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Corticosteroids May Reduce Effectiveness of Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, JUL 7 – Keck Medicine researchers found that corticosteroids reduce tumor shrinkage and survival rates in lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, based on data from 277 patients.
- On July 7, 2025, Keck Medicine researchers led by Fumito Ito published a study in Cancer Research Communications showing steroids can reduce immunotherapy effectiveness in non-small cell lung cancer patients.
- The study analyzed medical records of 277 patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or with other therapies to investigate steroids' impact on treatment outcomes.
- Researchers found that steroids block circulating biomarkers that signal cancer progression and inhibit T-cells from fully maturing, which are critical for effective immune response.
- Ito explained that steroids inhibit the development of T-cells, which are crucial immune cells responsible for combating cancer, resulting in diminished tumor reduction and reduced survival rates in patients treated with steroids.
- The study implies steroids may hinder immunotherapy efficacy, but researchers note steroids remain necessary for symptom management and advocate for further studies to refine cancer treatment decisions.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Effects of immune related adverse events and corticosteroids on the outcome of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Immune related adverse events (irAEs) occur due to the inflammatory side effects of immune check point inhibitors (ICIs) and irAEs have been associated with improved efficacy in advanced non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Corticosteroids can reduce the efficacy of ICIs due to their immunosuppressive effects. In this study, we aimed to show the effects of the development of irAEs and the use of ≥ 10 mg prednisone and equivalent steroids on t…
Corticosteroids may reduce effectiveness of immunotherapy in lung cancer
Corticosteroids, a commonly prescribed medication to alleviate cancer-related symptoms for non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, are the main reason certain immunotherapies may fail in treating the disease, according to new research by Keck Medicine of USC.
Common medication for lung cancer symptoms found to limit effectiveness of cancer treatment
LOS ANGELES — Corticosteroids, a commonly prescribed medication to alleviate cancer-related symptoms for non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, are the main reason certain immunotherapies may fail in treating the disease, according to new research by Keck Medicine of USC. The study, published today in Cancer Research ...
Common medication for lung cancer symptoms found to limit immunotherapy effectiveness
Corticosteroids, a commonly prescribed medication to alleviate cancer-related symptoms for non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, are the main reason certain immunotherapies may fail in treating the disease, according to new research by Keck Medicine of USC.
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