Adrenal function following high-dose steroids in ovarian cancer patients.

Purpose: Steroid doses similar to those used to prevent paclitaxel-associated hypersensitivity reactions and cisplatin-induced nausea have been associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression. We assessed HPA function in patients receiving high-dose steroids as part of their chemotherapy regimen for epithelial ovarian cancer.

Patients And Methods: From January to July 1994, a cross-sectional study of HPA function was performed on patients receiving dexamethasone (DEX) as part of their paclitaxel and cisplatin chemotherapy regimen (n = 9). Patients received 20 mg of DEX orally, 6 and 12 hr prior to paclitaxel (135 mg/m2) and 10-20 mg intravenously before cisplatin (50-100 mg/m2). In addition, patients received approximately 12 mg/day of DEX orally for 4 days after their chemotherapy as an antiemetic. HPA integrity was evaluated by the administration of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The ACTH stimulation test was performed 11-19 days after the completion of the course of DEX. Patients had fasting baseline cortisol levels drawn at approximately 0800 followed by a 25-unit intravenous injection of ACTH. Post-ACTH cortisol levels were repeated at 30 and 60 min.

Results: The mean (+/- SEM) fasting baseline level of cortisol was 12.4 +/- 2.3 micrograms/dl (normal, 7-23 micrograms/dl). At 30 min following ACTH administration, the mean cortisol level rose 17.1 micrograms to 29.5 +/- 1.8 micrograms/dl; at 60 min it rose 21.4 micrograms to 33.8 +/- 2.5 micrograms/dl [P < 0.001] (normal increase 9-39 micrograms). All patients demonstrated a sufficient increase in their plasma cortisol after ACTH stimulation, indicating normal HPA function on the days tested. However, there was a significant trend toward lower increases in plasma cortisol at 30 and 60 min as the interval from ACTH stimulation testing to the DEX regimen decreased (r = 0.986; P < 0.0001). The chemotherapy cycle number had no impact on cortisol response in the multivariate analysis. Based on multiple linear regression, HPA function may be suppressed for approximately 8 days, but up to 14 days from the start of this DEX regimen.

Conclusion: Current steroid regimens prescribed with chemotherapy transiently decrease HPA function, but do not appear to inhibit the HPA axis long term. HPA function may be suppressed for approximately 8 days from the commencement of chemotherapy cycles involving DEX. Patients presenting within the first 8 days of a chemotherapy cycle using steroids with symptoms attributable to HPA suppression may benefit from HPA axis testing.