Implications of glucocorticoid-induced co-inhibitory molecule expression on combined glucocorticoid and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Objective: Glucocorticoids (GC) play a critical role in managing inflammatory conditions and have gained attention in cancer immunotherapy due to their immunosuppressive properties. This review explores the relationship between GC and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in cancer progression and therapy, and most importantly, synthesizes updated evidence linking GC-induced upregulation of inhibitory checkpoint molecules leading to ICI therapy failure in some cases.

Methods: This review examines the role of co-inhibitory molecules (CIMs) like programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) in modulating immune responses and enabling tumor evasion. It also considers immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with ICI therapy, which are often mitigated using GCs. While GCs manage irAEs effectively, their influence on therapeutic outcomes remains controversial. Preclinical and clinical evidence shows that GCs may activate CIMs, potentially undermining the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Results: Preclinical studies indicate that both synthetic and endogenous GC upregulate CIMs like PD-1 and LAG-3 on immune cells, impairing immune activation and anti-tumor responses. Pharmacologic inhibition of GCs signaling, such as 11β-HSD1 inhibitors, has shown promise in enhancing ICI efficacy. GCs timing and dosage are critical; early GC use often correlates with poorer treatment responses, while later use may improve clinical outcomes.

Conclusions: This review highlights the dual role of GCs as potential immunomodulators of immune responses in cancer immunotherapy. A deeper understanding of GC-ICI interactions is vital to optimize treatment strategies. Future studies are needed to refine therapeutic approaches and individualized patient outcomes.