In the same induction regimen, which drug is a corticosteroid?

In the same induction regimen, which drug is a corticosteroid?

• A. Vincristine
• B. Asparaginase
• C. Prednisone
• D. Daunorubicin

Answer: (C)

Corticosteroids are essential in ALL induction because they cause rapid lymphoblast death. Prednisone is a glucocorticoid used in the induction regimen; it binds intracellular receptors, modulates gene transcription, and promotes apoptosis of lymphoid blasts, helping to rapidly reduce tumor burden. The other drugs are not corticosteroids: vincristine disrupts microtubules and blocks mitosis, asparaginase depletes asparagine to starve leukemic cells, and daunorubicin intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II. Therefore, prednisone is the corticosteroid in this regimen.

Corticosteroids are essential in ALL induction because they cause rapid lymphoblast death. Prednisone is a glucocorticoid used in the induction regimen; it binds intracellular receptors, modulates gene transcription, and promotes apoptosis of lymphoid blasts, helping to rapidly reduce tumor burden. The other drugs are not corticosteroids: vincristine disrupts microtubules and blocks mitosis, asparaginase depletes asparagine to starve leukemic cells, and daunorubicin intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II. Therefore, prednisone is the corticosteroid in this regimen.