathan, Celine Charlier, Katarina Chadelat, Philippe Le Rouzic, Olivier Tabary, Brigitte Fauroux, Alexandra Henrion-Caude, Josue Feingold, Pierre-Yves Boelle and Annick Clement
Respiratory Research

About Respiratory Research

Respiratory Research is an Open Access, peer-reviewed, online journal that considers manuscripts on all aspects of respiratory function and disease. The journal welcomes studies on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, genetics, infectious diseases, interstitial lung diseases, lung development, lung tumors, occupational and environmental factors, pulmonary circulation, pulmonary pharmacology and therapeutics, respiratory critical care, respiratory immunology, respiratory physiology, and sleep. The journal will also welcome state-of-the-art reviews on related topics.

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