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Abstract
Background: The use of corticosteroids has been shown to be effective in the management of vasogenic edema caused by brain tumors, and is currently the standard of care. The associated systemic side effects, however, can be even more debilitating than the primary disease process, ultimately warranting premature discontinuation of steroids in some patients. In response, corticorelin acetate, a synthetic targeted human corticotropin-releasing factor (hCRF) analogue, has been developed to simulate the benefits of corticosteroids in treating peritumoral brain edema (PBE), while sparing the systemic toxicity. Objective: This article reviews the development of corticorelin acetate and its potential role in treating PBE as an alternative to standard corticosteroid therapy. Methods: Relevant articles and abstracts were obtained from searches of the medical and chemical literature databases, as well as from the references from published articles. Results/conclusion: Animal studies and a Phase I randomized trial have demonstrated that hCRF is well tolerated and effective in reducing PBE and its associated signs and symptoms. In addition, the effectiveness of this drug may be helpful in sparing the use of corticosteroid therapy in patients with brain tumors, with the results from several multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase III clinical trials currently pending.