etoposide + dexamethasone

Etoposide + dexamethasone is a combination regimen used primarily in the treatment of hematologic malignancies and severe immune dysregulation syndromes, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and certain lymphomas. Etoposide is a semisynthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin that acts as an antineoplastic agent by inhibiting DNA topoisomerase II, leading to DNA strand breaks and cell death, particularly affecting cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle[2][1]. Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic corticosteroid that binds to glucocorticoid receptor, suppressing pro-inflammatory signals and modulating gene expression to reduce inflammation[8]. The combination leverages etoposide’s cytotoxic effects on rapidly dividing or pathologically activated T cells with dexamethasone’s immunomodulatory properties. This regimen forms the backbone of HLH therapy (e.g., HLH-94 protocol), where it helps control hyperinflammation by depleting activated T cells (etoposide) while suppressing cytokine production and immune activation (dexamethasone)[4][6][3].

Brand names

Toposar

Other names

none