# Prednisone

Source: https://onco.cc/drugs/prednisone/  
OnCo record `prednisone` (Treatment). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Prednisone is the everyday steroid tablet in cancer care. It is the P in CHOP and MOPP for lymphoma, part of childhood leukaemia treatment, and taken with abiraterone in prostate cancer.

## Summary

Prednisone was approved in 1955 and its label lists leukaemias and lymphomas for palliative management and hypercalcaemia of malignancy alongside a long list of inflammatory conditions. In oncology it is a component of R-CHOP (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma), MOPP and BEACOPP (Hodgkin lymphoma), childhood and adult ALL induction and CLL regimens, and it is co-prescribed with abiraterone to prevent mineralocorticoid excess and with docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It also treats immune-related adverse events of checkpoint inhibitors and is used in palliative care for appetite and fatigue. Prednisolone is the equivalent used in the UK and much of Europe. Long-term use brings hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis, infection risk, mood change and adrenal suppression.

## Fields

- Kind: Treatment
- Status: approved
- Last checked: 2026-09-10
- Also known as: Prednisolone (active metabolite, used in the UK and Europe)
- Tags: nci-list; generic; supportive
- Brand: Deltasone (historic) / Rayos
- Modality: Glucocorticoid
- Mechanism: Prodrug converted in the liver to prednisolone, a glucocorticoid receptor agonist that is lympholytic and anti-inflammatory.
- Approvals: US 1955: Palliative management of leukaemias and lymphomas; hypercalcaemia of malignancy; inflammatory conditions

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone
- US label (DailyMed): https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=prednisone
- NCI drug page: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/prednisone

