Following 50 years of glucocorticoid use in a clinical setting, an international body of expert scientists and physicians presents the most expansive survey of glucocorticoid pharmacology to date. This work traces the history of glucocorticoid biology from the seminal description of glucocorticoid insufficiency by Thomas Addison in the mid-19th century, up to current advances in elucidating the molecular basis of glucocorticoid action. Important discoveries are presented, as well as milestones in drug development, a survey of current clinical practice, and prospects for novel glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. Scientists and clinicians will appreciate the scope of this work, which is of special interest to workers in the fields of endocrinology, inflammation and autoimmune disease.

Inhalt
The development of glucocorticoids as therapeutic agents.- Glucocorticoid biology a molecular maze and clinical challenge..- Glucocorticoid biology a historical perspective.- The development of synthetic glucocorticoids.- Molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoid action.- The glucocorticoid receptor: expression, function, and regulation of glucocorticoid responsiveness.- Molecular and cellular aspects of cytokine regulation by glucocorticoids.- Current perspectives in glucocorticoid biology.- Glucocorticoids and leukocyte adhesion.- Annexin I as a mediator of glucocorticoid action.- Glucocorticoids and the HPA axis.- The role of 11?-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase in regulating glucocorticoid action..- Glucocorticoids in contemporary clinical practice.- Glucocorticoids and asthma.- Systemic glucocorticoids in chronic arthritis.- Glucocorticoids in the control of inflammatory bowel disease.