Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Forskolin-induced Swelling in Intestinal Organoids: An In Vitro Assay for Assessing Drug Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
07:04

Forskolin-induced Swelling in Intestinal Organoids: An In Vitro Assay for Assessing Drug Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Published on: February 11, 2017

Alternate-day prednisone reduces morbidity and improves pulmonary function in cystic fibrosis

H S Auerbach, M Williams, J A Kirkpatrick

    Lancet (London, England)
    |September 28, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Alternate-day prednisone therapy significantly improved lung function and reduced hospitalizations in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) over four years without adverse effects.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Pulmonology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, primarily the lungs.
    • Lung disease progression and associated morbidity are significant concerns in pediatric CF patients.
    • Optimizing treatment strategies to slow disease progression is crucial.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the efficacy of alternate-day prednisone therapy in managing lung disease progression in children with CF.
    • To assess the impact of prednisone on various clinical and physiological parameters in CF patients.
    • To determine the safety profile of long-term alternate-day prednisone use in this population.

    Main Methods:

    • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
    • Participants were pediatric patients (aged 1-12 years) with mild to moderate lung disease at baseline.
    • Patients received either alternate-day prednisone or a placebo for four years.

    Main Results:

    • Prednisone-treated patients showed significant improvements in height, weight, vital capacity, FEV1, peak flow rate, ESR, and serum IgG compared to placebo.
    • Hospital admissions for CF-related pulmonary disease were substantially lower in the prednisone group (9 admissions) versus the placebo group (35 admissions).
    • No significant steroid-induced side effects were observed during the study period.

    Conclusions:

    • Alternate-day prednisone therapy is an effective treatment for improving clinical outcomes and reducing pulmonary exacerbations in pediatric CF patients.
    • The treatment demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no discernible adverse effects over four years.
    • This therapeutic approach offers a promising strategy for managing lung disease progression in cystic fibrosis.

    More Related Videos

    Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study08:00

    Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study

    Published on: April 11, 2018

    Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis05:56

    Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis

    Published on: August 29, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

    Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

    Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
    ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
    COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

    COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

    Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
    Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

    Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

    Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
    CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
    Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

    Cystic Fibrosis: Management

    Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
    Sinus disease and chronic sinusitis...
    Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

    Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

    Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
    Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

    Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

    Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...