## Connected records

- drugs: [Abiraterone acetate](https://onco.cc/drugs/abiraterone/), [Docetaxel](https://onco.cc/drugs/docetaxel/)
- cancers: [Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia](https://onco.cc/cancers/all-leukemia/), [Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/adult-t-cell-leukaemia-lymphoma/), [ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/alk-negative-anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma/), [ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/alk-positive-anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma/), [Burkitt lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/burkitt-lymphoma/), [Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia](https://onco.cc/cancers/cll/), [Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/dlbcl/), [Follicular lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/follicular-lymphoma/), [High-risk acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children (high-risk B-ALL and T-ALL)](https://onco.cc/cancers/all-paediatric-high-risk/), [Hodgkin lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (KMT2A-rearranged, under one year)](https://onco.cc/cancers/all-infant/), [Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/monomorphic-epitheliotropic-intestinal-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, transplant-ineligible](https://onco.cc/cancers/myeloma-transplant-ineligible/), [Nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic type (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/angioimmunoblastic-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (nodular lymphocyte-predominant B-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/nodular-lymphocyte-predominant-hodgkin-lymphoma/), [Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/peripheral-t-cell-lymphoma/), [Primary large B-cell lymphoma of the testis](https://onco.cc/cancers/primary-testicular-lymphoma/), [Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/primary-mediastinal-b-cell-lymphoma/), [Prostate cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/prostate/), [Richter transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia](https://onco.cc/cancers/richter-transformation-cll/), [Sezary syndrome](https://onco.cc/cancers/sezary-syndrome/)
- terms: [Prodrug](https://onco.cc/terms/prodrug/), [The lymphoma regimen alphabet: R-CHOP, pola-R-CHP, DA-EPOCH-R, ABVD, BEACOPP and the rest](https://onco.cc/terms/lymphoma-tx-regimen-alphabet/), [Tumour lysis syndrome in lymphoma: who is at risk, and rasburicase](https://onco.cc/terms/lymphoma-tx-tumour-lysis/)
- trials: [A Clinical Study of Ifinatamab Deruxtecan (I-DXd) in People With Metastatic Prostate Cancer (MK-2400-001)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06925737/), [A Clinical Study of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Plus Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (R-CHP) Versus Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus R-CHP in People With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (MK-2140-011/waveLINE-011)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06890884/), [A Combination of Acalabrutinib With R-CHOP in Subjects With Previously Untreated Non-GCB DLBCL (ACE-LY-312)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04529772/), [A Comparative Dose-finding Study of RS-113 in Patients With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07553988/), [A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Study of Fuzuloparib Combined With Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone (AA-P) Ver](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04691804/), [A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Effects of ASP5541 in Participants With Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07005154/), [A Study for Subjects With Prostate Cancer Who Previously Participated in an Enzalutamide Clinical Study](https://onco.cc/trials/nct02960022/), [A Study for the Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer With HRS-1167 Tablets Combined With Abiraterone Acetate Tablets and Prednisone](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06689163/), [A Study of Abemaciclib (LY2835219) With Abiraterone in Men With Prostate Cancer That Has Spread to Other Parts of the Body and is Expected to Respond to Hormonal Treatment (Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05288166/), [A Study of Abiraterone Acetate Plus Prednisone With or Without Abemaciclib (LY2835219) in Participants With Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct03706365/), [A Study of ARV-766 Given by Mouth in Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05067140/), [A Study of AZD0486 Monotherapy or in Combination With Other Anti-Cancer Agents for Mature B-Cell Malignancies](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06564038/), [A Study of Brentuximab Vedotin in Combination With Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin (Hydroxydaunorubicin), Prednisone (CHP) in Chinese Participants With CD30-Positive (CD30+) Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas (PTCL)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05673785/), [A Study of HDM2005 in Combination With Standard of Care in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07124936/), [A Study of HRS-5041 Tablets Combined With Antitumor Therapy in Subjects With Advanced Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06568094/), [A Study of Niraparib Combination Therapies for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct03431350/), [A Study of Niraparib in Combination With Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone Versus Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone for the Treatment of Participants With Deleterious Germline or Somatic Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) Gene-MutatedProstatic Neoplasms (mCSPC)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04497844/), [A Study of Pasritamig With Docetaxel Versus Docetaxel in Participants With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07225946/), [A Study of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) in Combination With Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone Plus Rituximab or Rituximab Biosimilar (Truxima) (R-CHP) in Participants