What are glucocorticoids? Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones naturally produced by the adrenal cortex but can also be given as medications e.g. Prednisolone and dexamethasone. How do they affect lymphoma? Glucocorticoids help destroy lymphoma cells in dogs and cats primarily through inducing apoptosis— a form of programmed cell death — especially in lymphoid cells, including B and T lymphocytes. There are several mechanisms by which they destroy lymphoma cells: Binding to Glucocorticoid Receptors Glucocorticoids enter lymphoma cells and bind to cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). This complex moves into the nucleus and affects gene transcription. Altered Gene Expression They upregulate pro-apoptotic genes…
Kaitlin HattleJuly 18, 2025