With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (MK-2140-007)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05406401/), [A Study That Provides Long-term Safety Follow-up and Examines Long-term Exposure to Abiraterone Acetate](https://onco.cc/trials/nct01517802/), [A Study to Compare How Well Odronextamab Combined With Chemotherapy Works and How Safe it is Against Rituximab Combined With Chemotherapy, in Adult Pa](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06091865/), [A Study to Evaluate Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Subcutaneous (SC) Epcoritamab As Monotherapy or Combined With Standard of Care Th](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05201248/), [A Study to Evaluate Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Subcutaneous (SC) Epcoritamab in Combination With Oral and Intravenous Anti-Neopl](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05283720/), [A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Golcadomide in Combination With Rituximab in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Stage Follicular Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06425302/), [A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Glofitamab in Combination With Rituximab (R) Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisone (CHOP) in Circulating Tumor (ct)DNA High-Risk Patients With Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04980222/), [A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of MORAb-202 (Herein Referred to as Farletuzumab Ecteribulin), a Folate Receptor Alpha (FRα)-Targeting Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC) in Participants With Selected Tumor Types](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04300556/), [A Study to Evaluate Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Combination With Rituximab Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (R-CHP) Versus Rituxi](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06717347/), [A Trial to Learn if Odronextamab Combined With Chemotherapy is Safe and Well-Tolerated and How Well it Works Compared to Rituximab Combined With Chemo](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06097364/), [A Trial to Learn if Odronextamab is Safe and Well-Tolerated and How Well it Works Compared to Rituximab Combined With Different Types of Chemotherapy ](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06091254/), [AALL0232](https://onco.cc/trials/aall0232/), [AFFINITY](https://onco.cc/trials/affinity-custirsen/), [AHL2011](https://onco.cc/trials/ahl2011/), [AHOD1331](https://onco.cc/trials/ahod1331/), [Alliance/CALGB 50303](https://onco.cc/trials/calgb-50303/), [An Efficacy and Safety Study of Apalutamide (JNJ-56021927) in Combination With Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone Versus Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone in Participants With Chemotherapy-naive Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct02257736/), [ARCHED](https://onco.cc/trials/arched/), [CALGB 90401](https://onco.cc/trials/calgb-90401/), [CARD](https://onco.cc/trials/card/), [Chemotherapy With or Without Strontium-89 in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct00024167/), [Clinical Study of XNW5004 Combined With CHOP/CHOEP in the Treatment of Untreated Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07730515/), [Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Newly Diagnosed High-Risk B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Ph-Like TKI Sensitive Mutations](https://onco.cc/trials/nct02883049/), [Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Lestaurtinib in Treating Younger Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia](https://onco.cc/trials/nct00557193/), [COMET-1](https://onco.cc/trials/comet-1/), [Conventional Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) With or Without Abiraterone Acetate + Prednisone and Apalutamide Following a Detectable PSA After Radiation and ADT](https://onco.cc/trials/nct03777982/), [COU-AA-301](https://onco.cc/trials/cou-aa-301/), [COU-AA-302](https://onco.cc/trials/cou-aa-302/), [ECHELON-2](https://onco.cc/trials/echelon-2/), [ELM-PC 4](https://onco.cc/trials/elm-pc-4-orteronel/), [ENRICH](https://onco.cc/trials/enrich/), [EORTC/LYSA/FIL H10](https://onco.cc/trials/eortc-h10/), [ERA 223](https://onco.cc/trials/era-223/), [Erythropoietin for Management of Anemia Caused by Chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/trials/nct02890602/), [EuroNet-PHL-C2](https://onco.cc/trials/euronet-phl-c2/), [FIRSTANA](https://onco.cc/trials/firstana/), [FLYER](https://onco.cc/trials/flyer/), [GALLIUM](https://onco.cc/trials/gallium/), [GHSG HD18](https://onco.cc/trials/hd18/), [GOYA](https://onco.cc/trials/goya/), [International Collaborative Treatment Protocol For Children And Adolescents With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia](https://onco.cc/trials/nct01117441/), [JCOG9801](https://onco.cc/trials/jcog9801/), [KEYNOTE-921](https://onco.cc/trials/keynote-921/), [LCH-IV, International Collaborative Treatment Protocol for Children and Adolescents With Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis](https://onco.cc/trials/nct02205762/), [Long-Term Extension Study for Participants Previously Enrolled in an Exelixis-Sponsored Study](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07620574/), [Mosunetuzumab with lenalidomide in relapsed marginal zone lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/mosun-len-mzl/), [POLAR BEAR](https://onco.cc/trials/polar-bear/), [Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction With Dexrazoxane in Patients With Diffuse Large-B Cell Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06220032/), [PRIMA](https://onco.cc/trials/prima-follicular/), [PROSELICA](https://onco.cc/trials/proselica/), [PTLD-1](https://onco.cc/trials/ptld-1/), [READY](https://onco.cc/trials/ready-dasatinib/), [RELEVANCE](https://onco.cc/trials/relevance/), [Rituximab, Rasburicase, and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Young Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced B-Cell Leukemia or Lymphoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct00057811/), [Safety and Efficacy Study of Epcoritamab in Subjects With Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Richter's Syndrome](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04623541/), [Safety and Efficacy Trial of Epcoritamab Combinations in Subjects With B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04663347/), [Standard Systemic Therapy With or Without Definitive Treatment in Treating Participants With Metastatic Prostate Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct03678025/), [Study of Cabozantinib in Combination With Atezolizumab Versus Second NHT in Subjects With mCRPC](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04446117/), [Study of Subcutaneous Epcoritamab in Combination With Intravenous Rituximab and Oral Lenalidomide (R2) to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Disease ](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06191744/), [Substudy 01A: Safety and Efficacy of Opevesostat (MK-5684)-Based Treatment Combinations or Opevesostat Alone in Participants With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) (MK-5684-01A)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06353386/), [SWOG 9916](https://onco.cc/trials/swog-9916/), [SYNERGY](https://onco.cc/trials/synergy-custirsen/), [TAX 327](https://onco.cc/trials/tax-327/), [Treatment of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplasia](https://onco.cc/trials/nct00136084/), [Treatment Protocol of the NHL-BFM and the NOPHO Study Groups for Mature Aggressive B-cell Lymphoma and Leukemia in Children and Adolescents](https://onco.cc/trials/nct03206671/), [Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Epcoritamab in Japanese Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory (R/R) B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (R/R B-NHL)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct04542824/), [TRIANGLE](https://onco.cc/trials/triangle/), [TROG 99.03](https://onco.cc/trials/trog-99-03/), [TROPIC](https://onco.cc/trials/tropic/), [Tucidinostat in Combination With CHOP in Newly Diagnosed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma With Follicular Helper of T Cell Phenotype](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06947967/)
- key papers: [Abiraterone in metastatic prostate cancer without previous chemotherapy](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-abiraterone-acetate-prostate-n-engl-j-med-2013/), [Dose-adjusted EPOCH-R compared with R-CHOP as frontline therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: clinical outcomes of the phase III intergroup trial Alliance/CALGB 50303](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-calgb-50303-da-epoch-r-vs-r-chop-jco-2019/), [Early positron emission tomography response-adapted treatment in stage I and II Hodgkin lymphoma: final results of the randomized EORTC/LYSA/FIL H10 trial](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-eortc-h10-pet-adapted-early-hodgkin-jco-2017/), [Early relapse of follicular lymphoma after R-CHOP defines patients at high risk for death: an analysis from the National LymphoCare Study](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-casulo-pod24-follicular-lymphoma-jco-2015/), [Four versus six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy in combination with six applications of rituximab in patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma with favourable prognosis (FLYER)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-flyer-four-vs-six-cycles-r-chop-lancet-2019/), [Ibrutinib and rituximab versus immunochemotherapy in patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (ENRICH): a randomised, open-label, phase 2/3 superiority trial](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-enrich-ibrutinib-rituximab-mantle-cell-lancet-2025/), [LATITUDE: abiraterone plus prednisone in newly diagnosed high-risk metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-latitude-nejm-2017/), [Obinutuzumab or rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone in previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-goya-obinutuzumab-vs-rituximab-chop-dlbcl-jco-2017/), [PET-adapted treatment for newly diagnosed advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (AHL2011): a randomised, multicentre, non-inferiority, phase 3 study](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-ahl2011-pet-adapted-treatment-advanced-hodgkin-lancet-oncol-2019/), [PET-guided treatment in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HD18): final results of an open-label, international, randomised phase 3 trial by the German Hodgkin Study Group](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-ghsg-hd18-pet-guided-escalated-beacopp-lancet-2017/), [Randomized phase III trial of ibrutinib and R-CHOP in non-germinal centre B-cell diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PHOENIX)](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-phoenix-ibrutinib-r-chop-non-gcb-dlbcl-jco-2019/), [Randomized trial of systemic therapy after involved-field radiotherapy in patients with early-stage follicular lymphoma: TROG 99.03](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-trog-99-03-radiotherapy-systemic-therapy-early-follicular-jco-2018/), [SWOG 9916: docetaxel and estramustine compared with mitoxantrone and prednisone for advanced refractory prostate cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-petrylak-swog-9916-docetaxel-estramustine-nejm-2004/), [TAX 327: docetaxel plus prednisone or mitoxantrone plus prednisone for advanced prostate cancer](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-tannock-tax-327-docetaxel-prednisone-nejm-2004/), [TROPIC: prednisone plus cabazitaxel or mitoxantrone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after docetaxel](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-de-bono-tropic-cabazitaxel-lancet-2010/), [VCAP-AMP-VECP compared with biweekly CHOP for adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG9801](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-jcog9801-vcap-amp-vecp-adult-t-cell-leukaemia-jco-2007/)
- ideas: [Randomised evidence for the T-cell lymphomas, including the ones that are not in Europe or North America](https://onco.cc/ideas/lymphoma-ev-randomised-evidence-for-the-t-cell-lymphomas/), [The drugs that cure lymphoma, and the places that do not have them](https://onco.cc/ideas/lymphoma-ev-the-drugs-that-cure-and-the-places-without-them/)
- targets: [Glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1)](https://onco.cc/targets/glucocorticoid-receptor/)

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